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I was born and raised in Oxford city and enjoyed a close relationship with my maternal grandfather. He was a proud Freeman of the city and as the father of two daughters often expressed his disappointment that he was unable to continue this in his family, as then it could only be passed on through the male line. However, after some research he discovered a rule which had been in abeyance for a number of years e.g.
“that if apprenticed to a Freeman within the city and successfully completing their training then the apprentice would be eligible to apply to for the Freedom of the city”.
I was born and raised in Oxford city and enjoyed a close relationship with my maternal grandfather. He was a proud Freeman of the city and as the father of two daughters often expressed his disappointment that he was unable to continue this in his family, as then it could only be passed on through the male line. However, after some research he discovered a rule which had been in abeyance for a number of years e.g.
Coincidently, I had been apprenticed to an electrical firm whose owner was a Freeman. After some canvasing by my Grandfather I was admitted, the first by this method for several years and have now been a Freeman of Oxford for over 50 years.
In the long summer of 1970, aged 23 and whilst convalescing from a serious motorcycle accident, I had the opportunity to contemplate my future and in particular my employment. After some deliberation I determined that I wanted a career that offered prospects for advancement, excitement and importantly, the opportunity to render assistance to the general public.
Therefore, in the early Autumn once restored to rude health, I walked with much trepidation through the doors of the old George Street Fire station for an interview for a ‘Firemen’s’ position with the City of Oxford Fire Brigade.
The brigade had been experiencing great difficulty recruiting due to the much higher wages available at the Cowley factories. (A fireman’s wage in 1970 was £15 for 56 hour week which could easily be doubled for shorter hours at the car factory). Therefore, as the only applicant and after several tests, I was informed that I had passed and within an hour of my arrival, was ushered into the office of the Chief Fire Officer, Sidney Boulter GM who informed me that subject to a medical and successful completion of a training course in Manchester, I was destined to become a member of the Brigade. Little did I realise that this would lead to a 30-year rewarding and fulfilling career, initially with the city Brigade and then on local government reorganisation 1974 the newly formed Oxfordshire Fire Service.
The old George street station was like a museum and I was fascinated by the many sepia photographs of groups of Firemen in formal poses with trophies won in competitions and ancient fire engines, which lined the walls of the first-floor clubroom.
These and the magnificent preserved steam fire engine ‘Victoria’, served to kindle my interest in the Brigades history. Further investigations indicated that the Oxford Volunteer Brigade had played an important role in the development of effective firefighting, not only within the city but also on a national level. Early in my new career I determined that the story of this fine Brigade should be told and also placed into its correct historical context.
I decided that I should write a book which would be titled ‘Always Ready Always Willing’. This was the Volunteer Brigades Latin motto which is engraved on the transom which still exists over the old Fire station entrance door in George Street Oxford.
The product of many years research “Always Ready Always Willing” will be the story of Fires & Firefighting through the ages and in Oxford city and will chronicle the earliest firefighting organisations from the Romans, Insurance, private brigades, volunteer and finally professional units.
It will describe the impact of major fires in the city from the 10th century, when the Danes ransacked and burnt the city, the ‘Great Fire of London’ and its impact on Oxford and firefighting arrangements in general.
It will also detail the disastrous and tragic fire which occurred in 1870 at 96 St Aldates opposite the town hall.
The public outcry at the lack of a fire brigade which ensued, would lead to the formation of the Oxford Volunteer Brigade who would protect the local populace for over 70 years until the advent of the second world war.
The book will conclude with the demise of the Oxford City Brigade in 1974, upon local government reorganisation and it is anticipated that it will be published later this year.
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