Leicester Fire Brigade Roll of Honour 1914
Leicester Fire Brigade Roll of Honour, 1914
This, the LEICESTER Fire Brigade ‘Roll of Honour’ was produced in 1914 to show who, from the Leicester (city) Fire Brigade, were serving ‘King and Country.
I bought the Roll from an Ebay seller in March 2021 and is currently stored between 2 acid free cards. The previous owner doesn’t remember buying it. He found it in a box of items he believes he purchased from a boot sale at least 20 years ago.
Move your Mouse over the image to magnify the Roll...
It has lost some of its sparkle and appears to have some water/damp damage to the bottom. However, I don’t think this detracts from its lament and artistic beauty.
It holds a very similar format and form to other Roll of Honour of the time; all of a patriotic nature. This one shows 4 heraldic crests, with the colours of the Triple Entente including Britain, France and Russia; with Belgium being the 4th. It includes a reduced form of the Royal Coat of Arms surrounded by national symbols of the Thistle and Rose.
Also shows the ‘slightly’ open wreath overlaying the Union Flag and White Ensign, (Naval). It includes the Coat of Arms for the City of Leicester; note the Wyvern sitting on top of Leicester‘s
'Gules, a cinquefoil pierced ermine'.
The Wyvern of Leicester... Lost in history! However, if you look, you can see the Wyvern in many places around the City; e.g. the Clock tower, New Walk Museum entrance floor and the Crown Building, Newark Street.
In the centre is the ‘Roll of Honour’, listing the names of 9 men who were at the time serving ‘King and Country’.
Serving Mans Name
A. WHITE
A. WARD
G.F. SOUTHAM
J. WARDER
R.H. JAMES
L. FRANCIS
F.V. YEARBY
A.B. HINCKS
S. SOLOMON
It is, presently, unknown where the Roll was originally located, but one can only assume that the City Fire Station had once displayed it. The location of the station, at the time, was on Rutland Street at the back of St. George’s Church.
There has been no research currently done on the 9 men on the Roll; However, I’m sure there are some firefighters of the Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service who may know or have done some research themselves. There may even be a more permanent Roll displayed somewhere. It would be nice to see if there can be future projects or collaborations.