3-008-327 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Members of the Coventry Volunteer Fire Brigade, 1862. 'A movement was set on foot a short time since at Coventry with a view to the establishment of a volunteer fire brigade... the result being that some fifty or sixty gentlemen were quickly enrolled as members...Coventry is, we believe, the first town where the plan has been adopted...a few weeks ago this well-appointed, well-disciplined, and efficient-looking body of men, attired in their new uniforms, and having in their charge the county fire-engine and the fire-escape, celebrated their inauguration by a demonstration and a public dinner...Mr. Stanley, of Hertford- street, took a photograph of the brigade, with the object of its being transferred to the pages of this Journal...Dressed in a blue tunic of coarse woollen stuff, very much resembling a sailor's blouse, with black glazed hats or caps, not unlike regular firemen's helmets - the only feature in their uniform at all approaching ornamentation being a white Maltese cross, of somewhat similar material to the coats, on their breasts - the men looked exceedingly well; indeed, the tastefulness, simplicity, and neat ness of the dress were the subject of general remark'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.