Plaque

James Braidwood

Erection date: 22/3/1862

Inscription

{At the centre of the wreath:}
To the memory of James Braidwood, superintendent of the London Fire Brigade, who was killed near this spot in the execution of his duty at the great fire on 22nd June 1861.
{On the flat support:}
A just man and one that feared god, of good report among all the nation.
Erected by the M. or Southwark Division of the Metropolitan Police.
{Beneath the support:}
S. H. Gardiner, New Kent Road

What a great plaque. The inscription is inside a laurel wreath, in front of a burning building. A hose snakes from the building, over the top of the wreath and coils up at the bottom right while over at the left rests a fireman's helmet. The imagery includes a fire engine and an axe. The quote is from the Bible, Acts 10:22. Unveiled by the Revd Dr John Cumming (Church of Scotland).

Our researches show that Gardiner registered as a "monumental mason" which seems excessively modest for the creator of this inventive piece of sculpture. We are disappointed not to be able to find any other work by him.

Site: James Braidwood (1 memorial)

SE1, Tooley Street, 33

Plaque is on the Cottons Lane side of the building. Braidwood Street (named after our hero), a little to the west of this plaque is now just a stump of a road leading off Tooley Street into an underground car park.

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This section lists the subjects commemorated on the memorial on this page:
James Braidwood

Subjects commemorated i

Great fire of Tooley Street

From the picture source website: "The fire started in consignment of jute sto...

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London Fire Brigade

The London Fire Engine Establishment, formed in 1833 under the leadership of ...

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James Braidwood

Firefighter. Born Edinburgh where he formed the world's first municipal fire ...

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This section lists the subjects who helped to create/erect the memorial on this page:
James Braidwood

Created by i

Metropolitan Police

Founded in 1829 by Robert Peel under the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 and on ...

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Samuel Henry Gardiner

Andrew Behan has researched this man:  Samuel Henry Gardiner was born on 27 J...

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Nearby Memorials

Hampden Gurney - 2002

Hampden Gurney - 2002

W1, Forset Street

The designers of this plaque seem to be anticipating the need for additional memorials.

1 subject commemorated
Christ Church School - Kendall

Christ Church School - Kendall

SW3, Christchurch Street

The quotation comes from a school morning prayer much quoted on the net but we could find no source.

2 subjects commemorated
St Benet Sherehog Church - blue

St Benet Sherehog Church - blue

EC4, Pancras Lane

The Taxation plaque is the one nearest the camera.  The St Benet blue plaque is on the far wall and the St Benet inscribed stone plaque i...

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator
Peter Warlock

Peter Warlock

SW3, Tite Street, 30

This is the house (formerly 12a) where he died.

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
St Thomas the Apostle Church

St Thomas the Apostle Church

EC4, Great St Thomas Apostle

Site of St Thomas the Apostle church, destroyed in the Great Fire 1666. Corporation of the City of London

2 subjects commemorated, 1 creator