Special thanks to Gary Chapman in helping with the images.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade posing outside their Station in Market Street in 1873.
A fire brigade for the town had been discussed for many years. Mr. John Dingley put forward a scheme in 1865 which came to nothing. However the Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade were formed in 1872 with John Ching being its first Captain at the ripe old age of 69. He actually resigned from being a town councillor to take up his role as did Mr. G. G. White who eventually replaced him as Captain. The Brigade first used a building in Market street (where the Tower cinema was once situated) for their engine, then rented premises in Exeter street was used. It wasn’t until the construction of the new Town Hall in 1887 that a purpose built engine house was available. This is where the Brigade were to operate from for the next few decades until the advent of the motorised engine in 1936. In 1879 partly connected with the Fire Brigade, a Salvage Corps. was formed with Thomas Pomeroy Trood as Captain with Claude Peter and Charles Parsons his lieutenants.
Athill Farm fire in February 1929.
This only came about after a series of fires where the horse drawn steam engine failed to either get to a fire, the 1926 St. Joseph’s fire where St. Stephens hill was so badly frozen that the horses could not get the engine to the premises and in 1929 at Athill Farm , Egloskerry (above) when there were no horses available so the Brigade could not take the steam engine and all they could do was to prevent the fire from spreading. A short term measure was to pull the steam engine with a tractor hired from Prouts Garage.With the new motorised engine there was a need for larger premises than that offered by the Town Hall building and as such the Brigade found themselves in perpetual movement with engine houses as far a field as St. Stephens during the Second World War.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the Brigade first had as its captain Mr. W. D. Philp, who was followed by Mr. Grace, then the Borough Surveyor, then by Mr. W. T. Mills, and then by Mr. J. Burford, another Borough Surveyor. Mr. W. E. Miller took over from him as captain just before the Second World War, during which the old Borough Fire Brigade became part of the Fire Force 19 – Division E – Sub-Division 2 of the National Fire Service in 1941, and Mr. Miller’s rank was changed to that of Company Officer. The move to the Brigade being made part of the National Fire Service was due to non standard equipment and procedures causing problems during the War when fire appliances and crews were mobilised outside their own areas to assist with the bombing raids of the blitz. The Launceston crews saw a lot of action helping Plymouth during the blitz. During this time as well as the Fire Station, the service also rented garages at the Dockey, Race Hill and at St. Stephens (below).
Launceston Fire Brigade as part of the ‘National Fire Service’ at their St. Stephens garage during the Second World War.
Mr. P. Lampey was the next officer in charge, and with the coming of peacetime conditions, the system was again changed and the local brigade became the Launceston unit of the Cornwall County Fire Service, the title it still holds today. Mr. Lampey was succeded as Station Officer by Mr. W. E. Vague. He illustrates the family tradition which prevails in the unit, for his grandfather, Mr. William Pinch, was a member of the Launceston Brigade in 1883 and over the years many sons have followed their fathers in serving the Launceston Fire service. During the Second World War, the Launceston service played their part in the blitz in Plymouth, and there was a representitive from Launceston at every single blitz on the city.
Belle Vue House.
In 1958 on the site of the old tenement building, Belle Vue (left) in Westgate street a new purpose built fire-station was constructed at a cost of £14,000. Excavation work was undertaken by Messrs, E. Dennis and Son, of Camelford, and the construction work was carried out by Messrs. Hobbs and Knight, Ltd., Of Launceston and Bude. The initial equipment for the new station comprised of a pump escape, a water tender with a built-in 500-gallon per minute pump (also carrying a 400-gallon per minute portable pump), a hose-carrier with some 3000 to 4000 feet of hose towing a trailer pump, and a half-ton four-wheel drive wireless vehicle fitted with a “first-aid” tank of some 50 gallons capacity and a hose-reel. The station was designed and the work supervised by the County Architect, Mr. F. K. Hicklin. The old station by the town hall was subsequently leased to the Launceston Amateur Dramatic Society in 1960 by the town council and ironically has outlived its successor which was demolished in 2010 after the Fire service moved to a new station at Scarne (below). Launceston Community Fire Station covers the largest station ground of any Cornish fire station. Owing to the stations close proximity to the Devon / Cornwall border, it also acts as first attendance to a large part of North and West Devon. Overall, the station covers well over 200 square miles spread over both counties.
Launceston Fire Service outside the new Station at Scarne in 2003.
Launceston Fire Brigade Video’s
Launceston Fire Brigade Gallery
1885 Fire that destroyed the residence of Mr. J. Treleaven at No. 1, Ridgegrove Villas.
Launceston Fire Brigade at the top of St. Thomas Road c.1900.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade and Steam Pump outside the Fire Station in Western Road c.1910.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1914 with Mr Prout who loaned the tractor.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1914.
Launceston Fire Brigade with their first steam pump. Photo courtesy of Lawrence House Museum.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1937 visit of King George to Launceston. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Fire Brigade during the Second World War.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Fire on the Launceston Lifton road in August 1939 when a tar sprayer containing 350 gallons of tar caught fire which spread to the freshly laid tar on the road.
Launceston Fire Brigade demonstration in 1942.
Launceston Fire Brigade Drill in the Town Centre 1942 with Firemen George Street, Bill Street, Bill Vague and Bill Edgecumbe.
Launceston Fire Brigade demonstration in 1942.
Launceston Fire Brigade Drill in the Town Centre in 1942.
Launceston Fire Brigade Drill in the Town Centre in 1942.
Launceston Fire Brigade Drill in the Town Centre in 1942.
