Frederick Parkes Spencer
1904 to 1940
Photograph courtesy of: Joanna Allanson

This Internet Book is based on a small book commissioned by Chief Fire Officer Lambert in 1969 to celebrate the SFB centenary. This book was entitled “Sheffield Fire Brigade - A Brief History”, and the periods from the 'Early History' through to '1923-1937' have been expanded. However, the period 1937 onwards has been the subject of extensive research more comprehensive material than the original publication. All the press pages are an addition to the original material, and have been researched by John Hague.

By publishing this material as an Internet Book it is the intention to add any material that readers wish supply to extend its coverage of the history of Sheffield Fire Brigade. This book is therefore a living document. Furthermore, I have no intention in making a profit from this material, and the information is supplied for the use of anyone who has an interest in the history of Sheffield. For a full account of those responsible for the material contained within this pages please go to the 'Acknowledgements Page'.

Like all things, the maintenance of this site is becoming more and more expensive, so much so, that in the future it may become financially impossible to maintain the upkeep of Hosting Server and Domain Name. Any help will be appreciated.

If you wish to add to this online book please contact me via email

Edward J Mullins.

Archie Cornish
Police Inspector/Fire Officer - Sheffield Fire Brigade.
Archie lived at Rockingham Street Fire Station Flats, Sheffield, with his wife Elizabeth and their 3 children: 9 year-old Peggy, 6-year old Archie, and 4 year-old Grace Marjorie.

He suffered severe burns on the 11th November, 1930, from a 'flash-over' fire caused by burning celluloid X-ray plates, in the basement of the Sheffield Royal Hospital, Sheffield. He died as a result of his injuries on the 18th of February 1931.

Fredrick Parkes Spencer
Police Constable/Fireman - Sheffield Fire Brigade, 36 years of age.
Fredrick lived with his wife Edna at Flat 20/22, Rockingham Street Fire Station, Sheffield. He died on Charles Street, Sheffield, whilst firefighting on the night of 12th December 1940 during the Sheffield Blitz.

Stanley Slack
Fireman - Auxiliary Fire Service, 29 years of age.
Stanley a Wood Turner and Hammer Finisher, lived at 84 Hermitage Street, Sheffield, with his wife Margaret. He died on Charles Street, Sheffield, whilst firefighting on the night of 12th December 1940  during the Sheffield Blitz.

John William Swaby
Fireman - Auxiliary Fire Service, 38 years of age.
John a Sheffield Transport Tram Driver, lived at Boynton Road, Sheffield, with his wife Louisa. He died on Burgess Street, Sheffield, whilst firefighting on the night of 12th December 1940 during the Sheffield Blitz.

Arthur Moore
Fireman (Driver) - Auxiliary Fire Service, 28 years of age.
Arthur a Clerk and Commercial Traveller living at 7 Norwood Road, Sheffield. He died on Burgess Street, Sheffield, whilst firefighting on the night of 12th December 1940 during the Sheffield Blitz.

Tom Stacey
Fireman - Auxiliary Fire Service, 31 years of age.
Tom a Sheffield Transport Tram Conductor, lived at 90 Paper Mill Road, Shiregreen, Sheffield, with his wife Winifred. He died on corner of Castle Street and Castle Green, Sheffield, whilst firefighting on the night of 12th December 1940  during the Sheffield Blitz.

Norman Elliott
Water Department Turncock working with Sheffield Fire Brigade, 35 years of age.
Norman a Sheffield Water Company Turncock, lived at 62 Cockshutt Drive, Sheffield, with his wife Hilda and their one year-old son Geoffrey. He died on Union Street, Sheffield, whilst working with the AFS and SFB to ensure adequate supplies of firefighting water on the night of 12th December 1940 during the Sheffield Blitz.

Alfred Garlick
Fireman - Auxiliary Fire Service, 30 years of age.
Alfred a Bricklayer, lived at 7 Cockayne Place, Sheffield, with his wife Betsy. He was injured whilst Firefighting on Archer Road, Sheffield, on the night of 12th December 1940, during the Sheffield Blitz. He died of his injuries on December 14th 1940, at the Royal Hospital.

