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Lost London Firefighter Photos Found
8 Apr
Summary
- Newly discovered photos show London's first public firefighters.
- Portraits identify early officers and personnel in uniform.
- Images provide a glimpse into firefighting over 160 years ago.
A collection of previously uncatalogued portrait photographs depicting London's first public firefighters has been unearthed by curators at the London Fire Brigade. The images were discovered during a recent inventory of the brigade's historical archives, having been stored away for more than ten years without prior cataloguing.
These formal portraits capture early firefighters and officers, many posing in their distinctive uniforms and holding their brass helmets. Cross-referencing these photographs with brigade records from the time has allowed for the identification of some individuals who played a crucial role in London's safety during the nascent years of its publicly funded fire service.
Notable individuals identified include John Cliff Bridges, who served over 40 years in firefighting, joining the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) from the London Fire Engine Establishment (LFEE). Another identified firefighter is John E Barker, who transitioned from the Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire (RSPLF) to the MFB. These photographs offer a unique historical perspective on the evolution of firefighting over the past 160 years.
