Wokingham’s first firefighting service was formed at a public meeting held in Wokingham Town Hall on November 19th 1830. The following extracts are taken from the secretary’s minute and
account book of the Forest Association, Wokingham:-
“ At a numerous meeting of the Magistrates and other Gentlemen, Yeomen and Inhabitants of
the Forest Division of this County and its vicinity held in the Town Hall, Wokingham, on November 19th, 1830, presided over by the High Sheriff, John Walter, it was “Unanimously
resolved on the motion of the Marquis of Downshire, and seconded by Robert Palmer, Esq. M.P. that the alarm created by the acts of base and lawless incendiaries in the
neighbourhood districts render it highly desirable that an association be immediately formed with a view to the prevention of the acts by vigilance and firmness, having at the same time the fullest confidence in the good order which has at all times characterized the labouring classes of this neighbourhood.”
On the motion of Sir John Walsh, it was further resolved that the Magistrates, Gentlemen and landholders should open lists in their respective Parishes of all Householders willing to be sworn and serve as Special Constables in aid of the Civil Power within the Forest Division.
The specials had to watch and guard farming premises day and night with the utmost vigilance and Wokingham was the centre of communications for all purposes of the
Association. Meetings were held in the Rose Inn.
Each parish had to form its own constabulary force and arrange to act in conjunction with each other. Two or more persons, chosen by the men themselves, were appointed superintendents in each parish. Buckets were to be provided, and ready at all times, together with any other means of extinguishing fires.
In June 1860 the Wokingham police force, together with one of their two manual fire engines, moved into their new headquarters in the new Town Hall. The policing activities of the association appear to have been so efficient during the following twelve months that, according to records, there was very little trouble from them onwards.
The Wokingham Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed at a public meeting held in Wokingham on Friday, the 29th September 1876, which took over the responsibility of firefighting from the police force. From then, based in the town hall, the Wokingham Volunteer Fire Brigade provided a continuous service until August 1941 when it was taken over by the National Fire Service.
According to Roger Hosking he was told by Cecil Culver that, in later years, the residences of firemen living near the town hall were connected to the town hall by means of an electric wire and bell. When there was a fire someone in the town hall would press a button. Cecil also pointed out
brackets attached to some former firemen’s houses in Sturges Road that supported the wires. In earlier years a bugle was used.
The efficiency of the brigade increased when the 6th Marquis of Downshire made arrangements, at his own expense, for two Tilling Grey horses. They were supplied by the Thomas Tilling Company, supplier to the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. These horses were highly trained and mostly grey. Their names were Dolly and Dustpan.
Chief Officer Arthur Wills John Wellington Blundell Trumbull Hill (1871-1918), 6th Marquis of Downshire, Nicknamed Lordie he served as Chief Officer of the Wokingham Volunteer Fire Brigade for a number of years and to which he contributed generously.
Wokingham Town Museum Unique Identifier: WTH0303