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Fire at Ruswarp 1911

A fire occurred on the 25th September 1911 at Ruswarp Flour, this image is from a series taken by John Thomas Ross an active photographer and postcard producer from Whitby; he apparently cycled to Ruswarp upon notification of the event.
Image courtesy of John G Hannah, information courtesy of ”Whitby Photographers by Ruth Wilcock”.

Ring that Bell

Another image of the opening of Loftus refurbished Fire Station.
Front:  John Andre, Peter Glover, (Station Officer) Alan Tose, Neil Garbutt.
Middle: Alan Kirkwood, Harold Found, George Bell, Steve Verrill, (Driver),
On the ladder: Graham George, Chris Marsay, Dave Lees.
The Rescue Vehicle in the background still has the older warning bell system, instead of the modern siren.

Image courtesy Dave Lees.

Hear the Siren!

Bill Hicks, and happy group of children, outside Loftus Fire Station, date possible early 1970s. Were you one of the group, did you sit in the engine and hear the siren? Please let us know.

Paul Hassan tells us:”The appliance in the background is a Dodge K850 water tender built by Carmichael of Worcester. This was one of the first new fire appliances ordered by the newly formed Cleveland County Fire Brigade in 1974/75. The photograph must be dated after this time. Any further information on the appliance would be appreciated: registration etc. I remember this appliance whilst growing up in Guisborough”. Craig White advises: “There is another photograph on here showing the Loftus crew training at ICI with the rear of a fire engine visible . The registration no. is JDC735N which comes up as a red 1975 Dodge on DVLA website so is probably this one”.

See post ‘Loftus Fire Crew – 1978 – @ ICI Wilton on Exercise’.

Image courtesy Dave Lees; thanks to Paul Hassan and Craig White for the updates.

Old And New

The opening of the refurbished Fire station at Loftus, in 1983.
Back row (in uniform): Harold Found, Steve Verrill, Neil Garbutt, George Bell, Alan Kirkwood, Alan Tose.
Middle row: ? Warrell, Pete Waite, Jack Andrews (Retired Firemen), Peter Glover ( Station Officer), Albert Legg, Miffy Wood (Retired Firemen).
Front row: Graham George, Dave Lees, Chris Marsay, John Andre. With photographs of the old and new Station.
Image courtesy of Dave Lees.

Ruswarp Flour Mill Fire

Do you know anyone in the picture? We now know from David Richardson: ”The fire occurred on the 25th September 1911, couldn’t tell you who anyone one is though.” Other information now available telling us: ”that the fire was discovered by two employees who had started their early morning shift and they alerted the Ruswarp policeman; he asked a local resident to telephone Whitby Police, who in turn alerted the Whitby Fire Brigade. Having experienced difficulty in procuring, it took them nearly an hour and a half to travel the one and a quarter miles with their horse-drawn manual engine. The fire was virtually burnt out when the brigade arrived at 4.20.” it is apparent that this image must have been taken not long after as there still appears to be smoke (or dust) emerging from the upper window spaces! The image is possibly from a series taken by John Thomas Ross an active photographer and postcard producer from Whitby. Photo journalism in it’s infancy.

Many thanks David Richardson for the dating. Other information from ”Whitby Photographers by Ruth Wilcock”

Loftus Fire Station Crew 1970?

Loftus Fire Station Crew, believed to have been about 1970?

Back Row: Keith Gallilee, Albert Legg, Alan Tose, Fred Grey, Ivan Gallilee, Ken Verrill, John Kidson.

Front Row: Richard George, Bill Hicks, Brian Grey, Michael Kilvington.

The name of the fire officer (middle of the back row) was unknown and believed to be a visiting full-time Fire Service officer; but Paul Grey tells us: ”Chief Fireman top row in the middle is Fred Grey (my granddad!).”

Image courtesy of Eileen Hicks and thanks to Tony, Michael Kilvington and Paul Grey for all the names.

Loftus Fire Crew – 1978 – at ICI Wilton on exercise

Loftus Fire Station Crew on exercise at ICI Wilton in 1978.

Back row: Ken Verrill, Colin Gallilee, Ivan Gallilee (Station Officer @ Loftus), Jerry McElvaney.

Front Row: Bill Hicks, Keith Gallilee.

Bill Hicks worked at ICI Wilton as a fireman and subsequently became Station Officer @ Loftus, replacing Ivan Gallilee. ICI Wilton were very supportive of local retained fire crews and offered additional training sessions. Ivan was father of Colin and Keith.

John Preston advises: “The Gallilee family had had a long firefighting tradition, Ivan’s dad (my step grandfather) Fred was also in the brigade and I can recall him telling stories of having to catch the horse to pull the pump.”

Image courtesy of Eileen Hicks, thank to John Preston for the update on the Gallilee family.

Loftus Fire Brigade

This old fire engine is beautiful, we are unsure as to what make it is possibly a Dennis or a Bedford; but it is also long enough ago for the firemen to be carrying the traditional short fire-axe and using wooden ladders.

Now – there are eleven people in the picture and only nine names shown – shame on the author for not knowing every name!  Who are they? and is this the same building as the present Fire Station? Names still to be filled-in include: E. Bannister, B. Warrell, P. White. Standing on running board of engine and believed to be the driver: Fred Gallilee.

Left to Right: E. J. Bannister , G. Wallace, Ivan Gallilee, Fire Officer Outhwaite, R. (Miff) Wood, Divisional Officer Winter, Fire Officer ? , Wilf Waite, John (Jack) Andrew.

Craig W. tells us: ”The fire engine is a Dennis probably a ‘Light Four’ model.” John Preston advised: “The driver is Fred Gallilee, Ivan Gallilee’s dad (and my step grandfather).” M. Flegg (nee Bannister) told the Archive: “Far left is my father E. J. Bannister.”

Image courtesy of Loftus Town Crier, thanks to John Preston for the information regarding Fred Gallilee, also M. Flegg and Craig W. for the updates.