Chief Fire Officer Alfred Leyland

Alfred was born in Prior’s Lee, Salop in Shropshire in about 1910, to Alfred & Annie Leyland. He had an older brother & sister, Arthur and Winifred as well as one sister, Audrey, who was less than a year younger than him.

Most of the following information has been gathered from newspaper cuttings preserved in scrap books by the Middlesbrough Fire Brigade of the time.

We know nothing about Alfred’s early life, but in 1931, when he was 21 years old, he joined Manchester Fire Brigade. Seven years later he was Deputy Chief in Stockton-on-Tees Fire and Ambulance Brigade.

He appears to have been quite ambitious as in 1941, only 10 years after he began his career in the Fire service, he became Officer in Charge of the Western Division in Newcastle and a year later, 1942, was responsible for the whole of the Newcastle area.

In 1945 he moved to Middlesbrough, where he would remain for the next 18years. At this time his post was Sub-District Commander.

Three years later in 1948 he became Middlesbrough’s Chief Fire Officer a post he would keep for approximately 16 years.

On July 12th 1951 Middlesbrough Fire Brigade officially opened an extension to their Workshops building.

In November 1955 Alfred was presented with the Queens Medal for long service and good conduct. A picture and article, shown here, were in the Evening Gazette of the time.

A month long Exhibition, to mark the centenary of Middlesbrough Fire Service was opened 2nd September 1955. Alfred was very much hands on with every part of this successful exhibition and even organised a huge painting of Middlesbrough, displaying futuristic imaginary of skyscrapers with fire fighting techniques showing rescues using helicopters and wide television screens.

Only a year later, 14th February 1956, the queen mother presented Alfred with an OBE. Here is a lovely photograph taken the next day, of Alfred showing his O.B.E. to his proud wife and two daughters, in the Northern Echo.

I did find an interesting little snippet in an article written in January 1956 which told of how the Chief Fire Officer had been complaining of his house, 113 Park Road South, being extremely cold and impossible to heat and as a result was affecting both his family’s health as well as his own. He requested the Fire Brigade Committee look into this and asked them to include a further £250 in the 1955/56 estimates to heat the house.

In October 1959, Leyland was appointed President of the Chief Fire Officers Association – a position he took very seriously, remarking that his post required he ‘demonstrate in a manner beyond reproach the sense of responsibility, loyalty enabling a Chief Officer to serve his council and community.’

In 1963, a year before Alfred should have retired and at the age of 54, he accepted a post to join a 12 man team within the Fire Department of the Home Office in London as Assistant Inspector. His resignation was accepted and he handed over his post to the new Chief Fire Officer, Mr Harry Johnson, leaving at the end of July to begin his new position.

Alfred died aged 69 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire in December 1978, after a long and successful career working in fire prevention.

The Ada Street Tragedy

Guest post, written and researched by Museum of Hartlepool volunteer, Carol Grocott

In July 1899, an incident occurred that created an unprecedented outcry across the North East of England. Thomas Thompson, a black man (possibly) from the West Indies but who had long since been settled in Britain, was sentenced to death for the double murder of his white British wife Emily, and their West Indian lodger and friend of 20 years, Isaac David Phillips. The crime of passion took place in the couples home on Ada Street (today called Brook Street), West Hartlepool. It shocked the town, but so  too did the judges sentencing, which prompted thousands to sign a petition to reduce Thompson’s death penalty.

Background to the tragedy

Little is known about Thomas Thompson, other than he appears to have arrived in England at around 12 years of age. Newspaper archives show that he worked on board ships, as a cook or steward.

In 1884 Thomas married Emily in Liverpool, before settling with her in Cardiff. They seemed to have had a happy marriage until Emily gave birth to a child in 1888, who had blue eyes and fair hair, and was very obviously was not fathered by Thomas Thompson. Emily claimed that she had been taken advantage of by a doctor she had been seeing for “women’s troubles”. She begged Thomas to forgive her, and for a time he appeared to be placated by this.  He was genuinely in love with his wife and had developed a fondness for the child, so Thomas agreed to stay with Emily and raise the boy.

