Image Ref : WEF 0004.tif

West of England Insurance Company c1836

West of England Insurance Company. No.2 From T.Cadbury, Exeter Museum - DVD DP8. The figure of King Alfred stands on a plinth bearing the number 2. In his right hand he holds a spear, with a shield bearing a dragon below. In his left hand he holds a sword. Around is a garter with the works 'WEST OF ENGLAND INSURANCE COMPANY." By Philip Venner Firmin, 1836. West of England Company founded 1807 - taken over by the Commercial Union 1894. The West of England set up a brigade of 16 men in Exeter in 1808. Twenty years later, having established a London office, they formed a brigade at Blackfriars. Unlike most of the other companies with brigades in London they did nor join the London Fire engine Establishment until 1858. Their London brigade was therefore operative for 30 years, 25 of these during the period when most of the other insurance brigades had disappeared into the L.F.E.E.