Yeadon Fire Brigade 1911

N03 + FF080

1: In an area dominated by mills containing large amounts of combustible materials, the need for a more professional fire service was recognised by Yeadon Council.
Mill fires occurred often and each mill owner made rudimentary provision to deal with fires but on occasion this was not sufficient.

    In 1911 Yeadon Council appointed the Council Surveyor as Superintendent of the Fire Brigade and paid for uniforms and equipment for 7 men.
The equipment was stored in a wooden shed near the Town Hall.
The Brigade Captain was a Mr Parkinson, seen here on the left.
Harry Naylor became Captain in 1913, the men were paid 2/- per month plus 1/- for each drill.

    Jack Pullan Waite was in charge by 1919 when the retaining fees had risen to 2/6d per man for cleaning and practice meetings, 3/6d  for the first hour when attending a fire then 2/6d for subsequent hours with a retaining fee of £2 a year for an officer, £1 a year for men.
The fire cart in this photo is drawn by a horse, items of pumping equipment are fixed to each end of the cart.

     It was 1925 before a fire station was built on New Road Side by the joint Councils of Horsforth, Yeadon Guiseley and Rawdon.

2: Pictured with their cart, hoses and equipment are the 11 men who belonged to the fledgling fire service.