The family moved to West Hartlepool not long after, and Thomas found work in the docks either as a plater’s labourer (according to one source), or aboard ships once again as a cook/steward.  All appeared to be well with the family, until Emily (or Thomas – depending on the article read) invited a West Indian friend called Isaac Phillips, to stay as a lodger. Phillips, who was also a seaman, lodged with the Thompson’s when not at sea, for around 6 years.  Eventually, Emily began to spend more time with Phillips than her husband, often waiting up until he came home from work after midnight. Thompson would hear them laughing in the kitchen night after night, and Phillips often bought her gifts. Then, a few days prior to the murder, and what would appear to have been the final straw for Thompson, he arrived home from work one night to find that his son of 11 years was absent – All Emily said was that he’d gone to a family who would educate him properly.

The murder

According to Thompson’s testimony, on the fateful evening he retired to bed and called his wife to join him. She ignored his calls and remained in the kitchen with Phillips. He had become so angry with them that he went back downstairs and shot her with a pistol he had bought some time earlier. She apparently managed to get to a neighbour’s house where she collapsed on the hearth rug.

The neighbour ran into the house and found Thompson and Phillips struggling on the floor Phillips had a pocketknife in his hand, which Thompson managed to free, and, whether by accident or design he stabbed Phillips in the neck. By this time PC Taylor and Dr MacGregor and Dr Howley arrived. The doctors temporary repaired Phillip’s neck while he was taken to hospital. He was initially expected to make a recovery. Police in the meantime managed to get a statement from Emily before she died. Thompson was arrested and charged with the murder of Emily and attempted murder of Phillips (This was later amended to murder when Phillips died from an infected wound).

After a short trial at Durham Assizes in mid July 1899, Thompson was sentenced to death, the date for his execution was set for 8th August. There was an almost immediate outcry at the sentence, because the jury had recommended mercy “on account of the great provocation Thompson had received”.  A petition to the Queen was quickly organised, and by Monday 24^th of July, two thousand people from Hartlepool had signed it – double what had been anticipated. Newspapers gave details of where the petition could be signed by townsfolk, and in addition the signatures of several Justices of the Peace and the town’s MP were obtained. The petition even appears to have been signed by the solicitor for the prosecution!

On 26^th July Mr J. Hyslop Bell, the Coroner in the case, received communication from the Home office stating “Sir, with reference to … the Secretary of State has felt warranted … advising her Majesty … commutation to penal servitude for life”.  The prison authorities were notified and Thompson was removed from the condemned cell, to a holding cell where he awaited removal to a penal settlement abroad.

Photograph taken on Brook Street (once known as Ada Street), looking towards the North Cemetery. This photograph was taken in 1964, 65 years after the incident took place.   

 

St John Ambulance

Durham Branch Ambulance Class, circa 1900: These employees were trained by the St John Ambulance Association to deliver first aid treatment to medical emergencies. Accidents on the railways were frequent and so every member of staff was encouraged to participate, joining courses and entering first aid competitions.

In the 11th Century, a small hospital attached to a church dedicated to St. John was set up to care for sick and injured pilgrims. In 1113 the Pope recognised the hospital as a religious Order.

By the 12th century the Order had developed a military role; members vowed to care for the sick, and defend Christianity.

In 1511 Henry VIII was given responsibility for the Orders of the Roman Catholic Church in Great Britain. When he established the Church of England he failed to uphold this responsibility and seized their assets – including those of the Order of St John. It wasn’t until 1798 that the Order recovered.

The London and North Eastern Railway Ambulance Organisation, under the auspices of the St. John Ambulance Association, wrote this booklet making all staff aware of the arrangements for holding ambulance classes, examinations and competitions, and the awards and concessions given for proficiency

In 1877, when Britain was at the height of the Industrial Revolution, the St John Ambulance Association was founded. Industrial work was often dangerous and accidents were frequent. The Association trained people to administer first aid; running classes, publishing books and setting examinations. The initiative was popular and spread outside heavy industry into the towns, villages and the more affluent suburbs.

St John Ambulance Association medallion, awarded to George Boyce, circa 1930s: The date bars were issued after successful re-examinations.

