The Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade which was inaugurated on the 28th February 1851. t. worthington, williamstown volunteer fire brigade

W. Johnstone was a member of the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade and was a Hose-Officer in 1883 and later progressing to Lieutenant in 1885. williamstown volunteer fire brigade, 1880s, mr. johnstone

Arthur Ernest Knowles was a member of the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade. He passed away aged 50 on the 1st June 1915. williamstown volunteer fire brigade, 1880s, mr c. knowles, a. knowles

The Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade which was inaugurated on the 28th February 1851. This presentation photo collage was produced in 1887 by the members of the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade to honor their leader, Superintendent Lawrence Worthington (shown in the large center oval), as a farewell gift before his departure for England in 1887. Lawrence Worthington served as a Captain of the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade before being elevated to the higher rank of Superintendent. The composite image features individual oval portraits of the brigade's active volunteer members at that time, framed around a central image of their manual hose reel cart. Names of Fireman shown include: Dandie, Pitt, Wilson, Mould, Bennett, Hall, Sheldrick, Johnstone, T. Worthington, L. Worthington, A. Knowles, J.E. Murdoch, Elsum, Lester, Lieutenant N.R. Wilson, J. Johnstone, Wallace williamstown volunteer fire brigade

Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade with members of the Central Fire Brigade Station. The Central Fire Brigade were situated in Little Collins Street, and later relocated to current location at Eastern Hill. (source https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/63185390/5731757#) From left: Mascot, 1. Uknown, 2. J.Murdoch, 3. Elsum, 4. Unknown, 5. Unknown, 6. Livingstone, 7. Johnstone, 8. William Alfred Hall, 9. Lester, 10. Burtonclay, 11. Unknown williamstown volunteer fire brigade, c.1860's, central fire brigade

williamstown volunteer fire brigade, 1880s, mr. j. murdoch

williamstown volunteer fire brigade, 1880s, mr. lester

williamstown volunteer fire brigade, 1880s, mr h. wilson

mr wallace, williamstown volunteer fire brigade, 1880s

Mr. R.A. Elsum was secretary to the Williamstown Fire Brigade between 1882 and 1887. williamstown volunteer fire brigade, 1880s, mr elsum

John Dandie was secretary of the Williamstown Fire Brigade from 1888. williamstown volunteer fire brigade, 1880s, mr dandie

This historical photograph depicts members of the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade (W.V.F.B.) located at Ferguson Street. Back row L-R: J. Davidson, J. Russell, J. Wallace, H. Strange, G. Gilbert, A. Knowles, J. Rivett, J. Burton-Clay; Front row L-R: F. Boden, Captain J.E Murdock, Secretary W.H. Hall, Superintendent L. Worthington, Hose Officer W. Godwin, Lieutenant N.R. Wilson, G.H.M. Paine The following is an excerpt from the Williamstown Chronicle Friday 25 December 1891 on the disbanding of the WVFB. THE OLD FIRE BRIGADE A meeting of the late Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade was held in the Mechanics Institute last Friday evening for the purpose of winding up the brigade and to receive the secretary's report. Mr L. Worthington occupied the chair, and every member present. Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed. The chairman then called on the secretary to read the report, which was received and adopted; the receipts L141 18s 4d included a balance on hand from last year of L35 4s 6d; the expenditure, L67 9s 4d, leaving a balance of L74 9s 5d in hand. It was resolved that this amount should be divided amongst the 16 members, each receiving Is 6 3/4d for every month he had been a member up to the time the brigade was disbanded by the New Fire Board. A vote of thanks was passed to Superintendent Worthington for the kind and forbearing manner he had acted towards the members during the 9 years and 10 months he had been superintendent, and that a letter be sent expressing the deep gratitude the members had towards him. Mr Worthington has always been held in high esteem by his boys, for when leaving for the old country some years ago they would not let him go away without wishing him bon voyage and a safe return to them; they have also shown their esteem to their superintendent on other occasions. A vote of thanks was also recorded to Mr W. A. Hall, hon. sec. for the valuable services rendered to the brigade during his 8 years of service. Mr Worthington also eulogized the assistance he had received from Mr Hall; Captain Murdoch, Lieutenant Wilson and Hose officer Godwin also coming in for their share of thanks. Mr Worthington, before declaring the brigade disbanded, invited the members to the Morning Star Hotel to partake with him in a convival glass. Peculiar to remark the first meeting was held in the hotel mentioned 11 years ago. After spending a pleasant half hour, during which several toasts were proposed, the superintendent declared the brigade disbanded and that the Williamstown Volunteer Fire Brigade was a thing of the past. The members then dispersed. Source: Williamstown Chronicle Friday 25 December 1891 williamstown volunteer fire brigade, 1887