Hi Bob,
This is a great forum!
I've discovered that my 4X Great Grandfather 'George Richard Staples' was a Lighterman, then became a Fireman in 1822 (I don't know for which Insurance Company though), he was then part of the London Fire Engine Establishment and then later the Metropolitan/London Fire Brigade.
I've found from various records, that he was based at Watling Street, Chandos Street and King Street stations - all in London - throughout the 1840s to 1870s.
Several items (clocks, watches, teapots, etc) are mentioned in his will, that were presented to him by Captain Eyre Massey Shaw.
His oldest son worked for the London Salvage Corps and another son was a 'Fire Messenger'.
He appears in several 'court minutes' from the Old Bailey records online, but unfortunately, the LFB Museum has nothing on my Staples ancestors. Are you aware of anywhere else that I could search for records? (E.g. any kind of service records?)
Many thanks,
Glen.