Blue light legend’s pic treasure trove
A haul of nostalgic photos sheds new light on the impressive life of a North Tyneside fire service “legend”.
While researching their family tree, father and son Wilf and Scott Andrews were delighted to uncover a treasure trove of old photos of their beloved dad and grandad.
Wilfred Andrews Snr is still remembered as a “local law enforcement and fire service legend”, according to Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS).
A respected pillar of the community, he was born and bred in Blyth, and remained proud of his North East roots throughout his life, his family said.
He started off his blue light career back in 1932 as a Police Constable walking the beat in Tynemouth, before spending 13 successful years in the fire service.
He became a firefighter at Tynemouth Fire Station in 1933, becoming Chief Fire and Ambulance Officer of the County Borough of Tynemouth in 1938.
He played a key role in the protection of the region during World War Two, becoming Column Officer and then Acting Divisional Officer (1941) and Divisional Officer (1942) and progressing to become Company Officer in Charge of Tynemouth Fire Station in 1945.
He organised, controlled and trained the Auxiliary Fire Service, Police and Fire Brigade in Tynemouth, took charge of the Division of Tynemouth, Wallsend, Blyth, Whitley Bay, Seaton Valley, Longbenton and Forest Hall during the war years, and was commended by Regional Commissioner Sir Arthur Lambert after an enemy action raid.
In 1957 at the age of 48, Wilfred was so well regarded in the region that he went down to London to receive an MBE for his services to the local community from the
Queen. On retiring from life in the emergency services he pursued a couple of other avenues including working with his family in the local amusements trade, also as a chief security officer before taking over as the landlord of The Three Wheat Heads in Thropton, Northumberland.
But he was a firefighter to the very end, with a vintage fire engine from Tynemouth Community Fire Station leading his funeral cortege in January 1990 when he was laid to rest.
His son, Wilf Andrews, now 83, and grandson Scott were thrilled when they came across the old photographs which reignited fond memories of the local hero.
Wilf said: “It was quite good growing up in a fire service family. I used to go down to a number of the fire stations with my dad. I loved all of the different yarns he used to spin about the fire brigade including dramatic stories about some of the fires he’d attended. I remember him talking about when he collected a brand new fire engine and drove it all the way up to the North East. Excellent memories.
“I knew all of the firefighters that used to work with my dad. They were lovely fellas. I used to have a good craic with them. Everyone seemed to admire my dad.”
He added: “I’ve always been very proud of me dad, and for what he achieved. People used to come up and tell me what he was like during the war. He seemed to be a courageous type of guy, and when he died, a police inspector said some nice words about him – saying that he was always the first person in when there was a fire and he would rally the crews by telling them ‘... come on lads let’s get it sorted’’.
“I once bumped into someone in the street who told me when my
father was in the police force he was frightened of nobody. That was the impression I got of him throughout his life. He was never ever intimidated by anybody. It didn’t matter who it was, and I think that’s why he got where he did in his accomplished career and made Chief Fire Officer.”
Although Wilfred’s MBE and a medal have long hung in pride of place in Wilf’s home, rediscovering the archive of photographs was a great feeling for the family, who had also found a number of old news stories about Wilfred in the British Newspaper Archive, and decided to share what they’d found with current staff at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service in North Tyneside.
Scott, 50, said: “We are always talking about our grandad as he’s an integral part of our history. We’re extremely lucky to have someone
who lived life to the full and had an amazing lifetime of stories to share with us.”
Martin Farrow, service delivery manager for Tynemouth Community Fire Station, said: “It was a great privilege for Wilf, Scott and his family to share their special nostalgic memories with us. We are very proud of our fire service heritage and especially of people who’ve made such a difference in yesteryear that has helped us become what we are today. Mr Andrews was obviously deeply regarded by the local people for his achievements to be recognised by Her Majesty the Queen with the MBE.”