Before long thousands had received First Aid training. Many wanted to use their new skills to help others. In 1887 the St. John Ambulance Brigade was formed, providing First Aid and ambulance transport at public events. They attended’wherever crowds gathered’ – from great national occasions to local football matches. (Later, the Brigade and Association merged as “St. John Ambulance”.)

The Ambulance Room at the Faverdale Wagon Works in Darlington: The heavy machinery used at this works meant a permanent first aid room was necessary. It is fitted out to a high standard, with modern equipment which meant that staff could deal with lots of different kinds of emergencies at the Works – the most common accident was trapped fingers.

In 1888, Queen Victoria made the British Order of St. John a Royal Order of Chivalry, with the title ‘The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem’.

St John Ambulance Association certificate, 1946: presented to William Shaw for completing the “First Aid to the Injured” course. delivered by the London and North Eastern Railway (North Eastern) St John Ambulance Association.

During the wars the St John Ambulance and the British Red Cross worked together to form the Joint War Committee (established in 1914). Together they provided an extensive network of medical services in Britain and on the front lines; along with trained volunteers and reserves for army hospitals. Their work continued in 1939, providing welfare services including anti-gas training programmes, first aid posts in transport terminals and the training of volunteer nurses. St John as recently as 2003, in the Gulf War, sent aid workers to the front lines.

In many parts of Britain, St John was the first and only provider of an ambulance service up to the middle of the 20th century when the Ambulance Service as we know it today was conceived.

St John is still active today, and currently provides services to nearly 40 territories around the world.

Do you know anymore about the history of the St John Ambulance on the North Eastern Railway, feel free to comment below!

All images copyright to the Head of Steam, Darlington Railway Museum.

The North of England Match Factory Fire, 1954

Guest Post by Museum of Hartlepool volunteer David Nicholson whose father, Edwin Derrick Nicholson, had been employed at the Match Factory at the time.  Davids article reflects the events of the North of England Match Factory Fire which took place on the 30^th August 1954 and the effect it had on Hartlepool docks and the employees who worked at the factory.

A sample of the safety matches produced by the North of England Match Company.

The North of England Match Factory was situated in Swainson Dock.  The Company was established in 1932 and produced over thirty two million matches per week by 1954. One early sales ploy was the insertion of five shilling gift vouchers in selected boxes.

The fire started shortly after 4pm when a spark from one of the machines ignited. In a very short space of time the fire gutted the whole of one of the great warehouses which were an imposing feature of Hartlepool’s waterfront.

Due to the nature of the factory the Durham County Fire Brigade were called in and initially provided 10 fire appliances. Huge crowds gathered in Church Street to watch the blaze with some people buying platform tickets at the station to get a better view.

North Eastern Railway (NER) tugs attempting to extinguish the flames

Firemen attempting to extinguish the flames from floating platforms on the water

The cost of the damage was estimated to be around half a million pounds.

Doreen was one of the employees working inside the factory when the fire started. The workers were told to evacuate the building until the smoke cleared but then the fire took hold and they were told to return the next day. They came back to find that the fire had destroyed the building and they never returned to work there again. Doreen remembers that everyone was able to claim for anything that they lost in the fire, including coats. According to Doreen, fires were a regular occurrence at the factory when matches in the machines rubbed together.

The burnt-out shell of the factory was considered unsafe by docks officials after receiving reports from their experts. Demolition workers were employed to carry out the work. The foreman Mr William Brown of Glasgow and his fellow workers were engaged in clearing the interior of the building and salvaged everything possible.

Match Factory ablaze

Match Factory collapsing

About 100 Women were left jobless by the blaze. Many colliery area women and girls as well as those who lived locally worked in the match factory but quite a number of younger girls quickly found employment.

The Directors of the Company thought long and hard about rebuilding, however due to the cost and competition from home and abroad this was considered unviable. The question of alternative employment was considered at the time and one of the suggestions was the introduction of an industry connected with aircraft and its components.

