fire service

RURAL COMMUNITIES IN LINCOLNSHIRE

North & South Somercotes

Fire Service

Index

First formed in 1940, during the war, the Local Fire Brigade has been responding to emergencies ever since. Manned by 13 part-time firemen, the present, modern engine is housed in the Churchill Road fire station. All the firemen live and work locally, apart from two shift-workers, and carry personal bleepers, to summon them to the station, where they receive a computer printout from Lincoln, detailing the nature, and location of the call. Thursday drill nights, regularly inspected by the Station Officer from Louth, ensure that the men are trained to tackle any incident. As well as a basic monthly wage, the men receive extra payment for every call-out they attend.

Conditions in the early days were very different. Harold Larder, who joined the Brigade in 1941, remembers the first pump was hand operated, and had to be towed by Freddy Adcock's lorry, or someone's car. It was kept at the old mill near the Axe and Cleaver, where the brigade also practised climbing up ladders, entering the mill windows, then returning down the ladder carrying a fireman, who'd volunteered to be rescued. Another exercise involved travelling to the sea bank. This was accomplished by transporting 18 firemen in a large car, some inside, and the rest on the roof, and clinging to the sides. All the members were volunteers, and in the event of a fire, were called out by Arthur Lakin, who went round to their houses, first by push-bike, then later by motor-bike. They attended many fires started by incendiary bombs, sometimes meeting the Alvingham brigade, who had a small pump, that they carried in a car. Although they arrived promptly to attend a fire at 'Clocky' Wardles, on Willerton Rd., the hoses were 20 yards too short, and the house burnt down.
In 1942, the engine was moved to a Nissen hut, (on the site of the present station), and towards the end of the war, a new fire engine was acquired. It could accommodate 2 people in the cab, (usually Sub Officer Wynn Humberstone), but the rest of the men had to stand on the outside, which was dreadfully cold when making a winter trip to Tetney. Members were paid 18 shillings, (90p!) per month, no matter how many fires were attended, and on Sunday mornings, there were practices. Harold remembers one informative lecture on, "How to deal with an anti-personnel mine", given by a well-spoken man with a handle-bar moustache. He didn't reckon much to the instructions to, "hold something in front of your face, and poke the mine with a stick!"
After the war, the service continued. Emergency calls were put through to Boothby's Shop, (Later Bigg's) opposite the station, and someone ran to activate the siren. Later, bells were installed in houses. Whilst the present station was being built in the 1950's, the engine was housed at Arundel's, on Willerton Road.

The fire itself may have been dangerous, but getting there could also prove hazardous! Fire men arrived with all speed, often by bike, and on one occasion, Harold and Butch collided in the gateway, but they both managed to attend the fire! Colin Marsh also suffered an accident, when he arrived bare-foot, and slid the length of the station. Wives also played their part, by making sure their husbands were properly equipped for night call-outs, reminding them to take teeth and hats! After such a rush, the men were often too out-of-breath to enquire about the venue.

The neatly written log-book records some interesting details of drill. On 25.6.44, the following firemen attended, Humberstone, Wright, Jacklin, Wright, Brackenbury, Lakin, Cheffings, Smith, Markham, and Lambert. On 4.2.54, there was Night Incident Drill at the Axe and Cleaver, which 2 crews attended! Other topics covered included, Lecture on Suspicious Circumstances, Ladder Handling, Respirator Use, Crashed Aircraft, Pick-up Drill. (Harold being the lightest, was always in demand for this), and 'Bikini'. Neither Butch Donner, nor Harold, are quite sure what this was. It might have been something to do with the Gravel Pits, and a dinghy. Perhaps more searching questions should have been asked, to make sure attention was being paid.

Over the last 59 years, many men have served in the North Somercotes Fire Service, sharing danger, comradeship and a sense of humour. Thankfully, they continue to do so, ensuring that everyone in our locality, and further afield, can benefit from their dedicated help, in the new millennium.