The Eton Fire Brigade was manned by local volunteers, most of them traders.
The 'Merryweather' fire engine in the picture was named 'Princess Alice', and was 'christened' by Princess Alice in 1913, when it replaced the horse drawn pumps. The 'Princess Alice' can still be seen in the Vintage Vehicle Museum at Caister Castle, Great Yarmouth. Eton has not had its own brigade since WWII. In the front row of firemen 4th from the left is Fire Chief Fred Husted, and 2nd from left is James Dugan. James (Eton baker) had been the driver up to 1910; he then became chief engineer and driver and in later years the Brigade Chief Officer. His son (also James) served as a fireman before the 1939/45 conflict.
This article was first published in A Pictorial History of Eton Wick & Eton.
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