The Dandenong Ranges is home to Kalorama-Mt Dandenong brigade 2nd Lieutenant Peter Henwood and his fascinating and vast collection of fire-related items from tiny badges to a 19th century fire engine.
From inside his personal museum, Peter explained the significance of some of his pieces.
“I began collecting fire brigade items about 33 years ago,” Peter said. “I have thousands of items but I’ve never counted them. And I’ve made many friendships through collecting.
“The first item I bought was a street fire alarm because I remembered them as a kid. If there was a fire, people could break the glass to alert the fire brigade.”
One of Peter’s oldest and rarest items is a Shand Mason manual fire engine built in 1885.
“My Shand Mason was imported by an antique dealer years ago. It came from the railways in India. It’s similar to the small manual pumps that were used by Country Fire Brigades Board (CFBB) brigades. It’s priceless to me as it gets used at brigade open days and events. It still pumps as designed and is popular with kids.”
One of the many items of clothing in his collection is the dress uniform worn by the much-respected former CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson AFSM.
“Euan enjoyed walking through the Dandenongs and he dropped into my fire station from time to time,” Peter said. “I got hold of a uniform from CFA HQ and thought it was Euan’s, so I asked him. He said it wasn’t his, but he then rang me later to tell me he had found his uniform in a box. He asked me if I would like it and I obviously said yes.”
Peter’s knowledge of old firefighting equipment is impressive, but it’s his sentimental connection to some items that is more striking. For example, his most treasured possession is a nondescript firefighter’s helmet that was worn during the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires.
“Herb Detez was the group officer of Dandenong Ranges and the duty officer during the Ash Wednesday fires,” Peter said. “He was a mentor to me when I joined the brigade and I went to a lot of fires with him. He was an inspiration. When he talked, people listened. His helmet has so much sentimental value to me.”
Peter can pick up any one of his many items and tell a fascinating story about it.
“Everything has a story. I have a small wooden barrel that was carried on a private fire engine in London before the Metropolitan Fire Brigade was formed in 1866. Captain Frederick Hodges was a gin distiller who also owned a fleet of fire engines to protect his distillery and the surrounding area. The barrel was filled with gin. The fire engine won awards at the 1862 International Exhibition in London.
“I love collecting these small, unusual items. It’s never ending.”
When many brigades have open days or special events, they like to display fascinating pieces of fire brigade memorabilia for community members to look at. Recognising this demand, Peter has assembled a mini collection that he’s happy to lend to brigades.
“I’m also happy to go to the brigade and set up a display,” Peter said. If your brigade is interested in borrowing some items, email Peter at phenwoodcfa@gmail.com.
Despite his vast collection, Peter is keen to hunt down a couple of items: a CFBB station keeper hat badge – he thinks he has all the other hat badges – and a CFBB American Civil War style cap. If you can help Peter add these to his collection email phenwoodcfa@gmail.com.
1885 Shand Mason fire engine-
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