3-003-677 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Funeral of Mr. Braidwood, the late Chief of the London Fire Brigade, in Abney-Park Cemetery, 1861. Braidwood died in the Tooley Street fire. 'Seldom if ever before in London has such a marked tribute of public respect been paid to a private individual. The London Rifle Brigade, the Tower Hamlets Volunteers, all the public and private fire brigades...formed part of the procession, which extended upwards of a mile in length. Every avenue...was blocked by a dense and almost impenetrable crowd, while throughout the entire length of the route along which it was to pass every path was thronged...The cortege, which was of a very imposing character, consisted of...about 1500 policemen; the firemen connected with the various brigades; the hearse and fifteen mourning-coaches...As the procession slowly approached...the bands pealing forth the Dead March, the mass of spectators, as if by an involuntary movement, all uncovered [ie took off their hats], and along the rest of the route this silent token of respect was everywhere observed. On reaching Abney Park the procession turned...down Church-street to the southern gates of the cemetery...the coffin was borne [into the Presbyterian Chapel] by the firemen of the London Brigade'. From "Illustrated London News", 1861.