The Gillingham Park Fete Tradedy

Gillingham Park Fete Tragedy

On 11 July 1929 the Gillingham, Kent fire brigade held a fire demonstration during the annual Gillingham Park Fete.

During the afternoon two of the men dressed up as a “bride” and “groom” and went around collecting contributions for the local hospital. In the evening they headed to a 40 foot structure made out of wood and canvas.
This house was filled with “wedding guests” played by local firemen, naval cadets and sea scouts.

The plan was to light a fire in the house to make it appear that the house was on fire. The “guests” would cry for help and the Gillingham Fire Brigade would “rescue” them.

Somehow this fire became real, trapping the people in the structure. 15 people in total died, nine of them children. They were burned to death in front of a crowd of hundreds of people including many of their close family members. The crowd, initially thinking the fire was part of the “act” continued to laugh and applaud until to their horror it became clear they were watching these children as they perished in this fire.

All 15 men and boys who participated in this demonstration died including Cadet Eric Edward Cheesman, my first cousin 1X removed.

He was the son of Edward Cheesman, brother of William, my mother’s father and my grandfather.

Eric was only 12 years old when he died.

The others killed were:
(age in brackets)
Scout Reginald Henry Lewis Barrett (13)
Cadet David Stanley Brunning (12)
Leslie George Neale (13)
Cadet Leonard Charles Searles (10)
Cadet Ivor Douglas Weston Sinden (11)
Scout William Herbert Jack Spinks (13)
Robert Dennis Usher (14)
Scout Leonard Gordon Winn (13). [Died at St Bartholomew’s Hospital]
Fireman Francis Bull Cokayne (53)
Royal (Ronald) George Mitchell (37). [Died the following Saturday]
Fireman Albert Joseph Nicholls (56) – Secretary of Fire Brigade. [His body was identified by the Mayor, Councillor A.S.J. Treacher, who was Nicholls’ dentist]
Petty Officer John Thomas Nutton (37) [played the “Auntie”]
Fireman Arthur John Tabrett (40) – [played the “Bridegroom”]
Frederick Arthur Worrall (30) – [played the “Bride”]

Full details of this tragedy can be found at: http://firemanswedding.weebly.com or by googling “Gillingham Park Fete Tragedy”.

I am looking for any relatives or descendants of any of the people who perished in this tragedy. As well it has become quite apparent that this event has been largely forgotten in the community where this happened. I simply would like to raise awareness of this tragedy and do my bit to ensure this is not forgotten and these people are remembered.