Superintendent F. W. Hadwick took over command of the Brigade in 1915.  The working strength of the Brigade had been gradually reduced because of the call on manpower for the fighting services, until at one time it was as low as three officers and twenty men.

By 1916 the strength of the Brigade had become so depleted that a number of volunteer Firemen stood by at the two Fire Stations during the evening for the purpose of assisting the Brigade in both fire fighting and ambulance duties.

As a further consequence of this depletion and owing further to the possibility of fires being caused in Sheffield by bombs dropped by enemy aircraft all agreements for the attendance of the Brigade out of the City were cancelled and a notice to this effect was sent out on the 23rd February, 1916.  It was agreed, however, that the hospitals at Wharncliffe, Longshaw Lodge and Dore would still be protected as long as they continued to be used as military hospitals. On the 26th September, 1916, three fires were started by incendiary bombs dropped from German Zeppelins, two in dwelling houses and one in the Stores of the Great Central Railway at Woodbourn Road where a number of sleepers and timber were destroyed.  In November, 1918 the War to end wars was over. After the Armistice was signed, the Brigade gradually regained its normal strength, and on the 29th March, 1919, the volunteers at their own request were relieved from further service. The strength of the Brigade at this time was four Officers and 39 men.

If you wish to download a short (5Mb) silent film of Superintent Hardwick and the Lord Mayor inspecting Yorkshire's firemen at a conference in Sheffield on 11th May 1922. Go to British Pathe Downloads. and type the words 'Sheffield Firemen' into the 'Search Box'.

Mr. Hadwick retired in 1923.

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