William Knapman
Badge #44
1909-1939
LODD
Chauffeur William Knapman, veteran Halifax fireman, died from a heart attack at the scene of a fire on January 25th, 1939 at the corner of Brunswick and Jacob Street. Knapman was first appointed as a supernumerary (casual) fireman on October 7, 1909.
The City Council meeting minutes of October 5, 1911 show that he resigned from the "permanent force" on July 24th of that year but remained as a call-man on No. 4 hose.
This exert is from the City Council minutes of August 5, 1915:
Office of Board of Control, City Hall, July 30, 1915.
Through statements of Chief Broderick, Captain Howley, Engineer DeVan and James Wood, the late driver William Knapman was injured at the Tuttle fire through the horse running away from the corner of Argyle and Buckingham -Streets dragging him up Buckingham Street and leaving him unconscious on the street. The accident compelled him to give up work for a time, eventually an abscess formed at the site of a sinus induced by the accident and from certificate of Dr. Miller attached and statements made by him the injury received in the performance of duty may have led to the cause of death.
Mrs. Knapman has been left with one child and has no means of support and I would recommend that her case be dealt with along the same lines as similar cases of firemen meeting with accidents in the discharge of their duty and that the City Solicitor be instructed to prepare an Act for submission at the next session of the Legislature authorizing the City to borrow the sum of one thousand dollars ($1,000) to be paid to Mrs. Knapman for the joint benefit of herself and her child.
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Article from the Herald newspaper
FIREMAN SUCCUMBS AT BLAZE
Taken Fatally Ill as Fire Causes $150,000 Loss at Halifax. Two Are Injured. Block at Corner of Jacob and Brunswick Swept By Fire.
Fire of unknown origin sweeping through two business building at the corner of Brunswick and Jacob streets last night and early this morning left damage estimated at approximately $150.000. The loss is partially covered by insurance.
One fireman, Chauffeur William Knapman 61 died from a heart attack, and two other were injured one of them requiring hospital treatment during the five hour battle in 15 degrees above zero weather.
Hosemen Ralph Miller, 40, was resting comfortably; at the Victoria General Hospital this morning after doctors had removed hot plaster from his eyes, which for a while threatened partially to blind him. Officials believed his sight would not be affected.
Another Fireman Richard “Dick” Young sustained a lacerated hand by falling glass but was able to continue the fight with the some 75 other firemen.
Losers in the disastrous blaze were:
Ball E Courtney, Halifax barrister, owner of the four storey brick faced building situated on the corner, $60,000 damage.
R.C.A. Victor Company limited whose Maritime headquarters and warehouse was in the Courtney Building, $20.000 damage.
The Outlet Company, dry goods store, owned by Sam Valinsky $20,000 damage.
Draggers Furniture Company Limited, which had furniture stored in the basement of the Courtney building, $7,000.
Dr. G. L. Covert $2,000 loss to equipment in suite of offices.
Ramadan’s Clothing repair shop. Jacob Street, $4000.
M. B. Freiberg, owner of the wooden structure at 51-53 Jacob Street, formerly known as the Ritchie building $15,000.
W. M. Tanner, leather goods store, $6,000.
Black and White Luncheonette, operated by Thomas L. Davidge, $2,000.
The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes $3,000 damage to lodge rooms and furnishings.
Mrs. G C. Bower’s wife of the manager of the R.C.A. Victor Company Limited who lost antique furniture of unestimated value.
The Courtney building erected 23 years ago was gutted. It stands on what is known as the Sherry Corner of the oldest business section in the city. The adjoining building owned by Mr. Fineburg is believed approximately 100 years old, having originally been headquarters of the Union Protective Company (volunteer firefighting force). It was later owned by the late Ex Mayor George Ritchie.
Officials of the R.C.A. Victor Company, said between 500 and 600 radios, two to three tons of batteries and other equipment had been stored in the building. Office records were the only things saved.
The blaze was believed to have started in the rear of the second floor of the Courtney building, occupied by the radio company. High Easterly winds drove the flames on. Almost a dozen streams of water were driven on the fire from all sides. On the scene with other equipment was the old horse drawn fire wagon Turreted.
Fireman William Knapman who died in a nearby fruit store at 10o’clock was taken ill hours after he had started his Pumper in operation. He had been in the fire Department for 33 years, having joined up with the old “call” force.
A native of Halifax, he is survived by his widow and five children Frank in Vancouver, Gordon and Augustine in Halifax, and May and Leon Mrs. L. Elliott in Halifax.
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Fire truck drivers and operators were listed as chauffeurs back then. His death certificate lists the cause of death as: “Heart Attack (Coronary Artery Disease)”.