Firemen at Match Factory Fire

All photographs copyright to the Museum of Hartlepool

Please see our Flickr page for more photographs of the Match Factory Fire in Hartlepool

Whose Lifesaving medal is it anyway?

Bronze medal made by Vaughton of Birmingham. One side of the depicts a lifesaving scene and is inscribed ‘THE LIFE SAVING SOCIETY ESTABLISHED 1891’; the otheris inscribed ‘AWARDED TO J.O.MANN’ and is within a ring inscribed ‘QUEMCUNQUE MISEUM VIDERIS HOMINEM SCIAS’ (Latin for whosoever you see in distress, recognise him as a fellow man). The medal was awarded by The Life Saving Society, founded in 1891. Its purpose was to safeguard lives in, on and near water. The Society has had Royal Patronage since 1904, meaning that this particular medal is an early, rare example, predating 1904.

The photographed medallion was found in the numismatic collection at the Museum of Hartlepool. The only information we had regarding its existence was that it was awarded to a J. O. MANN, the donor, W. O. MANNs father, who donated it in the late 1980s.

Medals like this were awarded for knowledge, skill and judgement in lifesaving by the The Life Saving Society founded in 1891. The Society has had Royal Patronage since 1904 – meaning that this medal was awarded between 1891 and 1904.

While searching the Hartlepool Mail for lifesaving medals awarded between these dates, we found an article written in 1897, on the Hartlepool Amateur Swimming Club, which brought up the name Oswald Mann.

In 1897 Oswald Mann took part in a swimming competition for under eighteens and was awarded a watchguard for competing in the ‘Dive and Swim Underwater’ event, and a silver medal the ‘100 Yards Handicap’. Although not a bronze lifesaving medal, the article does go on to list members of the club who received this medal on the same day.

The Mayor of Hartlepool who oversaw the event, observed that “a swimming club in a town like Hartlepool was a very important institution”. He spoke of the great advantages of swimming both to the swimmer himself, in the matter of health, and to other people, in the matter of lifesaving. He went on to state that six or seven thousand people were drowned every year on the seaboard and in inland rivers and waters in the United Kingdom.

Dr Rawlings, the president of the club, went on to say that because of their work it was “possible for a man to rescue from water anyone who was drowning” he stated that in previous years “they did not know how to set about resuscitating the drowning person, so the latter was merely rescued from the water to die from the effects of his immersion.” Dr Rawlings continued that, “one of the greatest things the lifesaving class was now taught… was the best methods of restoring to life the apparently drowned.”

As we can see, lifesaving classes were highly regarded in Hartlepool, a town where the livelihood of its many inhabitants depended solely on the sea. This was recognised at the Hartlepool Swimming Club, whose members were taught lifesaving and resuscitation techniques which they would take into the workplace. Although Oswald Mann did not receive his medal in 1897, it would not be wrong to assume that he gained the medallion in the coming years.

Assuming that J.O.Mann is the Oswald Mann referred to in the newspaper article (it was not uncommon for men at this time to be called by their middle names), we used Ancestry.com to trace him further, searching for an ‘Oswald Mann’, living in Hartlepool, born around 1880 (due to him taking part in an under eighteens event in 1897). The first record to arise was the 1911 census return for a John Oswald Mann.

John Oswald ‘Ossie‘ Mann, was born in Hartlepool in 1882. He married Jane Isabella Oswald in 1907, and their first child William Oswald Mann was born in December that year. Their second child Albert Oswald Mann was not born until 1916. They lived in Throston initially, but eventually moved to a house in Elm Grove.

Like his father John Thomas Mann, Ossie became a Marine Engineer, spending most of his working life away at sea. From 1903 to 1928 he worked for Jacobs, Barrington and Garratt a consulting engineers – for fourteen of those years Ossie sailed as Chief Engineer. He then worked briefly for an American company, before returning to his former employer.

During the First World War Ossie was a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers, he served in the Middle East and India where he contracted malaria. After a spell in hospital he was transferred back to Hartlepool, where he continued his service in the Inland Waterway section.

