Rushden Fire Brigade was founded 59 years ago, and for the last 52 years members of the Knight family, father and son, have been in command.  That fine family record now ends with Mr. R. F. Knight’s resignation from the position of Chief Officer.

  The late Mr. Fred Knight, J.P., whose public work for the town and county made him one of the leading figures of his generation, was one of the Brigade’s original members and continued to serve for 42 years.  The first chief was the late Mr. William Foskett, but after seven years Mr. Knight assumed the command, to hold it for 35 years.

  Mr. “Bob” Knight joined in 1913 as Third Officer (the Second Officer being Mr. G. R. Turner, now of Gorleston-on-Sea) and in 1919 became Chief Officer on the resignation of his father.

  “When I joined,” he told an “Echo and Argus” representative, “we had as equipment the old steamer and a hose cart, and that was all.  Since then we have had a motor pump and motor tender.  The Brigade has done extremely well in competitions, and the men have been very keen in practice.  We have always done our best to cultivate the social side, too, and there has always been that spirit of friendship which means so much.”

Sport Record

  Mr. Knight is leaving to become landlord of the “Angel” Hotel at Wellingborough, and he greatly regrets the severance of the many ties which bind him to his native town.  In sport, particularly, he has played a worthy part, and no one has played more club cricket in Northamptonshire.  Since leaving Wellingborough School he played for Wellingborough Masters until quite recently – a total period of 35 years – and for about 24 years he played more or less regularly for the Northamptonshire C.C., his last match being in 1923.  As an all-rounder he has done great things with the Rushden town and Rushden Amateurs elevens.

  In his youth Mr. Knight played both Association and Rugby football.  He was with the Rushden Rugby F.C. in its second spell, and in Soccer he was an inside forward for Rushden Town, playing in many good-class matches.  He broke his arm at football – in a Kettering Charity Cup game – and afterwards paid more attention to golf and hockey, being captain of the old Rushden Hockey Club and a county player.  At golf he has been captain of the Rushden and District Club, and his wife has been captain of the ladies’ section.

  During his term in the fire Brigade there has been an average of from 13 to 20 fires a year, including numerous factory fires and a big blaze at Odell Castle.  One of the best “saves” was at Hinwick Hall, and another was at the National Provincial Bank premises in High-street, Rushden.  In a fire at Stanwick a few years back the Brigade used three-quarters of a mile of hose.

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3^rd April, 1936

Firemen’s Gift to ex-Chief Officer
Engineer’s Amusing Reminiscences

  Mr. R. F. Knight, whose resignation as Chief Officer of the Rushden Fire Brigade was announced last month, received a farewell gift from his old colleagues at the Fire Station on Wednesday evening.

  There was a full turn-up of members, and the company also included Mr. A. Allebone, J.P., C.C. (Chairman of the Council), Mr. W. L. Beetenson (Clerk), Chief Officer A. P. Timpson, 2^nd Officer J. Whiting and 3^rd Officer and Secretary T. Muxlow.