Auxiliary Fire Service

Chief - Capt. J Gordon durham
Chief of AFS, decontamination and demolition services Norman Hindmarsh
District Controller ARP - J Owen
Station Officer J. Savage
Fireman - J Cowie
AFS - Thomas R Gray
AFS - Joseph C Inskipp
AFS - Joseph Wardle
Principle guests and officials at a dinner held in the Crown Hotel Boldon Colliery by Boldon U.D.C. Auxiliary Fire Service. Included in the photograph are Mr John Owen, Councillors T. Davis, J. Summerbell, J Tracey, Mr Norman Hindmarsh, Mr W. Sewell, Mr M E Bell, Capt E. Hart and Fireman J. Cowie.
Mr J Owen District Controller Mr N Hindmarsh Chief of AFS, decontamination and Demolition Services
Mr J. McIntyre, Deputy Regional Fire Brigade Inspector, Looking at a trailer-pump during a competition of A.F.S. Units of Boldon U.D.C., held on Saturday at North Road School, Boldon Colliery.

Source: The Sunderland Echo and Shipping Gazette
Date: Mondays, December 9, 1940
N.F.S. personnel giving a demonstration with a turn-table fire escape during an exercise at East Boldon

Source: The Sunderland Echo and Shipping Gazette
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 1942
Fire at East Boldon
A fire caused about £1000 damage to the Grey Horse Inn, East Boldon near Sunderland Yesterday morning. About four O'clock the outbreak was discovered and the Boldon Fire Brigade informed, but owing to the extent of the fire, they were unable to cope with it and sought the assitance of the Sunderland Brigade. The latter on arriving with a motor engine found that the billiard room and two rooms above were involved, but were successful in confining the fire to the portion of the building in which it had commenced, and after an hours work, extinguished the outbreak. The building is at present in the occupation of military officers, and it is supposed that the outbreak was caused owing to a lighted match having been thrown on to the billiard room floor.

Source: The Newcastle Daily Journal
Date: Saturday, June 2, 1917

Bridge at Boldon Ablaze for Two Hours
Fire broke out last night on the viaduct bridge, a wooden structure, near Boldon Colliery Station, over which runs a mineral line from the station to the colliery yard. The alarm was given by two brothers, Ronald Reid and Maurice Reid, employes of the railway company. They rushed to the station and informed the stationmaster, Mr J Dunning. Fire extinguishers and buckets of water were used until the arrival of the police and Boldon Colliery Fire Brigade, under Captain H. Mather.

Ten Beams Destroyed

The brigade found it difficult to fight the flames owing to the fire being under the centre of the bridge and about 80 feet fom the stream below. A Band of helpers with the police under Sergeant Slack and the Fire Brigade, got the fire under control after two hour's work. It is believed that the fire originated in the decking of the bridge and spread to the 18-inch beams underneath. Ten beams in all were destroyed, weakening the structure of the bridge.

Source: The Evening Chronicle
Date: Monday June 26 1939

Fire Captain Retiring

26 years in Boldon Colliery Brigade

Recalls Exciting Episodes.

Mr Henry Mather, of Boldon Colliery, who is within three months of his 71st birthday, will retire at the end of June after 26 years service in Boldon Colliery Fire Brigade, the last 21 years as captain. Mr Mather can recall many exciting episodes during his long term of service. He will be succeeded by Mr Edward Hart, who has been a member of the brigade for ten years. Mr Mather who was born at Murton, started work at North Biddick Colliery when he was nine and a half years old. He went to Boldon Colliery 55 years ago and retired at 65. He has been a member of Durham Miners Association for 60 years and recently received a Pioneer Diploma.

Source: Sunderland Echo and Shipping Gazette
Date: Friday june 23 1939





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