National Fire Brigades Association. Silver 20 years long service medal, with integral 'Twenty Years' bar, and 3 x further service '5 Years' bars. Officially numbered & named (3582 Joseph B. Brooke.)

Total service represented by this medal is 35 years service - the clock starting from the time that the recipients Fire Brigade had been a member of the National Fire Brigades Association, and NOT from when the recipient had first become a Fireman.... 

The medal retaining its original silk riband, and retaining its white metal mounting bar complete with hinged pin & clasp fittings as issued

The medal with makers and silver assay hallmarks on the reverse. The silver hallmark for Birmingham with letter 'J' for year 1933

Recipient Photographs: There are several captioned / identified photographs of the recipient in the local Yorkshire newspapers including a group photograph

There are numerous articles / references appertaining to the recipient published in local Yorkshire, England newspapers, and far too many to here cite / quote. We are however below quoting the below following two articles that provide a good account of the recipients exceptionally long service as England's most senior and longest serving Fireman

Quote ('The Leeds Mercury; issue of 21 May 1928);

Fifty-two Years a Fireman

Superintendent Brooke, of the Heckmondwike Fire Brigade, who has just been presented with the long-service medal of the National Fire Association, has unbroken record of fifty-two years’ service. It was in 1876 that joined the Heckmondwike Unity Fire Brigade, and when the local authority assumed control in 1892 he was appointed deputy-superintendent. He has been superintendent since 1912. He claims to be the oldest fireman in England. Having attended over four hundred fires, Mr. Brooke recalled that, once, at the White Lee Chemical Works fire, over fifty years ago, he got a man out of a tank of boiling oil. In contrast, at great mill fire at Mirfield, the cold was so intense that the jet of water from the hose in his hands froze as it came from the nozzle. Mr. Brooke has several decorations, including one presented to him by Queen Victoria. He was a vice-president of the Yorkshire Fire Brigade Society and of the National Fire Brigade society.

Other Long Records. The Heckmondwike Fire Brigade has several members with unusually long records of service. In addition to Mr. Brooke there is the assistant-superintendent, Mr. Harrison, with forty-one years’ actual service. Mr. Harry Brooke, Mr. Graham Brooke, and Mr. R. H. Phillips have all been with the brigade for thirteen years or more. The thirty-five years’ service medal has been presented to Mr. Harrison, and the ten years’ medal to the three others'.

Unquote.

Quote ('The Leeds Mercury' issue of, 6 May 1930);

Heckmondwike is justly proud of the Deputy Superintendent of it's fire brigade, MR. J. B. Brooke, who is 77, and still going strong. He attended the demonstration of the Yorkshire Fire Brigades Friendly Society at Pontefract last Saturday for the 54th time. His career as a Fireman began at the age of 23. When the Heckmondwike brigade was reorganised in 1892, Mr. Brooke was appointed Deputy Superintendent, a position he has held ever since. His proudest experience was when he received from Queen Victoria the Diamond Jubilee Medal for 32 continuous service, and he is the only person living still wearing one of these medals.

During his career he has saved two lives from drowning, and four from death by fire. all together he has attended over 400 fires, the last being only a fortnight ago.

Unquote   

Quote ('The Leeds Mercury' issue of, 26 October 1931):

COFFIN CARRIED ON FIRE ENGINE

Over 100 firemen, representing Dewsbury, Shipley, Bradford, English Electrical (Bradford), Heckmondwike, Spenborough, Pudsey, Flush Mills (Heckmondwike), Bingley, Doncaster, Leeds City, Batley, Leeds C.W.S. Boot Works, Scandinavia Mills (Cleckheaton), Harrogate and Morley brigades attended the funeral, on Saturday, at Heckmondwike cemetery, of Mr. J. B, Brooke. a former superintendent of Heckmondwike Fire Brigade, who claimed to be the oldest fire-fighter in England in length of service.

The coffin, on which rested his helmet and tunic, was carried on the Spenborough fire engine, while the Dewsbury engine carried a large number of floral tributes.

Unquote.

Joseph Benoni Brooke, son of George Brooke (a 'Stationer') and Mary Brooke (nee Crowther) was a native of Heckmondwike, Yorkshire, England, where he was born circa 1853. By trade a 'Mason' Joseph was also a volunteer fireman, serving his local Heckmondwike Fire Brigade for more then 54 years. He was appointed Deputy Superintendent in 1892, then Superintendent from 1912. At time of his death he was holding the appointment of 'Honorary Superintendent'. A well known figure in the local community, Joseph Brooke led a long and healthy life, was twice married and had 12 x children several of his sons also serving in the local Fire Brigade with their father, and in subsequent generations after his passing. Joseph Brooke is recorded to have died at Heckmondwike on, 20 October 1931
 
A superb medal of type and of considerable of national fire brigades & Heckmondwike local history interest

Condition: Toned GVF

Code: 25551