The re-imagined story …
Mr Day, my head teacher at Even Swindon School, spoke up for me. He said there was a lack of supervision in the family home, that my mother couldn’t cope after my father left her, that I was seldom in school and had fallen behind in my education.
I wanted to be a fireman when I left school. I didn’t know how you went about it though. Was it like the army, did you have to enlist somewhere? Or did you have to do an apprenticeship like in the Works? Did your dad have to put your name down somewhere – well that wasn’t going to happen. Sometimes I’d wait outside the fire station – you probably don’t remember the old station in Cromwell Street – just in case there was a call out.
I remember Mr Maidment. He attended the fire at the Great Western Hotel garage. I’m one of the boys in the photograph. What a blaze that was. They thought it had been caused by the heat from the laundry next door.
The facts …
Sidney James Maidment is pictured proudly wearing his long service medal awarded for 25 years’ service in the Swindon Fire Brigade. Yet despite a funeral service attended by representatives from Swindon Corporation and the Fire Brigade, Sidney Maidment was buried in a public grave with three other unrelated people.
Theatre Tragedy
Swindon Attendant’s Sudden Death
Veteran Fireman
There was a tragic incident at the Empire Theatre, Swindon, on Monday evening. Mr Sidney James Maidment, of 2, Rolleston Street, had for the past 22 years acted as evening bar attendant, and he went to the Theatre as usual on Monday. He was seen to go into the circle bar, and was then apparently in his usual health. Some ten minutes or a quarter of an hour later, Mr. R. Manners, son of Mr. Alfred Manners, had occasion to go to the bar. Noticing that the electric light had not been switched on, Mr Manners opened the door and went in, and was startled to find Maidment lying motionless on the floor. Apparently deceased had fallen down on entering the bar, and he lay there lifeless. Death is attributed to heart failure.
A doctor was summoned, but life was extinct, and the body was removed on the borough ambulance to deceased’s home. He had been at home ill for several weeks, and only returned to his duties quite recently.
Deceased had been in the employ of the Swindon Corporation for many years as steam-roller driver, being the oldest driver. He was also for many years a member of the Swindon Fire Brigade, holding the position of engineer. He was a member of the Brigade before it was taken over by the Corporation, and in the old days he used to drive the horses when the engine was conveyed by that means to outbreaks of fire.
Deceased, who was 65 years of age, was a widower, his wife having died some years ago. He leaves a grown-up family of two sons and three daughters. There was no inquest, as deceased had been attended by Dr. Rattray.
The Funeral
The remains of the late Mr Maidment were laid to rest yesterday afternoon amid very impressive scenes. The Swindon fire engine was used as a hearse, and the brigade turned out in practically full force, under Capt. Baker. Many of the deceased’s colleagues, who served in the brigade with him were present to pay a last tribute. There were numerous wreaths, which were placed on the coffin and on the engine. Large crowds lined the route from Rolleston street to St. Paul’s Church.
The cortege was met at the church by the Vicar (the Rev. Alan Leslie), who conducted the service. Afterwards the procession was reformed and made its way to the Cemetery, where the curate of St. Paul’s (the Rev N.S. Willis) performed the last rites.
The mourners were: Mr Sidney W. Maidment and Stanley G. Maidment (sons), Misses Kate E. Maidment, Gladys Maidment, and Maud Maidment (daughters), Mr. H. Boreham, Mrs M.G. Maidment, Mrs. S.G. Maidment, Mrs Oakley, Mrs Titchener, Mr. W. Oakley, Mr and Mrs Anger, Mr Trevor Matthews, Councillor H.R. Hustings, and representatives of the Empire Theatre staff and of the High Street and Prospect Working Men’s clubs. Messrs J.J. Hamp and J. Boulton also attended at the graveside to pay a tribute of respect to an old employee of the Corporation. Past members of the Fire Brigade present included ex-Captains Reeves and Cox, and ex-Firemen Wiltshire, Ludlow, Eden, Woolford, and Hinton. The bearers were Firemen Frampton, W. Smith, and Ludlow, and Engineer Rogers.
North Wilts Herald, Friday, October 31, 1924.
Sidney James Maidment’s long service medal published courtesy of P.A. Williams, Local Studies, Swindon Central Library.
Radnor Street Cemetery 