History of the RMA
The RMA was formed in 1930. Activity of the Association was suspended when the Brigade was mobilized in 1939. When the National Fire Service was disbanded in 1948, and the LFB was reinstated under the LCC the activities of the RMA resumed with a dinner in Soho.
Unfortunately no records remain of pre war activities except for the two booklets containing the details of members also a photograph of the dinner in late 1948.
Within the first book which was the first to be published is recorded the details of S.G. Gamble who joined the brigade as Deputy Chief Officer in 1892 and retired in that position in 1917.
Also listed is Sir Sampson Sladen who joined the Brigade in1899 and retired in 1918.

In the blue booklet, which dates from 1933, Major Morris is recorded as the Chief Officer and Patron of the Association together with Mr. Dyer the former Chief who retired in 1932.
Serving on the Committee is Clarina Shaw son of Sir Eyre Massey Shaw the Brigade’s first Chief Officerappointed in 1865.

The photograph is a record of a dinner held at Oddenions restaurant in late 1948, which marked the revival of the Association following the War. The members in the photo were the backbone of the Brigade who served through the Blitz, within the gathering is Major Jackson, Commander Firebrace and Mr. Delve, who subsequently became Sir Frederick Delve and Mr Sullivan all senior members of the Brigade. Also in the photo is George Bennison who as Secretary of the RMA was instrumental in reviving the RMA and Dinner.George remained as Secretary until 1970 when Jim Syrett took over.
Ron Borrows took over the References of Treasurer and Ron Alsford as Secretary. Also a re-organisation of finances and layout of the organisation was undertaken. In this period there were some 1500 members scattered all over the country and abroad. A system was introduced which aligned membership into a District in which you lived. These districts were called “Branches”. Therefore you had branches in London based on Divisional Boundaries i.e. “A” Division, ”C” Division etc. covering the 11 Divisions and then intothe counties i.e. Devon, Cornwall, East Anglia etc. and so forth and so on.

There was also an Overseas and Others Branch so named to cover all overseas members and “Others” covered areas in UK were membership was low perhaps Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
Each Branch had a Branch Organiser who collected subscriptions, issued annual re-union tickets and did all other administrative duties, in particular visiting members in hospital, attending funerals, informing the FSNBF of members who had problems including Widows. He was available to give advice to next of kin in the event of a death on the procedure to be followed in respect of canceling pensions.
This is still the essence of the organisation to-day but we have developed a Women’s Branch covering retired women firefighters and widows.
In the mid eighties a National Association of Retired Firefighters was formed to safeguard pensions and pensioners with Membership of the Public Services Council, Age Concern. London was well represented through the good offices mainly of Bill Meaden. London withdrew its membership from the National association of Retired Firefighters in 2001.
Stronger links with London Fire Brigade Welfare and the National Fire Services Benevolent were forged after the withdrawal from NARF. London RMA became stronger in its own references not being required to follow national criteria.
George Perren had retired in 1988 and with the death of Ron Alsford became Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and London’s Representative on the National Council of NARF.
Whilst in office, he initially on behalf of the National Association and London RMA set up and organised the “Blitz” September Memorial Service. The theme being to hold a memorial Service in a Church within the City which had been partially destroyed in the “Blitz” and then rebuilt. This service was followed by a march through the City and a wreath laying at the “Blitz” Statue near St. Paul’s Cathedral. The service was to be held on a Sunday very close to the date of 7th September 1940 when the blitz of London commenced. This was undertaken for three years by London RMA. The early services and marching contingents comprised of many London and National Firemen and Women who had served during the war years.
This ceremony still continues but is now a National Service of Remembrance because the “Blitz” Statue was raised up one metre and tablets inserted which now contain all the names of Male and Female Fire-Fighters who have been killed on duty in the United Kingdom since Fire Brigades were formed. It is unfortunate perhaps that names have to be added each year. The Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust is responsible for the statue and its ceremonies.

For many years George Perren Secretary of the LFB-RMA through correspondence requested the Royal British Legion to include a detachment of Firefighters in the National Remembrance Service and Parade at the Cenotaph in Whitehall but was refused on the grounds quote ‘That you are not part of the armed forces, and are a civilian organisation’. Gerry Clarkson, RMA Chairman became involved by writing to the Queen Mother, The Queen and Prime Minister of the day. Replies indicated that the Royal British Legion were responsible for the Service and Parade. A change of heart was made and since 2000 a contingent of ex Firefighters and members of families of Firefiighters parade at Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday with members of the armed forces in the presence of the Queen.

Another object which was achieved by George was to admit retired members who were also members of the Welfare fund to take part in the Brigade Welfare Lottery. The first objection was because Welfare Members of the Brigade could have the monthly lottery payment deducted from their salaries BUT monies could not be deducted from Pensions. There was a change in administration in respect of monies being paid through an agency and this opened the door to Retired Fire Fighters joining the Lottery. The Retired Members are now he biggest single unit in the Brigade lottery, each month many retired members receive prize monies including the top payment of £10,000.
George retired after twelve years of service and placed the RMA under the safe guardianship of Barry Sargent as Secretary. With separate offices for Treasurer, Membership Secretary and Newsletter Editor. The Districts have now been reduced but the organisation is very healthy, and the good work set up in the past continues today, with volunteers looking after the welfare of our members in retirement.