Published: Tuesday, 6th May, 2008 16:30
Family history for Catherine
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GENERATION GAME: Aiden Robertson at the old fire engine which was driven by his great grandfather. Below, Greenock Municipal Buildings, once the fire station location, in days gone by.
GREENOCK reader Catherine Hurrell had many memories rekindled when reading our recent feature on the proposed fire brigade museum in the Municipal Buildings.
To recap, the location of the project is where Greenock fire station was prior to its move to Rue End Street in 1960.
Catherine told me: “My father, the late Jim Gisbey, began service with what was known as Western Area Fire Brigade in the mid 1950s.
“I was born in 1957 and we lived in the fire brigade buildings across the street from the station, around where the retail park is today.
“My father was well known as the union representative for many years and also would have been responsible for teaching many others to drive the fire engines, including the Dennis shown in the Tele’s recent story.
“I can specifically remember when the engines were upgraded from TLs — turntable ladders — to the Simon Snorkel engines.”
Sadly, Jim Gisbey died at the untimely age of 48 while still on active service. Shortly before his death, Jim received a medal of commendation for bravery at a Dempster Street blaze and a medal for 25 years’ service.
Catherine said: “He had a funeral with full honours and flag, helmet and axe on the coffin.”
The top picture shows Catherine’s grandson, Aiden Robertson, with the old fire engine his great grandfather drove. It was taken at a Fire and Water Festival.
The other photograph shows the Municipal Buildings where the fire station was located until 1960. Catherine Hurrell was brought up in fire brigade property across the street. The date of this picture is likely to be before 1920.
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