South Yorkshire Times February 13, 1943
Fire Watching Enforcement
Conisbrough and Denaby C’ases
At Doncaster West Riding Court on Tuesday Reginald Charles Smith appeared on two summonses for failing to perform fire prevention duties.
It was stated by Mr. D. Dunn, Prosecuting for Conisbrough Urban District Council, that Smith was posted to the Conisbrough Church-West Street post. Out of 23 occasions Smith had presented himself on nine occasions only.
John Amos Jones, fire guard staff officer, said defendant had been warned by letters of his default
In reply to Mr. C. R. Marshall, defending, witness said he had never seen any beer bottles in the place.
Mr. H. Thirlwall, Fire Prevention Officer, said defendant had never made any complaint as to the conduct at the post. This this
Defendant told the magistrates that he had a certificate from his employers putting his working hours at 61. He commenced duty at the post in May, and it was quite possible that he missed one or two nights. He had made complaints and had said he was not going to carry on until some other arrangements were made,
Mr. C. R. Marshall said the group was a business fire watching group and the defendant was the only man in the group who was not an occupier of business premises. He thought he was exempt on working hours and that his employers were appealing for him. On August 19th an alert was sounded and another party came and interfered with them. That was the culminating point.
Defendant was fined £10.
Frank S.G. Seeds, licensee, Denaby Main was summoned for absenting himself from the fire watching duty on September 1. It was stated that when asked for an explanation defendant said, “Do you think I’m going to leave my joint to come here?” When told he would be reported, he said, “That just suits me down to the ground.” Since then the defendant had attended to his duties regularly.
He turned out on the night in question when the siren went.
The case was dismissed on payment of costs.
John Armstrong, haulage hand, Denaby Main, was fined £10. It was alleged that he had been absent from fire prevention duties on 13 occasions out of 23. He had been warned by letter.