Fire Fighting Medals & Awards

Lot 1269    Day 1    Fire Fighting Medals & Awards

Estimate $700
Bid at live.noble.com.au

UNITED FIRE BRIGADES ASSOCIATION OF N Z, Long Service Medal for five years service, in silver (39mm) by A.T. (Anton Teutenberg, Auckland), with (5) 2 Years Service bars, reverse inscribed 'Foreman/W.A.Browning/by the/Palmerston N./V.Fire Brigade/Dec 1889' (D&C.L3; O&D.115). Toned, extremely fine in original case of issue.

With photos and research.^^Courtesy The Cyclopedia of New Zealand:^Browning, William Arthur, Carriage Builder, Wheelwright, and General Smith, Main Street, Palmerston North. This business, which is one of the largest of its kind in Palmerston North, was established by Mr. Parr, and acquired by the present proprietor in the year 1884. In 1892 the premises and stock were destroyed by fire, but Mr Browning started afresh in Main Street, and subsequently rebuilt the old premises also, in order to cope with the increase of business. Coaches and carriages of every description are built, and a specialty is made in fitting them with rubber tyres. Mr Browning is the sole manufacturer of Piercy and Company's patent fencing. He was born in the year 1864, in Portsmouth, England, and was educated at Lyndhurst, Hants. In 1876 he came to New Zealand with his parents, who settled at Doyleston, Canterbury. Mr Browning was apprenticed to the coachbuilding trade at Ashburton, remained there for two years, and was then transferred to Leeston, where he worked for six years. He afterwards removed to New Plymouth, thence went to Stratford, remained there for twelve months, and finally settled in Palmerston North, where he has been very successful. Mr Browning was a member of the Palmerston North Fire Brigade for seventeen years, a member of the Mounted Rifles for six years, and he has also served on the Borough Council. In 1884 he married Miss Johnson, and has one son and three daughters.