Description
1911 Coronation Medal, London Fire Brigade reverse, Fireman William John Clayton, a London Fireman stationed at 20 Cannon St in 1911.
Officially engraved: “Fireman W.J. Clayton”
William John Clayton, was a Londoner, born in Hoxton, London during 1882.
During 1911, he was a 29 year old Fireman with the London Fire Brigade.
At the time of the 1911 Census, he was it appears living at the station at 20 Cannon St EC, City of London, along with 18 other Firemen.
You can see his fire station by clicking here.
Sadly today the old Fire Station is no more, having been replaced by a massive all glass office building.
Back in 1906, the attractively designed Cannon Street Fire Station was built by the London County Council.
During 1912, the Cannon Street Station lost their beloved pet Jim, and the men were gifted a new Bulldog, as no Fire Station is complete without a loyal dog.
The building somehow stood through the entire WW2 Blitz, although the ones to both sides had been blown up by the Luftwaffe.
By 1976 the station was closed and demolished.
In 1921, he was living with his family at the Fire Fatcox, Fire Station, in Plumstead London.
he was by then 3 years old, still a London County Council Fireman.
He lived there with his wife Catherine Matilda Clayton and his daughter Agnes Marion Clayton.
He should have been present for this fire in 1909:
“TOOLEY STREET AND THE CITY FIRE
By a peculiar coincidence the first calls to the great fire in Cannon Street on Sunday morning were received at Tooley Street and Cannon Street Fire Stations Simultaneously.
Someone rang the alarm into Tooley Street Station from Findlater’s Corner.
Mr S.G. Gamble, the Second Officer, quickly responded to the call upon receiving notice of the outbreak, and 17 steamers, 3 horses escapes, four long ladders, motor horse tenders, coal and oil vans, and 120 firemen from all the nearest stations to the fire, were quickly upon the spot.
The fire, which commenced on the premises of the London Cafe Company, Cannon Street Buildings, continued for several hours, and involved the destruction of valuable property in which 20 firms were more or less interested.”
