The Lanarkshire Fire Area Administration Scheme Order, 1948

Establishment 2000

Establishment 2003

During the year 1870, Motherwell Burgh Council formed their first Fire Brigade under the charge of Part-time Firemaster Mr. James Young. Nine firemen were enrolled and their equipment consisted of a wheel barrow carrying one hand reel with 110 yards piping, standpipe and branch.
The Burgh of Motherwell was unique in as much as no members of the Police Force were members of the Fire Brigade.
Firemaster Young attended a number of fires during his term as Firemaster, the most notable being a fire at Baillie Millars Saw Mill in Hamilton Street where the Mill, unfortunately, was destroyed.
In 1887 the Burgh Fire Brigade was re-organised and Superintendent W. Kay of the Burgh Water Department replaced Mr. Young as Part-time Firemaster. A new Manual Fire Engine was purchased, the engine being drawn by two horses whenever a fire occurred. Firemaster/Superintendent Kay continued in this dual role until he retired in 1902.
Mr. James Dale succeeded Mr. McKay as the third Part-time Firemaster of the Burgh Brigade. Again there was a new introduction, when Mr. Dale proposed to the Burgh Council that fire-bells should be installed in each of the Part-time Firemen's houses. The Council agreed and the scheme was duly completed.
This was a great advantage, as previously the call-out procedure was that messengers from the scene of the fire were sent to the Police Station in High Road. It was then the Police responsibility to warn each Fireman of the call by going to the Firemen's individual home address. The Police, of course, had to walk to each house. The Firemen then ran to the Fire Station in High Road to get out their Manual Fire Engine and obtain the supplied horses to draw the Engine to the fire.
When Firemaster Dale retired in 1899, Part-time Firemaster Purdie took over the reigns of office.
The Brigade attendance at fires increased as to the rapid growth of the towns population.
Mr. Purdie's major fires were at Hurst Nelsons and Chambers Saw Mill. The first fatal accident from burns occurred at Brown's Firewood Factory.
The fire cost an apprentice boy his life, when his clothing caught fire, being the first death to occur in the history of the Brigade since the formation in 1870 - a remarkable achievement.
During the year 1920, the Burgh of Motherwell and the Burgh of Wishaw amalgamated and became known as Motherwell and Wishaw Large Burgh.
The joint Town Council in 1921 decided to replace the Manual Fire Engines at Motherwell and Wishaw with a Motor Fire Engine and it was proposed to erect a Fire Station at Knowetop, Motherwell.
The separate Burghs continued, in the meantime, to run to fires; Firemaster Purdie covering Motherwell and Firemaster Walker, Wishaw.
The years 1920 to 1926 were lean years for the new Joint Committee. Both towns were heavily in debt and to add to their troubles, unemployment within the Burghs increased steadily. This period in Scottish history was known as the "Depression Years".
The proposal to purchase a Motor Appliance received a certain amount of criticism but it was heavily outweighed by the protests within the Town Council and the columns of the local papers regarding the erection of a new Fire Station and houses for Firemen at Knowetop. Bitter were the attacks within the Council Chambers as to the wisdom of incurring more debt by building a Fire Station. Ultimately the Town Council went ahead with both proposals.
The Foundation Stone of the new premises at Knowetop was laid by Provost McLees, J.P. on 29th September, 1925. The final cost of the new Fire Station amounted to £13,000.
It is of interest to note that behind the Foundation Stone there is a Casket containing historical documents, etc. The contents should be listed in this History of the Lanarkshire Fire Brigade.
(a) Minutes of the Town Council for September, 1925.
(b) Town Council Year Book.
(c) Town Council Standing Orders.
(d) Descriptive sketches of the towns of Motherwell and Wishaw.
(e) Photographs of the Annual Inspection of Water Works for 1925
(f) Various newspapers.
(g) Collection of Coins of the Realm.

(The Casket will require to be recovered when the existing Fire Station is demolished.)