January 1949 and a fire that destroyed Venn Farmhouse at Virginstow.
Launceston fire Brigade decorating the Southgate in 1952.
Launceston Fire Brigade putting up garlands in Launceston Town Centre possibly 1953.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade after a fire. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Fire Brigade in 1952. BACK ROW:
Les Olver, George Steer, Bill Gregory, Jim Bennett, Alan Callow, Stuart Martin, Not known,
Eric Folley, Jack Wotton, Bris Gomm. FRONT ROW: John Savey, William ‘Billy’ Steer, Sam Hockin, Percy Lampey, Bill Vague, - - - Olver, George ‘Nutty’ Mules.
Launceston Fire Brigade dinner dance at the White Hart Hotel in the 1950's.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Fire Brigade presentation to W. H. Hamlyn by Chief Fire Officer Christmas on his 20 years service in 1956.
Launceston Fire Brigade 1959 annual dinner held at the White Hart with ex Sub. Officer E. S. Hocking being presented with an engraved tobacco jar and two pipes for his 24 years service.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Fire Brigade in 1958.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1960's Outing. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Eric Folley displaying a decent amount of medals with the Mounce brothers looking on.
Happy Mounce's Retirement. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
'Happy' Mounces retirement from the Launceston Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman
Launceston Fire Brigade in the 1960's.
Fire at Beare's, Boxes Shop, St. Giles on the Heath in 1967.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
The Opening of the new Launceston Fire Station in 1958. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Flooding at Newport from the early 1960's
Flooding at Newport from the early 1960's
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade on Parade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Volunteer Fire Brigade on Parade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Fire Brigade in 1979.
Launceston Fire Brigade in 1974.
1970's Fire at Greystone Quarry.
Launceston Fire Brigade Demonstration in front of Prospective North Cornwall Conservative, Gerry Neale in 1976. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Fire Brigade Demonstration in front of Prospective North Cornwall Conservative, Gerry Neale in 1976. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Fire Brigade Demonstration in front of Prospective North Cornwall Conservative, Gerry Neale in 1976. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Fire Station at Westgate Street in 1979. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Lorry Fire being extinguished by Launceston Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Lorry Fire being extinguished by Launceston Fire Brigade. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Tintagel Jet Fighter Crash which Launceston Fire Brigade attended. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Tintagel Jet Fighter Crash which Launceston Fire Brigade attended. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Tintagel Jet Fighter Crash which Launceston Fire Brigade attended. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Tintagel Jet Fighter Crash which Launceston Fire Brigade attended. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Tintagel Jet Fighter Crash which Launceston Fire Brigade attended. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Tintagel Jet Fighter Crash which Launceston Fire Brigade attended. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Tintagel Jet Fighter Crash which Launceston Fire Brigade attended. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Tintagel Jet Fighter Crash which Launceston Fire Brigade attended. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Tintagel Jet Fighter Crash which Launceston Fire Brigade attended. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Tintagel Jet Fighter Crash which Launceston Fire Brigade attended. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Tintagel Jet Fighter Crash which Launceston Fire Brigade attended. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1979 Tintagel Jet Fighter Crash which Launceston Fire Brigade attended. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston Fire Brigade in 1981- this pump was new to the station in 1966 and replaced in 1983. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
1980's chimney fire at Trecarrel.
Eric Smith's retirement from the Launceston Fire Brigade in 1983. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman
Eric Smith's retirement from the Launceston Fire Brigade in 1983. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman
Launceston Fire Brigade attend a Coach fire at Pages Cross 1970’s.
Launceston Fire Brigade attend a Coach fire at Pages Cross 1970’s (note St. Mary’s Hospital in the background. Photo G. Chapman
Fire at Charlie Cottle's.
Les Olver's retirement in 1976.
Launceston Fire Brigade long service ceremony in 1976
Eric Folley's retirement in 1976.
Bedford TK tender leaves Launceston Fire Station in the 1970's. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Car fire on Pennygillam roundabout in 1985. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman
Car fire on Pennygillam roundabout in 1985. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman
Launceston Fire Brigade attend a fire at Launceston Police Station in 1985. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Ford Capri Fire on St. Thomas Road in 1980. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Ford Capri Fire on St. Thomas Road in 1980. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Ford Capri Fire on St. Thomas Road in 1980. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Youth Club Fire.
Market street fire in 1984 inside view. photo Gary Chapman.
Market Street fire in 1984. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Launceston College fire in 1988. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Hamblys, Dunheved ironworks fire in 1989.
Hamblys, Dunheved ironworks fire in 1989.Photo courtesy of Dave Sandercock.
Hamblys, Dunheved ironworks fire in 1989.
Hamblys, Dunheved ironworks fire in 1989.
Hamblys, Dunheved ironworks fire in 1989 with Roy Sanders looking on.
Harry Willis's retirement.
Retirement of Tony Sandercock and Graham Binding in 1983.
Early 1990's lorry fire. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Spry's Garage fire in 1992. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Spry's Garage fire in 1992. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
Spry's Garage fire in 1992. Photo courtesy of Gary Chapman.
The back of Launceston Fire Station in Westgate Street. Photo courtesy of Jim Edwards.
Launceston Fire Station at Westgate Station demolition.
Launceston Fire Station at Westgate Station demolition.
The new Launceston Fire Station at Scarne.
Article on the Raddalls fire in Westgate Street in November 1968.Article from 1995 and the rescue of an elderly couple at Ham Mill by Roger Willis.Eyre’s Castle Dyke fire report from April 1914.
