Portrait of Firemaster Pordage in ceremonial dress

Category

Library Item

Item no

21254

Title

Portrait of Firemaster Pordage in ceremonial dress - side view

Description

Portrait of Firemaster Pordage in ceremonial uniform including a Merriweather helmet. His jacket has double rows of brass buttons and brass epaulettes. He has three medals pinned to his uniform.

Artist / maker

Unknown

Date

1920

Size

15.2 x 20.4 cm

Type

Photograph

This image is from the collections of the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, formerly the Museum of Fire at Lauriston Place.

Arthur Pordage was Firemaster of Edinburgh Fire Brigade from 1896-1927. In 1911 Firemaster Pordage devised a set of signals for firemen to use at emergency situations to avoid the need to shout and ensure that messages were received correctly. The signals were based on Army and Navy semaphore.

The medals Pordage is wearing were awarded to him for bravery. They include the Mcfarlane Medal (centre), which was awarded to recognise outstanding acts of bravery by firemen serving in the pre-WW2 Edinburgh Fire Brigade. It was worn with a medal ribbon in the City of Edinburgh colours of black and white.

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Related images

Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Helmets

Clothing and dress > Garments > Uniforms

People > Health and safety > Fire fighters

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh