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.
