Plaque: James Braidwood
Erection date: 22/3/1862
{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.
