Aylmer Firebrace CBE, KPM

Born on 17 June 1886, Commander Sir AYLMER NEWTON GEORGE FIREBRACE CBE, KPM was educated at HMS Britannia, following which he enlisted in the Royal Navy. Rising through the ranks, he saw active service in the First World War, being present at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. In 1919, he joined the London Fire Brigade and, in June 1938, became its chief officer. With the creation of the National Fire Service, which existed until 1948, Firebrace became the first and only person to head firefighting across the whole of Great Britain. Retiring in 1947, Firebrace passed away in June 1972.