Fire Brigade Medals

A fine Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire group of twenty-three to Captain Alfred Crouch, Chief Officer, Worthing Volunteer Fire Brigade

Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, 4th type, silver (Alfred Crouch, Royal Hotel, Worthing, 24th May 1901), with silver buckle on ribbon; National Fire Brigades Union L.S. Medal (2), 2 clasps, Five Years, with ‘Twenty Years’ brooch bar, edge stamped ‘87’, silver; another, 3 clasps, Five Years, edge stamped ‘146’, bronze, with brooch bar; Worthing Volunteer Fire Brigade Medal, 3 clasps, Five Years Service, engraved six-pointed star, rev. inscribed, ‘W.V.F.B. 1891, Captn. A. Crouch’, with brooch bar; National Fire Brigades Union Medallion, International Fire Tournament & Exhibition, London 1893, ‘For Services’, 45mm., bronze, unnamed; together with a number of Foreign Fire Brigade medals and medallions, including: Fire Brigade Congress Medal 1900, obv. fireman’s helmet; rev. inscribed, ‘Paris 1900 Fire Brigade Congress, Life Saving, Worthing, Awarded 1st & 2nd, Captn. A. Crouch’, 9ct. gold, hallmarks for Birmingham 1900; Belgium, Federation Royale des Pompiers (2), one enamelled; Belgium, Fédération de Sapeurs Pompiers Belges Medallion (2), Congress, Antwerp, 1894, 52mm., silver base metal; another, 9th Reunion, Gand, 1899, 51mm., gilt base metal; France, Société Nationale de Sauvetage Medal, gilt base metal, anchor suspension, unnamed, rosette on ribbon; Société Française de Sauvatage Medal, rev. inscribed, ‘A. Crouch, 1901’, silver; Fed. des Officiers de Sapeurs Pompiers, Member of Honour Badge, silver and enamel, rev. inscribed, ‘Captn. Crouch, Worthing’, pin-backed, some enamel damage; generally very fine (lot) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Fire Brigade Medals.

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Alfred Crouch had been originally in business in London as a builder, before moving to Worthing to benefit his health in 1870. There he continued in the building trade and later became Senior Overseer of the Borough. However, he came to prominence as a Fire Brigade Officer, being ‘Chief’ of the Worthing Volunteer Fire Brigade, 1887-1901. During his career he won many accolades (see below) including that of the Silver Medal of the Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire. The award was for the fire which broke out in the Royal Hotel, Worthing, on 24 May 1901. The Worthing Fire Brigade being called, it was found that a Mr and Mrs J. Rosher were trapped by the flames on the first floor. Captain Crouch carried the lady on his back, down the blazing staircase and out into the street to safety. Such was the blaze that the Brighton Volunteer Fire Brigade and Railway Fire Brigade had to be summoned before it could be brought under control. Crouch retired from the Worthing Fire Brigade in 1901 and died in 1927, aged 81 years.

Sold with a fine framed portrait photograph, 65 x 52.5cm. (approx.), of Captain Crouch; silver cup on wooden plinth, 23 x 10cm. (approx. dim. of cup), hallmarks for London 1894, inscribed, ‘Fire Brigades Review, Blenheim Park, 11th July 1895, Presented to the Worthing Fire Brigade by His Grace the Duke of Marlborough’; framed photographs, 66.5 x 41cm. (approx.), of the cup and Crouch and the cup-winning team; framed photograph, 42 x 38.5cm. (approx.), of Crouch and members of the Worthing Borough Fire Brigade, prize winners at the International Fire Brigades’ Congress, Paris, 1900; framed photograph, 34 x 29cm. (approx.), of the Royal Hotel Worthing in flames; two pairs of brass shoulder scales; and an illuminated Certificate of Appreciation to Captain Crouch, set in a decorated frame, 91 x 66.5cm. (approx.).

The Certificate, dated 1887-1901, reads: ‘Borough of Worthing Fire Brigade. Captain Alfred Crouch. This is to record the valuable, untiring and eminent services you have rendered to The Worthing Borough Fire Brigade, by your zeal and thorough aquaintance (sic) with the Fire Service several honors and distinctions having been awarded. Always ready and prompt to duties call. The Brigade were proud to be commanded by such a competent Officer as during the many years you have served, formerly in the Volunteer and laterly (sic) in the (present) Borough Brigade, you have never been found wanting either in leading your men or effectiveness of duty. - Your resignation was heard with profound regret. - But may you live long in good health and happiness to enjoy the Laurels you have so deservedly gained. Signed on behalf of the Borough Fire Brigade, Jesse Burchell, Superintendent.

The following are some of the awards gained and listed on the certificate: ‘Patronage of H.R.H. Duke of York; Long Service Medal with 3 bars; Duke of Marlborough’s Cup 1895; Silver Medal of the Royal Society for Protection of Life from Fire 1901; Diplôme d’Honneur Société Française de Sauvetage; Member d’Honneur de la Federation Royal de Belgique; Member d’Honneur de la Federation Sapeur Pompiers de France et d’Algerie; Member St. John Ambulance Association; Member N.F.B.U.; First for Life Saving (National), Paris 1900; Second for Saving (International), Paris 1900; Honorary Secretary (First) South Coast District N.F.B.U.; Chairman South Coast District N.F.B.U., 1900-1901; Staff Officer to Sir E. M. Shaw and Capt. Symonds, M.F.B.’

Also with N.F.B.U. letter accompanying the Fire Tournament and Exhibition Medallion 1893, with associated paper-clippings and newspaper cuttings and copies relating to the Worthing Fire Service, the Goring Hall fire 1888, Royal Hotel Worthing fire 1901 and Crouch’s obituary.