In anticipation of more fire calls within future years, the Town Council decided to appoint a Professional Firemaster to the Brigade. This progressive move meant that for the first time since 1870, there would be a permanent full-time Officer to cover both towns.
From the many applications received the choice was the Firemaster of Helensburgh, Mr. Francis Cormack. No better choice could have been made as was brought out during the years ahead. Firemaster Cormack's appointment took place on the 18th August, 1922.
The Halley Fire Engine had not been delivered to the Burgh and it was unfortunate when Firemaster Cormack took up residence in Motherwell, he found there was no fire engine for him to man. In fact the Engine did not arrive until 1st May, 1923.
During the period of awaiting the arrival of the Fire Engine, Part-time Firemaster Purdie continued to run to fires in Motherwell and Part-time Firemaster Walker in Wishaw. The Manual Fire Engines were used and it is known that at least two call outs occurred in both towns during the period of wait.
Firemaster Cormack contended himself with the build up of administration and visiting the ever increasing number of Buildings, Factories and Steel Works within both towns to familiarise himself with their fire risks.
Prior to the arrival of the new Engine, a Driver/Mechanic was employed on the 13th April, 1923, as the second full time Fireman. The appointment was J. Arbuckle. The part-time members continued to run to fires and at that time were the main fire fighters under the charge of Firemaster Cormack and Part-time Firemaster Purdie.
Firemaster's Purdie's years of service came to a close on the 28th April, 1924. The Ceremony of Retiral was held within the precincts of the Motherwell Swimming Building. Mr. Purdie had acted as Part-time Firemaster from 1899 to 1924, twenty five years, during which time he showed great dedication to his duties as Firemaster of Motherwell Fire Brigade.
In 1927, it was realised by the Town Council and Firemaster Cormack that a more permanent form of Fire Brigade required to be formed. The Fire Station building was completed by January 1927 and it was decided to recruit two additional Firemen full-time who would also serve at their trades during the periods they were not engaged in fire fighting.
The appointments were duly made on the 13th May, 1927; H. Terris, a Blacksmith to trade and H. Martin, a joiner to trade. Both men were employed at their respective trades within the Fire Station premises.
In 1931, it was again decided to increase the strength of the Full-time Brigade and on 18th January, 1938, J. Calderwood, a Joiner to trade, joined H. Martin in the Joiners Shop.
A proportion of the Daily Duties consisted of the Professional Firemen carrying out Fire Drills and Exercises. The remainder of the day being devoted to the Tradesmen carrying out their respective trades.
The Part-time Firemen had been housed within the Station since it was completed and when ever there was a fire call assisted the Professional Firemen. J. Arbuckle built on a Ford chassis, a body and lockers for carrying fire fighting equipment. This now gave the Brigade two fire appliances to run to fires.
The next major step was the introduction of the Auxiliary Fire Service in 1938 and the arrival of a new modern Dennis Fire Appliance. Recruitment to the A.F.S. was good and soon both the Knowetop Station and the old fire station in High Road resounded to the shouts of the A.F.S. men carrying out their drills.
On the 3rd September, 1939, war was declared, and the A.F.S. Firemen found they were now Whole-time members of the Motherwell and Wishaw Fire Brigade.
This situation continued until the formation of the National Fire Service on 18th August, 1941, when the Burgh Brigade was absorbed into the Western Area of the N.F.S.
(Typed from a document of unknown origin 16/12/1997.)

On Friday 9th February 1990 at the now disused Fire Station, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell. A Time Capsule which had been buried at a commemorative ceremony by the then Provost of Motherwell and Wishaw T. Stuart McLean, on September 29th, 1925 to commission the first purpose built Fire Brigade building for the Burghs of Motherwell and Wishaw at an estimated cost of 11,503.11.6d. which included a 300 cost for electric lighting. The station served the Burghs up to the opening in 1978 of the existing Station and Headquarters building adjoining the old Fire Station.
The Time Capsule was being unearthed prior to the demolishing of the old building and the honour was given to Mrs. Isobel McKidd of "E" Division Headquarters to accept the capsule on behalf of "E" Division, as her father William Shearer was present at the original ceremony in 1925, and had told her that they had buried money in it. The capsule was opened by Deputy Firemaster Jameson and Provost James Armstrong from Motherwell District, who examined and displayed the contents to the gathered crowd.
The contents of the Capsule are being safely stowed at "E" Division Headquarters, Motherwell and will subsequently be relocated within a Cairn which is to be built within the grounds of Motherwell Fire Station and Headquarters.
( From page 5, Aye Ready, Issue eight, Spring 1990.)