Are there any Fire service records?

[terrysfamily]

George Samuel WATKINS of Craven Arms, Shropshire.

Apparently George served in both wars. He is commemorated on the remembrance memorial at Stokesay as one of those who served and returned from WW1.

He was also in the Fire Service in Craven arms. He lived there pre WW1 till his death in 1963.

I have sent an email and had a reply regarding his records for his time in the fire service to the Shropshire Fire Service but they do not hold any records from that far back.

Does anyone know if the is such a database on-line?

[Jan1954]

I wonder if the Fire Heritage Network would be able to help you, Terry:
http://www.
fire-heritage-network.org/

[terrysfamily]

Thanks Jan, I'll take a look.

[Lynsey]

hi
george samual watkins is my great grandad I have aslo been told that he served in both the wars. his son was killed in holland in the second world war. There is a photo in the family of him in his fire uniform somewhere in the family but I am not sure who has this now.
I have also tried to trace these recs but have got nowhere, My husband is also in the fire service for shropshire and has been unable to find anything.
I am going to ask my nan if she knows anything or if there are any photos of him will advise you if i can find some if you are interested.

regards Lynsey

[terrysfamily]

Hi Lynsey,

George Samuel Watkins is the father of my uncle Dennis. Dennis lives in Australia and was/is married to my Dad's sister Barbara.

Look here

http://www.
midlandsheritage.co.uk/war-memorials/6441-stokesay-craven-arms.html

If you look at the 5th picture down you will find George T Watkins who was killed in the Netherlands during WW2 (actual death date 13 Nov 1944).

The 6th picture has George Samuel Watkins. This is a part of the memorial dedicated to those who fought and returned from the great war WW1.

I too contacted Shropshire Fire Service about their time in service but sadly their records don't go back that far.

I have also looked for newspaper reports of one of Georges son's, Leslie d.1954, who was killed on the A49 but have not yet found anything. The only place I was told that had the right newspapers of the time was Llandrindod Wells Archives but when I got there they told me that although they say they have them they are actually housed at the library in Llandod (Llandrindod). That day I was rather busy and didn't have time to visit the Library.

I would be very interested in a photo if you have one, thank you very much.

Terry.

[Chris Doran]

As local councils ran their own fire brigades at that time, you might find mention of him in council minutes. At one time, our council minutes recorded every "shout", though individuals weren't named. You will have to seek out the library which has them and do a lot of poring. Hopefully, they're indexed and/or there was a Fire Brigade Committee to limit your searches. But unless he did something noteworthy, don't expect more than starting and leaving dates and maybe mention of illness or injury.

Our local fire station has some of its early log books, which one day I may get around to examining.

[Lynsey]

I have visited both this war memorial and the graves at stokesay. The other Watkins I B under this name is likely to be Ivor Baden Watkins george samuel younger brother. I understand that Barbara visited the uk not long back she went to see my nan.
As far as I am aware Leslie was hit by a army truck on the a49, but that is really all I know. The fourth brother Charles went away to work on a farm but the lodgings were not up to standard and he contracted something which he died from in 1941. George t was visiting a grave of one of his comrades when a bomb was dropped on the graveyard and he was killed, I am not sure how true this is but it is the story that has been passed to me through the family.

If I can be of any further help please let me know

Lynsey

[terrysfamily]

Yes Aunty Barbara was over in June I think it was. I have had a message off her daughter who came with her saying they'll be visiting again in about 20 months. Hope the weather is better for them next time.

You have given me quite a bit to go on here, thank you very much.

Do you know the actual date of birth of George Samuel Watkins? all I have is the qtr Oct 1894 Cardiff, Glamorganshire. His death was 9th April 1963 at The Royal Salop Infirmary, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

Terry

[Lynsey]

The birth date for George samuel is 20th sep 1894. I have a tree on ancestry which I can give you access to if you let me know your e-mail address somehow. I am also in contact with Eleanor's son in America the daughter of George Samuel and he has given me some information if you need anything more.

Lynsey

[terrysfamily]

Thank you very much. I'll send you my email address in a private message. You should see it come up in 'Notifications' at the top of the screen.

Terry