SA Country Fire Service Promotions Unit - History Section
Promoting the Historical foundations of the Service

Littlehampton Brigade - 1983 to Present

In the beginning there was a small corrugated iron shed opposite the Great Eastern Hotel, on Junction Road. The shed was used prior to the wartime years to store tin knapsacks and a stirrup pump. Locals used this equipment in case of a fire, along with Cleggett Bros. International truck. Forty-four gallon drums were on the truck to wet the bags used to fight the fire. The drums were filled from a bore at the transport yard.

A smoke sighting was the only way of raising the alarm.

Many years later on the 1st march 1983, there was a town meeting at the institute attended by 66 people with 12 apologies. The subject of the meeting was to form the Littlehampton Fire Brigade. At this meeting Keith Nitschke offered to donate land for a fire station, subject to the investigation of the best available site, to ensure public interest.

On the 16th March 1983, a second meeting was held at the institute to further investigate the purchase of a fire truck, station location and logistics. Emphasis placed upon buying a fire truck first, and making it operational, and to suit Littlehampton needs. Secondly, to build a fire station using donated materials and volunteer labour and further fundraising activities. Councilor Ron Norris attended both meetings.

During July 1983, a 1968 four-wheel drive international fire truck with a 500 gallon water tank was purchased for $11,000 from McLaren Vale. The truck was refitted with a 1 ½ inch A.G.E. Darly pump and two fifty metre hose lines. Also equipped with foam, and two breathing apparatus sets. The truck was refitted at les Garwood farm machinery shop with more equipment built on. At this time training and lectures were held at the institute on Monday nights at 7.00pm. On completion the truck was kept at Bruce King’s residence at Littlehampton Lodge.

In October 1983 the Mount Barker Rotary Club donated a total of $33,000 of which $20,000 was from the Rotary International Bush Fire relief fund. The fire station was built as a memorial to Ron Childs, a local resident and president of the Mount Barker Rotary Club, who died from burns as a result of fighting the Ash Wednesday fire.

November 1983 the Littlehampton C.F.S was considered operational with the fire truck responding to fire calls from Littlehampton Lodge. Work on the new fire station was still being carried out despite the weather conditions with voluntary labour.

During October 1984 the Littlehampton Country Fire service officially opened its new fire station by the C.F.S director Mr. L.C. Johns, and dedicated it to the late Ron Childs. 150 invited guests attended the opening.

Establishing Members:

Bruce King, Keith Nitschke, Jan Smith, Rob Smith, Frank Smith, Ian Benjamin, Ron Liebelt, Rory Liebelt, Wayne Barrie, Phil Coates, John Hutchings, Brian Foster, Trevor Sasche, Martin Smallbone, Barbara Smallbone, Jim Maher, Jeff Grant, Chris Shipway, David Daddow, Mike Summers, Peter South, Wayne Hockam, Rob Burford, Rob Bowden.

Essential Supporters:

Ron Norris, John Nitschke, Les Garwood, Ern Cambridge, Mark Cambridge, Brian Bart, Bob Davis, Bert King.

Recognition should also be given to local companies for supporting the building of the fire station, including the following:

Bruce King Constructions, Cambridge Gas, Littlehampton Bricks, Direct Mix, P.R. & V.M. Fiora Electrical, Ian Benjamin & Associates, Brent Stranford Contracting, Paterson Bros., Premier Foundations, L.A. Garwood, Regency Land Brokers, Freeway Engineering, ISCO.

Today the fire station still stands as a tribute to Ron Childs with 33 operational members, 17 auxiliary members and 5 cadets. Housing two large main appliances, the brigade receives 140 to 160 calls a year. Together with a highly trained brigade not possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of the late Bruce King and many others. - Updated 10/04/06

This information has been sourced from the Brigade website at this address

Brigade Stations

1984 to Present - 109 Princes Highway, Littlehampton
Photographer, CFS Promotions Unit - Apr 2011
Google Map reference - Longitude 138.869695 Latitude -35.046760

Captains

Life Members