Horsed Collection

Chris Reynolds Victorian fire engine cartoon
Chris Reynolds was a fireman at Paddington fire station and a talented cartoon artist. He produced a series of LFB/MFB cartoons of which this is one

LCC-MFB Red Cross Street fire station and engine, London LFB150
Red Cross Street fire station, City of London, built by the London County Council (LCC) and opened in 1900. It was one of four fire stations (plus a river station at Blackfriars)

LFB horse drawn steamer at modern LFB review
Lambeth, headquarters of the London Fire Brigade, hosted annual displays and regular reviews of the Brigade. A popular feature was the inclusion of the working Victorian Shand Mason horse drawn steam

Croydon Fire Brigade at Brigade HQ, Croydon Town
The horse drawn steam pump form Croydon fire station. This was one of three stations in the Croydon Fire Brigade, the other two being Thornton Heath and South Norwood

LCC-LFB Bishopsgate fire station, City of London
Bishopsgate fire station, located at 162 Bishopsgate, City of London, 10 July 1904, showing the combination of horse drawn and mechanised fire engines

LCC-MFB, HQ station, Southwark SE1
The new headquarters of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) opened in 1878 under its Chief Officer Captain Eyre Massey Shaw

Acton Volunteer Fire Brigade with appliances
District Council of Acton Volunteer Fire Brigade with appliances typical of those used at the time: a horse drawn steamer, horse drawn manual pump, horse drawn escape, hand wheeled escape

Volunteer Fire Brigade with appliances typical of those used at the time: a horse drawn steamer, horse drawn manual pump, horse drawn escape, hand wheeled escape, and a hose cart

LCC-MFB Shadwell fire station, East London
Opened in 1881, Shadwell fire station was located at 9 Glamis Road, Wapping. Seen here are the firemen posing with their two horse drawn escape carts

LCC-LFB Kennington fire station, Lambeth
Built by the London County Council, Kennington fire station was located in Renfrew Road, Lower Kennington, South London. Seen here are its horse drawn escape ladder

Ealing Fire Brigade with horse-drawn appliance
Firefighters of the Ealing Fire Brigade, West London, with a horse-drawn appliance, and a policeman standing alongside

LCC-MFB horse-drawn steamer at Southwark
A horse-drawn steamer and crew at Southwark fire station, during the latter years of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (it was renamed the London Fire Brigade in 1904)

LCC-MFB firefighters at Dulwich fire station
Opened in 1892, Dulwich fire station was located at 250 Lordship Lane. The firefighters pose on the horse drawn steamer whilst a child looks out the first floor window

Kensington High Street, West London. Streetscape showing old fashioned shop fronts. circa 1905

LCC-MFB Brixton fire station, Stockwell, SW London
Brixton fire station, located in Shepherds Lane, Ferndale Road, Brixton, built in 1867. Brixton firemen pose with their two engines (an escape cart and steamer pump)

Barnet Voluntary Fire Brigade with manual horse pump
The officers and firemen of the Barnet voluntary fire brigade with the manual horse drawn pump fire engine

Merryweather horsed steam pump and firewomen
A Merryweather horsed steam pump and firewomen

LCC-MFB horse drawn steamer at Greenwich
A horse drawn steamer and crew at Greenwich fire station, Bisset Street, SE London, during the latter years of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (it was renamed the London Fire Brigade in 1904)

LCC-MFB Dulwich fire station and horse steamer
A seven man crew from Dulwich fire station pose on the forecourt with their Merryweather steam pump. One member of a firemans family peers through the lace curtains of the accommodation at first

Fire crew and horse drawn pump

The three horsed Omnibus (b / w photo)
3091460 The three horsed Omnibus (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The three horsed Omnibus)

Oxford Street and Oxford Circus, London. Date: circa 1900s

View of the traffic at Piccadilly Circus, London. Date: circa 1905

Fire Brigade crews in procession with banners
Fire Brigade crews in procession in a street with horse-drawn vehicles and banners, with spectators lining the route. Date: circa 1890s

London Fire Brigade horse-drawn cart appliance, with a pair of white horses and crew of four. Date: circa 1900s

LCC-MFB horse drawn escape cart and ladder
A horse-drawn 50ft wheeled escape ladder. These could be very quickly slipped by the crew and extended up to a window. Their sole purpose was rescue, and these units

LCC-LFB horse drawn vehicle, South Croydon Fire Station
LCC-LFB horse drawn vehicle and crew outside South Croydon Fire Station. Date: circa 1900s

LCC-LFB horse drawn vehicles outside a fire station, with crew on board, and policemen standing on either side. Date: circa 1900s

Willesden Local Board Fire Brigade turnout, with horse-drawn vehicles and ladders. Date: circa 1890s

