Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, 5th type, bronze (W. H. Brumby, Monkwearmouth, 5th June 1905) with silver buckle on ribbon, nearly extremely fine £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Life Saving Awards formed by The Late W.H. Fevyer.

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Ref. Spink Exhibition 1985, No. 160.

Fireman William Henry Brumby, Sunderland Borough Police Fire Brigade was awarded the Society’s Bronze Medal (Case No. 15,030)

About 3 o'clock this morning the Sunderland Fire Brigade received news that there was a fire at 6 Hamilton Street, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland. Within a few minutes of receiving the alarm, the Fire Brigade, with a fire escape and one steamer were quickly on the scene of the conflagration. On their arrival it was found that the house, which had five rooms and was occupied by about 18 people, was in flames. Sergeant Patterson, who was in charge of the brigade asked if all the residents were out of the house, and he was told they were. Enquiries amongst those who had occupied the house revealed the fact that a Mrs Pattison and her child, who lived in the back room on the first floor, were not amongst those who had made good their escape. On hearing this, Sergeant Patterson made a determined effort to reach their room. He mounted the stairs, but although he had a fire mask, the flames drove him back, and Fireman Davidson, who accompanied him, was no more successful in his efforts. A jet was got to work on this part of the premises, and again Sgt. Patterson attempted to reach the room where the Pattison's had lived. This time he succeeded, but when he got to the room he could find no one. He then went into the front room occupied by a family called Rook, and there found Mrs Pattison and her little daughter lying apparently dead. With all haste the bodies were got into the open air, and attempts were made to restore animation by artificial respiration, however it was found that the attempts were useless, and they were discontinued. The house, 6 Hamilton Street, comprised two floors and an attic, the fire originated in the room on the ground floor occupied by a family called Smith. It was George Smith who discovered the fire, he being awakened by the flames and smoke. He got out of bed, but when he tried to make his escape he found he could not open the door. He roused Mr & Mrs Elliott, who occupied the room next to his on the ground floor, and they burst in the door, thus allowing Smith to escape with his wife and child. Smith then gave the alarm to the brigade, and tried to rouse the people remaining in the burning building, the fire having by this time got a good hold. A man named Cruickshanks, who lived in the attic with his wife and family, was awakened by the noise, and coming to the stair head to see what was the matter, he saw the flames. After rousing his wife and family, Cruickshanks took two of his children, a boy and girl, and rushing down the staircase through the flames, reached the street. He did not escape unscathed however, for all the hair was burnt off his head. Mrs Cruickshanks attempted to follow her husband with another child, but was unable to escape owing to the fierceness of the flames. She then went into the room occupied by the Rooks, on the same floor as the room she lived in. Finding escape from this room by the door was impossible, she with difficulty, owing to the dense smoke which filled the room, reached the window, and although encumbered by the child in her arms, jumped into the street, a distance of about eleven feet. In falling she broke her ankle, and was conveyed to the Monkwearmouth and Southwick Hospital, where she was found to be badly shaken also. The Rooks made their way safely through the flames, and escaped without injury. The glare of the flames also awakened the Pattison's, Mrs Pattison saw the fire through the bedroom window, and called her husband who took one of the children in his arms and went out into the passage. The fire in this part was now at its height, he supposed that his wife and other child was following him. When he gained the open air he found that his wife had not come out with him, and he went back along the passage. Fighting his way through the flames and smoke he reached his room again, here the flames were also very fierce, but notwithstanding he made a thorough search. He was unable to find any trace of his wife and child, and had to leave the room and house for his own safety. From the time Pattison left his room until their bodies were found by Sgt. Patterson, nothing was seen of Mrs Pattison or her child. The names of the dead are Susan Pattison 31 years and her daughter Susan aged 7 years. The injured are Eleanor Cruickshanks 53 years, broken ankle and shock. Annie Pattison 5 years, both arms burnt and shock. George Smith 26 years, face and neck burnt and shock. The fire is supposed to have been caused by the upsetting of a paraffin lamp’ (Ref. Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Monday 5th June 1905

‘The following awards have been made by the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire: silver medal to R. Patterson and bronze medal to W.H. Brumby, Monkswearmouth, for saving two persons from a burning house on June 5’ (Ref. The Times, 8 December 1905).