FIRE BRIGADE VETERAN

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 194, 18 May 1928, Page 7

FIRE BRIGADE VETERAN

DEATH OF MR. T. M. WIMSETT

The death occurred on Tuesday morning (states the “Nelson Mall”) of Mr. Thomas Martin Wimsett, one of Nelson’s oldest settlers and for many years in the past captain of the Nelson Volunteer Fire Brigade. Mr. Wimsett, who was 80 years of age, was born at Seven Oaks, Surrey, England, and arrived at Lyttelton with his parents in ■ the ship Canterbury in 18-51. ■ His father worked for Anderson and Company, Christchurch, for eighteen months, when Mr. Charles Harley, senior, offered him a position in Nelson as shoeing smith for the. firm. Mr. Wimsett, senior, decided to accept and removed with his family to Nelson district at the latter end of 1852. Two years after .vnr-ls he commenced business as a blacksmith and coachbuilder on his own account in Bridge Street, on the site of the present Y.M.C.A. building, taking his eldest sou Henry into partnership. In the early days It was a common sight to see bullocks as well as horses shod at Wimsett and Sons’ smithy. In 1880 Mr. Wimsett

senior, died, and left his share in the business to the younger son (Thomas), and after that the two brothers carried on under the old style. In 1894 the elder brother died, leaving the younger sole proprietor until his retirement througli ill-health. In 1860 Mr. Wlmsett joined the Nelson Volunteer Fire Brigade, and he was the last of the original members of that body, having served up to his retirement 40 years of faithful and continuous service, during which time he rose from fireman, step by step, until he attained the position of captain, and received the longservice medal and bars, and also the Dominion Fire Brigades’ Association gold star. In 1907 Captain Wimsett retired from the brigade, having rendered splendid service to the brigade and public. His services were recognised by the citizens and insurance companies by the presentation of a gold watch suitably inscribed, lie also took a keen Interest in volunteering and was one of the original members of the old artillery cadets, which afterwards became the H Battery, serving 28 years as a volunteer and artillery ofUcer. He also held the long-service medals. Mr. Wimsett rose to commissioned rank and when he retired on account of business responsibilities he was presented with an illuminated address. He was also entitled to the Qfieen’s Decoration V.D., but he retired prior to receiving this. lie was a keen sportsman at all times In his younger days, and an excellent shot, and tied for the Carbine Belt Championship with the late Captain Paynter. Mr. Wimsett manufactured the first bicycle seen or ridden in Nelson, and it caused a deal of excitement in those days. He rode the machine to Foxhill and back, being the first to do so. He was of a very kindly disposition, extremely generous, and with Mrs. Wimsett did much tor those in need. Mr. Wimsett was one of the oldest members of the Southern Star Lodge and also a member of the Loyal Nelson Lodge of Oddfellows for some CO years, but his health in latter years did not allow him to take any active part.. He Is survived by two sisters. Mrs. H. Sanders. New Plymouth, and Mrs. W. E. Brown. Walnpi Street, Nelson, and five sons and three daughters, namely—Arthur (Palmerston North), George (Blenheim), Selby (Wellington), Lome (Oakland. California), Hesse (Nelson), Miss Wimsett (Nelson), Mrs. Powneeby and Mrs. Rowo (Wellington).