New Plaque Unveiled at Leeds Station in Honour of Firefighter

A commemorative plaque was unveiled on Saturday, January 11th, in honour of firefighter James Potter Schofield. It marks the 133rd anniversary of his death fighting a fire underneath Leeds railway station.

The Red Plaque has been unveiled at the Dark Arches entrance to the Leeds Station, off Neville Street. James (Jim) Potter Schofield died on January 13th, 1892, while tackling a huge blaze that broke out in the arches underneath the railway lines. The inferno was caused by a soap manufacturer storing 16,000 tons of highly combustible materials in the arches. 

Jim took over from his brother William on duty shortly before the platform he was standing on collapsed, and he fell into the fire below. At the time, newspapers described it as the biggest fire Leeds had ever experienced. It took firefighters from across the region twenty hours to extinguish the towering blaze.

His fellow firefighters and the general public remembered him as a hero. A week after his death, 20,000 people turned out to watch Jim’s funeral procession, and a memorial was set up in Woodhouse Cemetery, where he is buried.

The plaque is part of the Red Plaque Scheme, funded by the Firefighters 100 Lottery, and set up by the Fire Brigades Union to remember fallen firefighters and honour their sacrifice.

Chris Smith, Honorary Historian of West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Shane Ewen, Professor of History at Leeds Beckett University, have led the investigation into the fire and partnered with Brave Words, a community youth theatre project, to bring Jim’s story to the stage.

A performance of ‘Fighting the Good Fight – The Tale of Jim Schofield’ will be held at The Old Fire Station in Gipton at 7 pm on Saturday.

“Together, we will make sure his bravery and sacrifice are never forgotten.”

Gavin Marshall, Fire Brigades Union regional secretary for Yorkshire and Humberside, said: “James Potter Schofield lost his life while protecting the city of Leeds from a huge railway station fire. Today’s ceremony has been a unique and special occasion, bringing together firefighters and the wider community to mark Jim’s place in our shared history.

“Thanks to the researchers at Leeds Beckett University for uncovering this history and to all those involved in bringing Jim’s story to life today. Together, we will make sure his bravery and sacrifice are never forgotten.”

Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said: “Our Red Plaque scheme commemorates the lives of firefighters who have died in the line of duty, keeping their stories alive. Funded by the FBU’s Firefighters 100 lottery, these plaques ensure that fallen firefighters are remembered at the heart of the communities they served.

“Plaque unveilings are an opportunity to bring serving and retired firefighters together with the local community. We remember the story of James Potter Schofield and the Leeds railway station fire of 1892 as an important part of the history of the fire and rescue service and of the city of Leeds.”

Shane Ewen, Professor of History at Leeds Beckett University, said: “Working with young people is really important for sharing the stories of our fallen heroes like Jim, and doing so through local history and drama is a unique way of doing so. I was thrilled to partner with Fran Cairns at Brave Words and the youngsters at Beeston Village Community Centre to develop a fitting tribute to Jim. It helps keep his legacy going while also involving the youth of Leeds in helping to shape the city’s cultural heritage.”

NorthernLife March/April/May 25