Pictured above is Fireman Paulin – ready for action. He worked for the local fire service during it’s transition from Pound Street to The Square – where later he lived upstairs.

You can still see the old building. It’s next to the old library in The Square.

As it was in 2022. © Secret Carshalton
Circa 1908: The old fire station before an upper level and space for a second fire engine, were added.

William Paulin started his career in 1897, and worked his way through the ranks and spent around 40 years in the service, rising to the role of Superintendent and taking charge of the Carshalton, Beddington and Wallington Fire Brigade.

William Paulin in his early days © Victoria Gooders

Dressed in the finest uniforms and equipped with the latest firefighting technology, his men would always be ready to protect the surrounding areas.

They were housed in a single-storey building from 1908, and an extra level was added in 1934. This is when William most likely moved on-site.

Outside the extended station © Victoria Gooders

The fire engine outside the building is the Dennis N, which the Fire Brigade purchased in 1914.

This was replaced in June 1934 by a Leyland FT2 pump escape, registration number BPF 319.

Ready for action with a Leyland FT2

Fallen comrade

This proud procession through the streets of Carshalton marked the funeral of fireman Frederick Young.

Several family members of the firemen shown in these pictures still live in the local area.

Down the High Street: a moment of pride for Carshalton © Lara Humphrey
Returning to the station © Lara Humphrey

William Paulin has a memorial inside All Saints church.

A Brief Fire Station Timeline

1836 A wooden cart was kept by the church, with a useful water source nearby.

StoryThe old gothic-style doorway to Carshalton's first Fire Station*Historical* There wasn’t much room for firemen, but behind these doors was stored a small wooden fire ‘engine’. The fire cart was a basic contraption pulled by horse. Handily plac…Read more

1867 Carshalton’s first purpose-built fire station opened in Pound Street, opposite the pound after which the street was named.

StoryLocation of the volunteer fire service set up in 1867 and local wheelwright and Firefighter Tom Preen*Historical* You probably would have driven past this nondescript building many times, shown on the left of the photo above. It’s situated on the mini-roundabout in Pound Street at…Read more StoryThe long lost police station that stood in Carshalton*Historical* The misty morning provided the perfect atmosphere to capture these shots in Carshalton, of where police officers used to be based. Did you know Carshalton used to have…Read more

1908 The second fire station was built. An extra storey was added in 1934. It finally closed in 1947 and was later converted into the building you see today. It is Grade II listed.

https://www.secretcarshalton.com/carshaltons-historic-purpose-built-council-building-used-for-less-than-20-years

1938 The building opposite was commandeered by the Auxiliary Fire Service.

StoryCarshalton garage commandeered during WW2Charles Henry Thatcher was the officer in charge of the Carshalton Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) that operated from this lock-up in The Square, Carshalton. Charles won a medal for h…Read more

1962 The Fire Brigade was now based at St Dunstan’s Hill in Sutton.

 

Attributions: UK Fire Brigade History Group, Sutton Heritage, local Facebook groups, Surrey Fire Museum Trust in Reigate, current photos and research by Secret Carshalton, @Lara.Humphrey.3 and @Victoria.Gooders. I’ve aimed to credit everyone. If I’ve missed anyone, please let me know.