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Rushden Argus, 27th September 1912
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Standing: J Sparrow, J Whiiting, Timson, E Bollard, Jaques, A Jaques, W Berridge
Sitting: C Green, Capt. F Knight, Second Officer Turner, and L Britchford
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Rushden tradesmen and townspeople who were interested enough to visit the Council yard, Newton-road, Rushden, on Saturday to see the fire brigade drill, must have been afforded much satisfaction.
In the first place the smartness of the men, from a purely spectacular point of view, was pleasing, but those who realised what that skill represented had a further pleasure.
The brigade on Saturday amply demonstrated the fact that it could cope with any contingency likely to occur within its area. A good number of spectators assembled, including several councillors and prominent townspeople.
The hose cart drill was the first item, and it proved an interesting foretaste of the brigade’s cleverness in the subsequent drills. Three teams competed. Then an exhibition display was given.
The escape drill was the most interesting. Heavy firemen were rescued from a platform quite as high as any habitable dwelling in Rushden, in a surprisingly rapid and clean manner.
The teams’ times were 1min. 3sec., 1min. 11½sec., and 1min. 4sec. respectively, while the exhibition drill took 54 4/5sec.
The four-men wet steamer drill was equally satisfying, and it was preceded by the demonstration of an interesting fact. The steamer fire was laid in the manner necessary for actual service, and in six minutes 100lb. of steam pressure was obtained. The drill consisted of men getting from the engine, taking hose from steamer, running with hose and connecting up, and finally hitting a small target with the jet. The times were: Second team, 29 1/5sec.; and third team, 28sec.
In the next drill, the five-men national steamer wet drill, in which four lengths of hose were used, a breeching brace, and two jets, the time was only 25 1/5sec.
Altogether the day was a most profitable one, and Captain Knight and Second Officer Turner are to be congratulated on the keenness and skill of their men.
Subsequently a tea was provided for the brigade.
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