A significant day in North London!

On Sunday June 22nd 240FLM and crew made its way across North London to attend Stoke Newington fire stations annual open day, an event designed to embrace the 225th anniversary of a key  figure in the history of the London Fire Brigade.

James Braidwood had been instrumental in the development of the 19th Century London Fire Engine Establishment, the forerunner of today’s London Fire Brigade. In 1833, James left his home town of Edinburgh where he has been working as the Master of Fire Engines at the worlds first municipal fire brigade, a position he held aged 24, to become the Superintendant of the London Fire Engine Establishment.

The 22nd June is also synonymous as it was the day in 1861 that James was killed whilst leading his men during fire fighting operations in Tooley Street. London SE1. Braidwood died in the Tooley Street fire, located near London Bridge Station, when a collapsing wall crushed him several hours after the fire began, It took two days to recover his body.
His heroism led to a massive funeral on 29 June 1861 in which the funeral cortege stretched 1.5 miles (2.4 km) behind the hearse, a public spectacle almost equal to the fire itself. The fire, which continued to burn for a fortnight, caused damage valued at £2,000,000, equivalent to almost half a million pounds at today’s rate - and was considered the worst fire since the Great Fire of London in 1666.
Braidwood is buried in Abney Park cemetery, next door to Stoke Newington Fire Station. The grave lies on a path edge towards the south, rendering it relatively easy to see in this congested and overgrown cemetery. His wife, Mary Ann Jane Braidwood (1806–1871) was buried with him. He was buried near his stepson, also a fireman, who had died six years earlier.
The grave was long lost to public view, however, in 1981, and following much research by the then Stoke Newington Fire Station White Watch Station Officer, Liam Hackett, the precise location of the grave was found. Hackett then spent the rest of the summer clearing the site and restoring the lettering on the monument.
The 240FLM group were invited to provide a representative to join the memorial service beside Braidwood’s grave prior to the doors opening for the station open day.
Retired Stoke Newington Sub Officer and 240FLM treasurer Trevor Barnwell, joined the Brigades senior officers, relatives of James Braidwood and many friends and supporters at the graveside. Those present included Diana Hamilton-Jones who is Braidwood’s great, great, great, grand-daughter and ex Stoke Newington fire station Station Officer Liam Hackett.
A flame coloured rose was laid on behalf of the 240FLM group and following the short service, the assembled group of guests then made their way back the short distance to the fire station where the open day had already begun.
240FLM ladders were raised on the station forecourt, much to the glee of many hundreds of visitors.
The publics enjoyment (and fascination at how well preserved our appliance is) was clear to see, many people wishing to engage with the crew to learn more.
A wonderful day of commemoration, celebration and participation of which the group were proud to have been a part of.


Images used to illustrate this article are copyright protected to Paul Wood. No unauthrised reproduction or copying is permitted without prior approval. Thankyou