Bravery honoured by a leading Australian Impressionist
As a social media fan, I am a member of a number
of Facebook Groups. Last week I noticed a photo of a painting I am very much
aware of – “The Fireman’s Funeral 1894” by Arthur Streeton. Of course, I had to
comment, and a long, long thread followed.
So, today’s blog is about the subject of that
painting who lies in Rookwood.
EDWARD CHARLES BROWN
Edward was born @ 1850 in Norwich England to
Charles and Mary Brown. He came to these shores sometime in 1877 and met and
married Rebecca Regan and they went on to have 5 children. Edward was listed on
the English census in 1871 as a carpenter's apprentice but when he arrived in
Australia it wasn't long before he trained as a Fireman. Edward became a member
of the United Insurance Brigade and joined the Metropolitan Fire Brigade which
was formed by Richard Torning (who also calls Rookwood "home") when
it was established in 1884. He rose through the ranks to take charge of the
Newtown Branch Station and it was said he was a popular and well-respected
leader of other firefighters.
At approximately 6.50pm on 1st
September 1894 a fire broke out on the 5th floor of Lawler’s
Warehouse opposite Central Police Station. The warehouse was stocked with
bedding containing the latest material, kapok. Kapok was introduced by Lawler
as the new more comfortable type of bedding which had superseded horsehair,
feathers or straw.
The warehouse had previously experienced four
small fires which had caused little damage in the tall building believed to be
first in Sydney to have a lift installed.
With highly flammable materials and the draught from
the lift shaft the fire quickly took hold with ferocious flames to the front of
the building and within thirty minutes the whole structure was alight. The
flames towered to a great height and attracted hundreds of sightseers.
The full force of the Fire Brigade totalling 260
men together with 50 officers from the Police Station attended the fire. Seven
steamers and the new large engine threw streams of water at the blaze.
Example of a steam firefighting engine @ 1985 - Powerhouse Museum with thanks
The fire burned for almost two hours. When it was
finally under control it became apparent that the front of the building facing
George Street could collapse at any time. The Firemen, however, remained at
their posts, retreating when large belches of smoke were emitted, only to
return again and again.
Whilst this frantic activity was taking place,
the southern wall facing on Union Lane fell in front of Brown and crushed him
against a doorway where he had taken refuge. Everyone ran for their lives and when "all clear" was sounded some twenty minutes later, it was seen that Brown was
lying there covered in debris.
Brown was conscious and complained of a pain in his arm and side. He was moved to the head station but died shortly afterwards. It was found his death was due to internal injuries resulting by being crushed by the falling bricks. His mangled brass helmet was found near to where he fell. Brown’s death was the only fatality.
The funeral of Edward Charles Brown took place on 3rd September
1894. The line of the route from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade to the Mortuary
station at Central was filled with people who braved the rain to witness the
mournful event. Police led the procession followed by the band of the Volunteer
Fire Brigade and then the fire engine bearing the coffin covered by draped
flags and wreaths. Brown’s axe, battered helmet and uniform covered by debris
accompanied the coffin.
Four mourning coaches followed carrying relatives
and mourners, then the members of the Fire Brigades Board, other brigades and
engineers on foot and steamers from other brigades. As the fire engine bearing
Brown’s coffin came out of the first station into the street the band struck up
Chopin’s Death March.
Estimates of over 10,000 people gathered in
Castlereagh and Bathurst Street; around the First Station the crowd was so
large it almost blocked the way of the procession.
It was such a spectacle that the artist Arthur
Streeton captured the scene in a painting. “The Fireman’s Funeral 1894” is
currently hanging on public display in the Art Gallery of NSW.
The formal conduct of the funeral continued once
the train reached Rookwood and Brown’s final resting place.
This had been the first fatality of a fireman in
over six years and the loss, with the latest technology at the time, was
greatly felt.
In the aftermath, John Lawler, the owner of the
Warehouse, never rebuilt and bore the brunt of the £40,000 in damages.
Lawler purchased property in Springwood west of Sydney soon after and took up
residency there. He died in 1918.
A fund was set up for
Brown’s widow and his four children signed by Henry Parkes and others which
also included supplies of bread from a local baker. After much wrangling, the
family never received any of the funds and the money was then managed in
anticipation of future accidents. It is believed a small amount was received
from Insurance to benefit the family. I hope they at least received the bread
supplies, the staff of life at the time.
Edward Charles Brown
lies in a small plot with his daughter Catherine (known as Maud) who died in infancy in the Anglican
area of the Cemetery near the Old Army/Naval burial area. Brown’s headstone
seems to have met with a major accident early on as some of it was buried in
soft dirt and after a dusting off revealed lead lettering in remarkable
condition. This grave has been listed for restoration for a number of years.
Photos of Edward Charles Brown's headstone and plot 2019 - author's own
There are many
references to this event by a simple search in Google and Trove.
If anyone has any
comments or additional information to impart, please feel free to comment here
if you have access to blogspot or at the facebook group page, found under a
search of
Rookwoodcemeterydiscoveries
Or simply send me personal
message at
I’m afraid this
week’s blog has been another story of sadness. I have something lined up for
next week that I hope will be inspirational.
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