Albert Wallace
Fireman - Auxiliary Fire Service, 30 years of age.
Albert a Drop Forge Hot Press Operator, lived at 39 Fawley Road, Sheffield, the son of Florence Wallace of the same address. He died at the Marples Hotel, Fitzalan Square, Sheffield, on the night of 12th December 1940 during the Sheffield Blitz.

Harold Parkinson
Fireman - National Fire Service, 42 years of age.
Harold a former Power Station Boiler Firer from 119 Neill Road, Sheffield, where he lived with his wife Nettie. He was injured at a fire in Sheffield on 29th December 1942. He died on 11th August 1943 at a Sheffield Hospital from smoke inhalation.

Leonard Harrison
Leading Fireman - National Fire Service, 31 years of age.
Leonard a former Printer's Compositor from 131 Club Garden Road, Sheffield, where he lived with his wife Florence and their two girls, aged six years and six months. He died in a minefield while serving at Cullercoats near Newcastle.

On 13th April 1944. Leonard and his crew were called to a moorland fire where one of them stood on a mine which killed the entire crew. The moorland had previously been used as an ammunition dump and unknown to Leonard and his crew the area was still mined.

Harold Gannon
Fireman - National Fire Service, 42 years of age.
Harold of 39 Moss Street Sheffield where he lived with his wife Hilda, died when the fire appliance he was on crashed on Hastilar Road/Prince of Wales Road, Sheffield whilst proceeding to a fire on 25th April 1944.

Joseph Pardon
Fireman - National Fire Service, 40 years of age.
A former Silver Finisher and Electro Plater from 6 Lister Crescent, Sheffield, where he lived with his wife Mary. He was injured when the fire appliance he was on crashed on Hastilar Road/Prince of Wales Road, Sheffield whilst proceeding to a fire on 25th April 1944. He died from his injuries on 26th April 1944 at Sheffield Royal Hospital.

Malcolm Rawnsley
Fireman - National Fire Service, 41 years of age.
A former Grocer's Shop Assistant from 1 Dawlish Terrace, Leeds, where he lived with his wife Gladys and their son Jeffery. He was injured on November 28th, 1944, at Rockingham Street, Sheffield, and died in hospital on 2nd January 1945.

Colin Hill
Fireman - Sheffield Fire Brigade, 39 years of age.
Colin lived at 125 Vincent Road, Sheffield with his wife Dorothy and their two year-old son. He died during the rescue of a cat from a tree, at the rear of 88 Albert Road, Sheffield on June 28th, 1950.

Frank Mallinson
Fireman -Sheffield Fire Brigade, 28 years of age.
Frank lived at Oldfield Avenue, Stannington, Sheffield with his wife and two children. He was seriously injured in an explosion and fire at the Little Mermaid Cafe', Norfolk Street, Sheffield, 7th August, 1968. He died of his burns and other injuries on 15th August in the Royal Hospital, Sheffield.

Robert Smith
Sub Officer - Sheffield Fire Brigade, 47 years of age.
Robert lived at Cartmell Road, Woodseats with his wife. He was seriously injured on 25th February 1974 in an explosion at the British Steel Corporation, Shepcote Lane, Sheffield, when molten metal came in contact with firefighting water. He died of his burns on 28th February 1974 in the Northern General Hospital Sheffield.

Paul Parkin
Fireman - Sheffield Fire Brigade, 27 years of age.
Paul lived at Bramley Drive, Handsworth with his wife Barbara and their two daughters, 5 year-old Marie, and 3 year-old Suzanne.

Paul was seriously injured on 25th February 1974 in an explosion at the British Steel Corporation, Shepcote Lane, Sheffield, when molten metal came in contact with firefighting water. He died of his burns on 10th March 1974 in the Northern General Hospital Sheffield. At the time of his death Barbara was 3-months pregnant with their 3rd child Mark, who was born in September 1974.