Fire Fighting Medals & Awards

Lot 1255    Day 1    Fire Fighting Medals & Awards

Estimate $850
Bid at live.noble.com.au

UNITED FIRE BRIGADES ASSOCIATION OF N Z, Long Service Medal for five years service, in silver (38mm), no maker (Teutenberg design), no ribbon or buckle bar, reverse inscribed 'Presented To/Fireman P.Peterson/By The/Grahamstown Vol Fire Brigade/For 5 Years Service/Dating from April 7th 1879' (cfD&C.L3; O&D.115). Small edge nick, otherwise toned very fine and very rare first type.

The following courtesy of National Library of New Zealand, Papers Past, from the Thames Star, 3 December 1885.^^There was a large attendance of the members of the above Brigade at the engine-house, Albert street, last evening, for the purpose of bringing to a termination their existence as a Brigade, and receiving medals for the invaluable services so willingly rendered in the past. His Worship the Mayor (Col. Fraser) presided.^^Supt. G. Price explained that he had been deputed to request Col. Fraser to make the presentation that evening of the medals awarded to some of their members for long service, to which he had kindly consented. The Mayor said he had noticed that some of the medals had as many as four bars; but he thought that for such a length of service the recipient should receive a pension rather than resign. He then presented to the Superintendent of the Brigade (Mr G. Price), who had joined the Brigade in 1872, and had held office for the last ten years, with a medal having four bars attached, and in doing so, said that it gave him great pleasure as Mayor to make the presentation. He referred to the long and valuable services which the Brigade had rendered the town and its inhabitants, and thanked them on their behalf. He regretted that they were about to lose, though be hoped only for a short time, the services of a force which had received recognition of their efficiency from the United Association, and the people of Dunedin and Auckland. Superintendent Price briefly returned thanks for the presentation.^^The Mayor then presented the medals, which are of silver, and obtained from home through the United Fire Brigades' Association; they are of handsome design, and represent service of five years and upwards, the name of the recipient being engraved on the back of each. Other two medals have not yet come to hand, but are now on the way out. The following was the order of distribution, the Mayor accompanying each presentation with suitable remarks:-^Capt. Robt. Pearce, a medal with two bars, for service of 9 1/4 years. Foreman E. Brownlow, medal with two bars, 9 1/4 years. Engine-keeper J. Wright-Anderson, medal with four bars, for service of 13 1/2 years. In addition the following testimonial was read:-^"G.V.F.B., Thames, New Zealand. We, the members of the Grahamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade, have much pleasure in certifying that James Wright-Anderson has occupied the position of engine-keeper of the Brigade for the last fourteen years, the last ten years having been under the present officers, and during that time the appliances have been kept in a most satisfactory condition on every emergency-Signed on behalf of the Brigade. G. Price, Superintendent, Robt. Pearce, Captain. E. Brownlow, Foreman Hose-reel. H. Newman, Foreman of Engine. B. Berryman, Foreman of Ladders."^Secretary, W.E. Harris, medal with 3 bars, for service of 11 years. Fireman W. Cole, medal for service of 6 3/4 years.^Fireman Peter Peterson, medal for service of 6 3/4 years.^Fireman Henry Moase, medal for service of 6 years.^Fireman W.Cobb, medal for service of 5 years 2 months.^Fireman Henry Newman, medal for 5 1/4 years.^^On the motion of Captain Pearce, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Mayor for his services, who, in reply, said be trusted it would be far from the last occasion on which he should meet them, and that after a short spell the public would again receive their services. The meeting terminated with three hearty cheers for the Mayor.