Fire Service Medal

[danmoorhouse]

This has been posted on the guestbook of the KDLHS website, can anyone help?

I'm about to collect a medal that I have agreed to purchase for my collection. I've not seen one like it before, but it was awarded in September 1879 to a John Banks for in excess of 21 years service in the Keighley Fire Brigade.

Has anybody ever come across such a medal and does anybody know of a Fireman John Banks from this period? So far my census etc. searches have not yielded any definitive information on him or his possible family, but I have seen the photo on the internet showing the Force in 1878 and so I believe that John Banks would be one of the men in that photo.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely,


Nick Millard

[maryb]

I think this could be your man,bearing in mind he lived for at least 30year within a short distance of the Fire Station on Coney lane keighley.
John Banks born @ 1836 trawden lancs.
he married harriett hey born keighley @ 1837 died 1891,they married Kly 1857.
John was a Tailor /Draper
Children David 1859 also a Tailor went to london
Martha Ann 1862
sarah Alice 1860/3 married I think William Dyson 1888.
There was a death for a Sarah Alice Dyson in Keighley 1889.

I found the photo and read about someones relative being a fireman in those days when they had to live close to the station so they could here the bell ring when there was a fire,and come to the conclusion that the John I have posted info about could be your man.

Maryb

[maryb]

Forgot the info from census.
1861 He was on Low Bridge District 33 image 33

1871 Low Bridge/The walk D 31 > 41

1881 9,Parkwood street D 35> 2

Martha Ann Banks married Smith Binns born 1854-1896 they married Kly 1883.

Mary

[les972]

The medal you are talking about is still issued today, to firemen who have completed 20 years service and it is just known as the "long service medal"