A total of 319 NSW Fire Brigades personnel fought in World War I. Of these, 30 were killed; one was awarded the Military Cross; two were awarded the Distinguished Service Order; and four were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Watch some of the stories below.
Percy Clarence Tuck was born on the 14th of October, 1889, at Warrenmang, near the town of Avoca, Victoria. He joined the NSW Fire Brigades on 16th November 1910, stating his previous occupation as farm labourer. Tuck served at; No 1 Station Headquarters, No 11 Station Paddington and while temporarily attached to the Katoomba Fire Brigade... Read more here
Thomas George Roy Champion was born during May 1894, at West Maitland, NSW. He was appointed to the Grafton Volunteer Fire Brigade on the 1st of March 1912. His occupation was Carpenter and he resided at 61 Turf Street, Grafton, NSW. Champion resigned from the Grafton Brigade on the 31st August 1914, to enlist for active service with the First AIF... Read more here
Foster was born in January 1888 at Rous, NSW and was a Grocer by occupation. He was appointed to the Boolaroo Volunteer Fire Brigade on the 15th August 1910 and resigned on the 30th April 1915 for active service. Foster had enlisted on the 20th April 1915, given the service number 2142 and was appointed to the 6th Reinforcements / 1st Battalion Australian Infantry... Read more here
Herbert Norman May was born on the 18th of March 1894, at Tabulam, NSW, being the fifth child of William John May and Henrietta Sarah Ware. Norman had eight siblings Known as Bertie, he attended Drake Primary School from 1899. He was a member of the local militia, joining the 9th Infantry on 1 July 1912, being promoted to Corporal... Read more here
ROTH, REUTER EMERICH (1858-1924), physician, was born on 20 March 1858 at Brighton, England, son of Mathias Roth, Hungarian patriot and physician, and his English wife Anna Maria, née Collins. Like his brothers Henry Ling and Walter Edmund he was educated in London at University College School, then from 1874 studied medicine at University College and Hospital... Read more here
John Stuntz was born on the 27th June 1885, at Marrickville, NSW and when he joined the NSW Fire Brigades on the 22nd January 1912, his stated occupation was that of athlete. This was no understatement. Stuntz was one of Australian Rugby League’s founding players. In 1908, playing in the opening game of club rugby league in Australia, he scored four tries for Eastern Suburbs... Read more here
Leslie James West was born during June 1890 at Kempsey and was a Storekeeper by occupation. He was appointed to the Merewether Volunteer Fire Brigade on the 15th June 1913 and resigned for "Active Service" on the 31st January 1916. West, at 25 yrs and 6 months, had enlisted on the 29th December 1915 at Newcastle into, “A” Coy, 35th Battalion, Australian Infantry... Read more here