Coming from a long family tradition of Marine Engineers and Seamen, we can see the value that Ossie would have placed on becoming a strong swimmer, and learning the techniques needed to rescue others from drowning at sea, and resuscitating them if needed. I can find no mention that Ossie had to put his life saving techniques into action, although I am sure that had the situation arisen, the efforts of the Hartlepool Swimming Club to instill lifesaving techniques in their young members, would not have been put to waste.

All images copyright to the Museum of Hartlepool

The Queen and the Scout

Today is the 21st of April, Queen Elizabeth’s birthday. The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year: her actual birthday in April, and her official birthday in June, when she is is joined by the Royal Family to watch the Trooping the Colour. The Queen usually spends her actual birthday in private.

To wish the Queen happy birthday, we took a look at the Museum of Hartlepool collections to see what interesting artifacts we could find. Many of the objects we hold relate to the Queens visit to Hartlepool in 1977 – during her Silver Jubilee tour. During her visit the Queen performed the naming ceremony of the new Hartlepool Lifeboat “The Scout“.

A tapestry made by Mr. P. Wardle of Seaton Carew, commemorating the visit of the Queen to Hartlepool on the 14th of July 1977, when she opened the Civic Centre and named the Lifeboat “Scout”

The story of The Scout starts in 1974 when, to mark the 150th anniversary of the Lifeboat service, the Scout Association set about trying to raise £100,000 for a new offshore Lifeboat. With energy and enthusiasm, the Scouts engaged in various sponsored activities and events, not only meeting their target, but surpassing it.

Green and yellow Boy Scout’s Cap.

In 1977, the 44ft, self righting, steel hulled Lifeboat of the ‘Waveney Class’ was launched from the Brideford Shipyard, setting sail for her new Lifeboat Station ready for her dedication ceremony. She carried among her crew, Michael Hegarty, patrol leader of the 55th Hartlepool Scout Group.

A great crowd gathered on the Hartlepool docks on the 14th of June 1977, among them were the Coxswain and crew along with their families, other R.N.L.I. officials and no less than 1500 Scouts from all over the country.

Before the Queens arrival the Lifeboat was officially handed over from the Scout Association to the R.N.L.I.  Chief Scout, Sir William Gladstone spoke of his Association’s wish to encourage more young people to help others by giving service, and that the R.N.L.I. were a “celebrated example of giving service” in Britain. He concluded that the presentation of the Lifeboat was one of the proudest moments in Scout history.

The Hartlepool Lifeboat Station then accepted the Lifeboat into their safe keeping, Captain Alexander Kirk, Honorary Secretary of Hartlepool R.N.L.I. presented the Scouts with a photograph of the vessel. The Chairman of the branch James E. Atkinson finished by expressing his happiness that Hartlepool once again had an offshore Lifeboat.

Eventually the Royal car approached to a fanfare from the Scout trumpeters. Her Majesty the Queen, who was patron to both the R.N.L.I. and the Scout Association, along with His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh were escorted towards the new Lifeboat. Her Majesty then announced, “The Scout, may God bless her and all who sail in her”, the champagne was broken and the crowed cheered. After, The queen met Coxswain Robert Maiden, his crew and their families. The Coxwain’s son Robbie Maiden presented The Queen with the Institutions Jubilee tribute – a photographic record commemorating occasions when members of the Royal Family have been involved with the R.N.L.I. during the reign of Her Majesty the Queen.

Photograph of The Scout, taken by R. Williams of Hartlepool circa 1990.

The Scout went into service three days later. Due to its steel Hull it was not able to be launched down a slipway, and so a second boathouse, donated by the Harbour Friends of the Lifeboat was erected. She required a five crew members and could carry 12 survivors. Her first call out came on the 29th of July. She was called out to assist a small yacht which had broken down whilst on a fishing trip, there were three men and a woman aboard. The Coastguard said “there was no real danger to the yacht from the weather, but there is always a possibility of small crafts being run down at night”. Captain Alex Kirk. Secretary of Hartlepool R.N.L.I. commented that “It was only a very routine rescue but it is nice for The Scout to have seen its first active service.

