Source:Souvenir Programme
Wickersley Fire Station
The station was opened on the 25th January, 1940, as a part of the Rotherham Rural District Auxiliary Fire Service, the formation of which was commenced in August, 1939. with Mr. O. Burton as Commandant, and Mr. Wm. Peck and Mr. W. J. Elmhurst as Divisional Officers. Wickersley was the second station to be opened, the Dalton Auxiliary Fire Station having been in operation since October, 1939.
The station premises were situated at the rear of Springfield House, Bawtry Road, Wickersley.
At the date of opening the personnel was made up of Section Officer J. McShane and 18 men but eventually over 100 officers and men, and boys were recruited.
The equipment of the station comprised one large Coventry Climax Trailer Pump of 500 gpm. capacity, and two Light Standard Gwynne Trailer Pumps each of 120 gpm. capacity, together with one No. 10 Foam Apparatus. The first Light Trailer Pump was delivered on the 18th February, 1940.
Regular periods of duty were arranged which allowed for one tour of duty of 12 hours being performed by each volunteer one night per week, This permitted one full team of 5 men plus the officer in charge being on duty during the period from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., in addition to a Siren Duty team was arranged for each night and other members of the station stood by during 'alert' periods at their homes and ready for immediate call out to the station should the need arise.
From April, 1940, the training of all the firemen recruited for the Rotherham R.D.C. Auxiliary Fire Service was undertaken by Mr. McShane, Officer in charge of the Wickersley Station in Firemanship and Fire Fighting, the Anti-Gas instruction being given by the Commandant, Mr. O. Burton, A.R.P.S., (First Class), Physical Training was, for a period also undertaken by Mr. H. Simmons.
A system of examinations was instituted and all the promotions to Leading Fireman and higher ranks were decided by examinations.
In October 1940, 13 members of the Rotherham R.D.C., A.F.S. were sent to Birmingham to reinforce the Fire Service in the city and the following members of the Wickersley station volunteered for such duty:
It is recorded that Fireman Carney lost his life while serving with the Merchant Navy.
During the period that this detachment was serving at Birmingharn, they were called to take part in the defence of Coventry, during the period when that city was so heavily raided by the Germans.
The members of the station arranged quite a number of social events (Dances and Concerts) during the period 1939 - 1941 and were responsible for raising about £50 towards the provision of a Mobile Canteen which was purchased and loaned to the National Fire Service.
During the Savings Weeks which were held in the Rotherham Rural District, Wickersley Fire Station personnel gave demonstrations of fire fighting etc., at the inaugural meetings, and in 1944 contributed £1.000 towards Wickersley’s Savings total.
In August, 1941 the Fire Service came under National control and the Wickersley Station and personnel became part of the D Division of No. 3 Fire Area, No. 2 (North Eastern) Region, and continued in that status until the station was closed and the personnel disbanded after Victory in Europe.
Wickersley was selected as the site for the National Fire Service Area Training Schools for both men and women and personnel from the entire Area, including Sheffield, Barnsley, Rotherham, Doncaster and surrounding districts received basic and advanced training at the Schools.
The resident training centre for women was established at the Old Mason’s Arms, Wickersley early in 1942, about 30 women attending each course of approximately 24 days. The various courses held included some for recruits, telephonists. cooks, drivers and administrative staff.
The former bar parlour was fitted out as a model control room, and was put to extensive use in the training of telephonists and control room staff, whilst the concert room was used as the main Lecture room.
Sleeping accommodation was provided for the students at Sycamore House, at the corner of Bawtry Road and Morthen Road.
The premises were also fitted out for use as a reinforcement base, and were intended as such to house incoming personnel in the event of raids on the nearby city and town. This, fortunately never materialised.