Salon de 1850-51. Landscape along the shores of the river Oullins, 1850-51

Horse-drawn steamer leaving headquarters 1900
Call-out in the streets of London, a horse-drawn steamer leaving the headquarters of the London Fire Brigade, with a group of passers-by watching. Date: 1900

Croydon Fire Brigade, Thornton Heath horse fire engine
Thornton Heath was one of three stations in the Croydon Fire Brigade -- the other two were the main Croydon headquarters station and South Norwood

West Ham Fire Brigade, Plaistow fire station and steamer
Plaistow fire station and steamer, belonging to West Ham Fire Brigade. Located to the east of the London Fire Brigade district, West Ham contained four fire stations of which Plaistow was one

Tram crossing Putney Bridge
View of a tram and a horse drawn cart crossing Putney Bridge over the River Thames, London. Date: C. 1910

Sloane Square and Kings Road, London
Sloane Square and Kings Road, Chelsea, London Date: C. 1905

LFB - a Shand Mason MFB steam pump and crew
Lambeth LFB headquarters hosted regular annual displays and reviews. A popular feature was the inclusion of the working Victorian horse-drawn steam fire pump with the crew in period dress

LCC-MFB Escape cart stands ready in station
A picture of an MFB headquarters station showing the escape cart, designed by Chief Officer Captain Wells, carrying the 50 foot wheeled escape

Last pair of horses used by London Fire Brigade
An historic and sad occasion for the London Fire Brigade in November 1921, when the Brigade said farewell to the last pair of horses (together with their horse-drawn fire engine)

LCC-MFB Red Cross Street fire station, City of London
Red Cross Street fire station, City of London, built by the London County Council (LCC) and opened in 1900. It was one of four fire stations (plus a river station at Blackfriars)

Barnet Fire Brigade with fire fighting equipment. Until 1903 there was only a voluntary fire brigade in Barnet. A purpose built fire station

LCC-LFB fire at Tufnell Park Road, North London
London firefighters with a horse-drawn escape cart and a steamer pump at the scene of a house fire at 128 Tufnell Park Road, North London, 12 March 1907

LCC-MFB Dulwich fire station and horse steamer
A seven man crew from Dulwich fire station pose on the forecourt with their Merryweather steam pump. One member of a firemans family peers through the lace curtains of the accommodation at first

Ealing Fire Brigade with horse-drawn appliance
Firefighters of the Ealing Fire Brigade, West London, with a horse-drawn appliance. Date: 1888

Shand Mason MFB horse-drawn steam pump and crew
A Shand Mason MFB horse-drawn steam pump and crew, taking part in a special drill display given to chief officers of provincial fire brigades on 13 October 1937

Shand Mason Horsed Steamer, Bishopsgate, London
A Shand Mason Horsed Steamer at Bishopsgate, London. Date: 1906

LFB horse-drawn steamer at modern review
Lambeth LFB headquarters hosted regular annual displays and reviews. A popular feature was the inclusion of the working Victorian Shand Mason horse-drawn steam fire pump

The Limited and Freight Car of a mining comany. Old fashioned freight vehicles

Prairie Schooner ready to start. Transportation on the American Prairies

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In the bygone era of Victorian London, fire brigades relied on the strength and speed of their trusty steeds to battle raging infernos. From Chris Reynolds' whimsical cartoons depicting a horse-drawn fire engine to the bustling scenes at LCC-LFB Kennington fire station in Lambeth, these majestic creatures played an integral role in firefighting history. One can't help but marvel at the sight of LCC-MFB Red Cross Street fire station's impressive engine, proudly pulled by a team of powerful horses. As we commemorate London Fire Brigade's 150th anniversary, it is fascinating to witness how technology has evolved from those early days when horse-drawn steamers were considered cutting-edge. Even Croydon Fire Brigade had its own brigade headquarters where horses stood ready for action. The iconic image of LCC-LFB Bishopsgate fire station in City of London showcases not only the grandeur of the building but also highlights the importance placed on equine companionship during emergency situations. Southwark's LCC-MFB HQ station stands as a testament to both human and equine bravery. Acton Volunteer Fire Brigade and various other volunteer groups joined forces with their own horse-drawn appliances, demonstrating unwavering dedication to protecting their communities. The historic photographs capture moments frozen in time – Ealing Fire Brigade proudly displaying their horse-drawn appliance while stationed at Southwark or Shadwell fire station's gallant steeds poised for action in East London. These images transport us back to an era when horsepower was literal rather than metaphorical. They remind us that behind every successful firefighting operation stood these magnificent animals who fearlessly charged into danger alongside their human counterparts. As we reflect upon our modern-day advancements and state-of-the-art equipment, let us not forget the noble role played by these loyal companions throughout history. Their contribution should be celebrated as an integral part of London Fire Brigade's rich heritage.