Research taken from “The Hartlepool Lifeboats 1802-1977” By J. M. Ward, 1980 (copy held at the Museum of Hartlepool)

All images copyright to the Museum of Hartlepoool

Hartlepool Special Constables

Guest post by Museum of Hartlepool Volunteers, Carol Grocott and Ruth Iles

West Hartlepool Special Constable badge, circa 1914

Special Constables date back, unofficially, several hundred years to Saxon times.

In 1673 King Charles ruled that any citizen could be sworn in as a temporary Peace Officer. Anyone summoned and sworn in had to serve as a Special, or risk fine and or jail.  This remained in force for several hundred years and was used to call up Constables on several occasions – though usually in the North, less so in the South (perhaps Southerners were more law abiding!)

Due to unrest during the industrial revolution new powers were created that gave local authorities the right to compel men to become Special Constables.

In 1831, an Act was passed which still forms the basis of the constitution of today’s Special Constabulary.  Specials were granted “All powers, authorities, advantages and immunities” afforded to any full time Constable.

Photograph of the West Hartlepool Special Constables, taken around 1914. All the men seem to be quite affluent by their dress. Their only badge of office appears to have been their black and white armband and a small badge worn on the left lapel (see examples above and below).

Finally at the beginning of the Great War, 1914 – 1918, the Special Constabulary morphed into a body similar to today, a voluntary part time organisation, paid only their expenses. During the war their primary function was to prevent German infiltrators interfering with the water supply.

Example of an armband worn by an ‘on-duty’ Special Constable

During the Great War, J. R. Fryer, (the Mayor of Hartlepool), was the Special Constable Commander.  One of his duties during the Bombardment of Hartlepool in 1916, was to ensure that as many people as possible were evacuated  to a ‘collecting area’ in Sedgefield for safety.

After the bombardment, as people began to filter back,impeding the rescue work, the Mayor Fryer ordered his Constables to keep areas as clear as possible.

Special Constables also carried important messages to various military commanding officers.

Caricature of Special Constable J Gardner, by William Nicol 1942.

All images Copyright to the Museum of Hartlepool

The Hoods: A family of Courageous Coxes’

In 1823, 32 year old William Hood became Coxswain of the Tees – the first lifeboat in Seaton Carew. William became the first in a long line of Hoods to patrol the seas and save the hundreds of seamen. During his time as Coxswain he and his crew rescued over 188 lives, and in 1851 he was awarded the silver medal for long and gallant service, from the National Institution for the Preservation of Life from Shipwreck (today known as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)).

William’s son Robert Hood took over as Coxswain of the lifeboat in 1855 – he was himself commended with the silver medal for long and gallant service in 1863. Robert retired four years later after an application was made and accepted to instate Henry Hood, Robert’s brother, as his replacement.

Henry Hood, wearing a cork life-jacket and the Silver RNLI and Albert medal -awarded for his bravery whilst saving the crew of the Atlas.

In 1883, a Norwegian schooner named the Atlas ran aground on the Longscar Rocks. Eight horses and 15 seamen, including Coxswain Henry Hood, gathered to launch the lifeboat. The rough meant that the lifeboat could not be taken too close to the Longscar in case it too fell foul of the rocks. With limited vision due to the sleet and hail, Henry Hood and John Franklin took the brave decision to climb onto the Longscar, wade through the icy water and search the reef on foot. The two men made their way slowly until finally they spotted the vessel. They called back to the lifeboat, another crew member, Matthew Franklin, brought to them a heaving line which was thrown toward the Atlas and was caught by their Captain. There were now three men standing perilously on the open rocks, their brave actions could have cost them their lives if the sea had knocked them from their feet and swept them into open water but with great difficulty the rescue was made, and the five crew members of the Atlas were taken aboard the lifeboat. The Mate, who had jumped overboard, and the Captain who had been struck by the heaving line were barely conscious. Hood was dragged in last; he was battered, bruised and exhausted. But he and his crew, along with the rescued five,safely returned to the shore soonafter.

Henry Hood, John and Matthew Franklin, were all awarded silver medals for their bravery during the rescue of the Atlas. Henry also had the Albert Medal of the second class bestowed upon him by Queen Victoria.

