REWARD OF MERIT

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1928, Page 12

REWARD OF MERIT

SERVICE MEDALS AND BARS The members of the, Greymouth Fire Brigade held a social gathering last evening on the occasion of the presentation of long service medals and bars to six of its members. Mr. Jesse Steer, Chairman of the Grey Fire Board made the presentations, and Superintendent Clarke presided. Among those present was Mr. J. Keating, whose record as a fireman dated back into the early days of the brigade. After the usual loyal toast had been given, the following toasts were proposed: —“United Fire Brigades Association” by Foreman Mclntosh, response by V.P. Deere and P.P. Walton “Grey Fire Board” by Mr. J. Keating, response Mr. J. Steer (Chairman) ; “Greymouth Borough Council,” by Secretary Walton, response Foreman J. McDermott; “Service Recipients” by Foreman White, response each of the recipients; “Suburban Brigade” by Fireman Pring, ■ response Firemen McDermott (High Street) and Stent (Blaketown); “Cobden Fire Brigade” by Fireman Nelson, response by Firemen Anderson and Schultz; “Greymouth Fire Brigade” by Mr. T. Oxenham response by the officers. “The Musicians,” “The Custodians,” “The Ladies,” and “The Press” were also honoured.*

During the evening, musical and other items were given by Firemen Cawley, Nelson, McDermott, Mclntosh, Steel and Bush.

The Chairman of the Grey Fire Board, Mr. J. Steer, said the pleasant duty of recognising the service of the members of the Brigade was always one which afforded considerable satisfaction. Looking round him he noticed some members -who had grown old in the service of the Greymouth Brigade, whose medals, service bars, and 25-years’- service gold stars gave evidence of that peculiar phase of fire fighting, which seemed to appeal to those who became members of a fire brigade. It was remarkable how year after year members stuck to their posts. There was not much hpnour and .glory attached to their work. It was utilitarian in character, and generally had to be performed at night time, for most fires broke out at night. All that the firemen had to look forward to was the award of their long service decorations. It said much for the spirit which pervaded the Greymouth Fire Brigade, that some of those whose names appeared on the list for honours were men -with nearly forty years’ service. Despite this long service they looked fit for many years still, if they desired to keep in active work. He then pinned the following decorations on the coats of the men before him;. — Sub-Superintendent P. Deere: 2year gold bar —37 years’ service completed July 1928. Fireman John Grogan, 2-year gold bar; 37 years’ service July 1928. Branehman Henry Blocksage: 2year gold bar; 27 years’ service July 1928. Fireman Thomas Dumbleton: 2-year silver bar; 15 years’ service June 1928. Motorman Alfred White: 2-year silver bar; 7 years’ service May 1928. Fireman Anthony H. Cawley: Silver medal for 5 years’ service July 1928. The banquet tables, which were set by Mrs. Garth, and her assistants, were tastefully laid out, and were loaded with good things, to which ample justice was done by the members and visitors present.