A warm tribute has been paid to Salford’s first fire chief by renaming the square where he worked after him.

Albert Bentley was head of the Salford Fire Brigade from 1891 until his early death in 1905 and was the driving force behind the central fire station, stables and houses for firemen and their families in Albion Place.

Now, Salford City Council has agreed to a request from his great-grandson Graham Morris to rename the square Albert Bentley Place in honour of a man regarded as a born leader and visionary in his time.

City Mayor Ian Stewart said: “Albert Bentley was the first to receive the title of Chief Fire Officer for Salford and was held in such esteem that people lined the streets for his funeral procession and a commemorative postcard bearing his photograph was issued after his early death from pneumonia.

“During his career, he revolutionised the service with his inventions including a mobile telescopic fire escape instead of static ones. He also built 30 underground water tanks around the city in high fire risk areas where the water supply was poor and these were still used up to the 1990s. He added an ambulance to the fire service enabling the injured to be dealt with more swiftly.

“Mr Bentley had the vision for the central fire station which opened in 1903 with five engines and stables for 11 horses. Fire officers came from across Britain to see his station, his inventions and learn from his innovation. He undoubtedly saved thousands of lives.

“Mr Bentley and his family lived alongside the fire station until his untimely death just two years later so it’s a fitting tribute to him that this square will now be known as Albert Bentley Place.”

His great great grandson Graham Morris, who campaigned for the recognition, said: “I’m very proud to see him honoured in this way. He was very inventive and brought a kind of military discipline to the fire brigade that hadn’t existed before.

“The fact that the city built the fire station to his design, along with houses so the firemen were ready to jump out of bed and respond to an emergency shows the power and respect he achieved. He would also join his men in fighting fires, suffering several personal injuries, even though he was the Chief Fire Officer.”

Albert Bentley was born in Bradford and started his career as a teenager in the police service. He then joined Bradford fire brigade and rose rapidly through the ranks to deputy superintendent before being appointed superintendent in Salford in 1891. In 1898, he was promoted to be the first Chief Officer in Salford effectively ending his nominal responsibility to work to the Chief Constable.

He died in December 1904 of pneumonia and his funeral resembled a state occasion. A brief service, held at the Central Fire Station premises was followed by a lengthy procession that included representatives of many fire services, the police and other dignitaries.

With the coffin mounted on a fire escape tender and covered by the Union Jack, over which lay his helmet, tunic and floral tributes, they moved slowly along The Crescent and Chapel Street. The Salford Reporter commented that “the streets were thronged by thousands of sympathetic onlookers” and “many of the residents had lowered their blinds as a mark of respect”.

The destination was Manchester’s Victoria Railway Station where the approach was lined on either side by police and fire officers. Six bearers accompanied the coffin to Bradford where a similar high profile reception awaited ahead of the short journey to Scholemoor Cemetery and his final resting place.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here