1871 : Formation of Byfleet Volunteer
Fire Brigade by Sir James Whittaker-Ellis of Petersham Place (now Lloyd’s
Bank), High Road.
1893 : Take-over of Volunteer Fire Brigade
by Byfleet Parish Council.
1895 : Construction of new Fire
Station in High Road (terracotta block above the main doors states ‘Erected AD 1895’).
Funded and owned by Sir James Whittaker-Ellis, it was a two-bay structure
constructed in red brick with a decorative red terracotta facade.
1896 : Opening of new Fire Station.
Rented by Byfleet Parish Council from Whittaker-Ellis for use by an 11-man team.
1902 : Purchase of site from Sir James by Parish Council for £310.
1910 : Formal group photo (later published in ‘Changing Woking 1900-1929’) of
Byfleet Fire Brigade depicts 15 uniformed firemen plus two other bystanders
posing in front of their unidentified horse-drawn fire tender.
1910 : Agreement made to cover Pyrford too – for £25 p.a.
1939 : Plans prepared by Woking UDC for a new fire station in Oyster Lane but
this was never built due to World War Two.
(1939-45 : World War Two).
Early 1940s : Rear extension added to main part of the building;
similar to temporary buildings on war-time military bases, it was of cement rendered
brick construction with a flat roof and steel-framed Crittal windows and
survives today. Its original function is unclear although presumably for office
or equipment storage.