The Albert Medal for lifesaving, awarded to Henry Hood after bravely rescuing the crew of the Atlas.

Henry eventually retired in August 1898 after 31 years as Coxswain of the Seaton Carew lifeboat. He and his crew were instrumental in saving 89 lives. On his retirement he was awarded the Silver Second Service Clasp Medal, a framed Certificate of Service from the R.N.L.I, and a silver watch, gold chain and £30 from the crew of the lifeboat and friends of Seaton Carew.

The silver pocket watch awarded to Henry Hood upon his retirement

All images copyright to the Museum of Hartlepool

 

The Middlesbrough Ambulance

Guest Blogger: Rebecca Lawrence, Teesside University intern at the Dorman Museum, Middlesbrough

Last year marked the centenary of the return of the ‘Middlesbrough Ambulance’, an historic moment for Middlesbrough during the First World War.

The inception of the vehicle, which has now been planted firmly in local history, began when the British Red Cross called for more ambulances for the Western Front. Middlesbrough Borough Council offered their new motor ambulance for service, as well as two volunteers to drive the vehicle. They were Alderman Alfred Mattison, ex-Mayor of Middlesbrough and former player and chairman of Middlesbrough Football Club and Phil Bach, the then chairman of Middlesbrough FC and a former England player.

An appeal was sent out for donations of blankets, socks, knitwear and cigarettes to be taken within the ambulance on its journey. This was met with enthusiasm from many local businesses and organisations including Middlesbrough FC, the North Riding Hotel and one of the largest local retailers, Dickson and Benson Ltd, who sent cigarettes which included a message written by one of the company’s female employees.

The public were able to view the motor ambulance when it was put on display at Middlesbrough Fire Station.

On the morning of October 24th, a large crowd gathered at the Town Hall, led by the mayor, civic officials and local sportsmen to see to see Mattison and Bach leave for their heroic adventures. The crowd showed their appreciation for the two men with a ‘Three Cheers!’ as the vehicle left the town for London, where the ambulance was given a makeover to meet War Office requirements including the addition of the Red Cross logo.

They continued their travels to cross the Channel into Boulogne on October 29th 1914, where the ambulance transported the wounded from trains to local hospitals and Hospital Ships. With over three thousand casualties arriving in Boulogne each day, the men were kept busy until the ambulance was sent to the Front as one of a convoy of fifteen vehicles.

Mattison and Bach transporting wounded soldiers to Hospitals and Hospital Ships in the Middlesbrough Ambulance

Later, Mattison recalled how their first “real glimpse” of war was a “dead horse lying by the wayside, a crudely fashioned graveside, the intense booming of the guns, the passing of the refugees and the glare of burning homesteads.” He told his family in letters that although the vehicle was difficult to drive due to its heavy weight and difficult road conditions, the Middlesbrough Ambulance was much admired by others, described as the “queen bee” of Red Cross motor ambulances.

Similarly, Bach wrote to family that he was “quite enjoying” his time on the Western Front and that he “would not have missed it for anything.”

They bravely continued to transport the wounded until the end of November, often through gunfire. However, it became apparent that the Middlesbrough Ambulance was becoming less suited for the increasingly muddy conditions of the Western Front. Mattison and Bach returned to France on December 13th to complete various tasks, including another spell on the Front with the No 2 Medical Army Corps.

However, by New Year’s Eve, it was decided that the Red Cross had enough vehicles and their services were no longer needed.

Mattison decided to return home on January 5th 1915 after hearing about the bombardment in Hartlepool, taking personal responsibility for returning the vehicle in a fit state for the future. He believed the ambulance would be needed for more urgent duties back in Middlesbrough.

Bach continued to serve for a different convoy before making his permanent return to Middlesbrough in early December 1918.

Whilst their remarkable adventure was over, their legacy of the Middlesbrough Ambulance continues to live on to this day.

Wounded Soldier standing beside the Middlesbrough Ambulance wearing a German helmet

If you want to find out more about Middlesbrough during World War One, local historian, Paul Menzies’ book ‘Middlesbrough: Remembering 1914-1918’, is currently available from the Dorman Museum shop, priced at £12.99.