James Braidwood (firefighter)

James Braidwood (1800 - 1861) founded the world's first municipal fire service in Edinburgh in 1824, and was the first director of the "London Fire Engine Establishment" (the brigade which was eventually to become the London Fire Brigade). [http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/ London Fire Brigade website] ] and is credited with the development of the modern municipal fire service. [http://www.glosfire.gov.uk/sections/schools/school_rc_modern.html The foundations of the modern fire service, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service] ]

He was born in Edinburgh and educated at the Royal High School. He learned about the construction of buildings after joining his father's building firm as an apprentice, knowledge he later put to use in fire fighting. He was distinguished for his heroism on the occasion of great fires in Edinburgh (1824) and London (1830). He also undertook a pastoral role, introducing visits to ordinary firemen and their families by the London City Mission.

On 22 June 1861 his life was claimed in the Tooley Street fire [http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/about_us/our_history/key_dates.asp London Fire Brigade website - Key dates] ] at Cotton's Wharf near London Bridge Station when a falling wall crushed him to death. It took two days to recover his body and his heroism led to a massive funeral on 29 June, a public spectacle equal almost to the Tooley Street fire itself [http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/people/famousfirst925.html Edinburgh University profile of James Braidwood] ] , which continued to burn for a fortnight and causing ₤2,000,000 damage. A London fireboat was named in his honour in the 1930s.

James Braidwood is buried at Abney Park Cemetery, Stoke Newington, London, within sight of the Stoke Newington Fire Station.

New Memorial, 2008

On the 5th of September 2008, the James Braidwood memorial statue in Parliament Square, Edinburgh was unveiled by Professor Sir Timothy O'Shea, Principal of Edinburgh University. [http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/No-bells-and-no-whistles.4328264.jp 'No bells and no whistles for 'father of firefighting', The Scotsman 26 July 2008] ] . A fund had been established for a £75,000 memorial to Braidwood, to be created by the Glasgow sculptor, Kenneth Mackay, led by Dr Frank Rushbrook CBE, 93-year-old former Firemaster at Lothian & Borders Fire Brigade. The bronze plaque on the statue reads:

cquote|"James Braidwood
"1800 - 1861
"Father of the British Fire Service
"This statue is dedicated to the memory of James Braidwood, a pioneer of the scientific approach to fire-fighting. It also recognises the courage and sacrifice of fire-fighters, not only in Lothian & Borders Fire and Rescue Service, but all over the world.

External links

* [http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/edinburgh/Forgotten-brigade-pioneers-legacy-lives.3587351.jp Forgotten brigade pioneer's legacy lives on, The Scotsman, 05 December 2007]

* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/maggiejones/2508747607/in/set-72157605161294230 Photo of London Memorial]

References