Cleethorpes Fire Brigade outside the Fire Station, Poplar Road 1911

This original photograph from the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Museum collection shows members of Cleethorpes Fire Brigade outside the fire station in Poplar Road, posing with their horse-drawn Merryweather steam fire engine.

Purchased in 1904 at a cost of £620, the engine remained in service until 1921.

The photograph records the brigade's success in winning the Londesborough Challenge Cup at Spalding in 1911. The trophy is prominently displayed between the seated firemen.

The accompanying contemporary newspaper caption identifies Captain T. Corder, firemen Parsons, Otter, Cook and Phillips, Councillor J. Pinchbeck, chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee, and Engineer Frankish. Handwritten notes on the reverse of the original photograph provide additional identifications, including T. Corder (Chief).

The fire station was officially opened on 3 November 1904. Its establishment followed the devastating fire at Cleethorpes Pier on 29 June 1903, when the concert hall was destroyed. Assistance from the Grimsby Corporation and Grimsby Docks fire brigades was required to tackle the blaze. The disaster was an important catalyst for the development and modernisation of Cleethorpes Fire Brigade.

The Poplar Road site continued to serve the town as its fire station. In April 1939, Cleethorpes Borough Council approved a tender of £2,787 for a new station building, and the facilities were further modernised in 1968.

Collection: Grimsby & Cleethorpes Museum. Original photograph; photographer unknown. The reverse bears handwritten notes identifying members of the brigade.