Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

The important M.B.E. and K.P.F.S.M. group of four awarded to Mr Horace Sampson Lyne, Chief Fire Officer for Newport, Monmouth, for 50 years, a Welsh International Rugby player and referee who played an important role as a founder member of the International Rugby Board (I.R.B.), serving for 51 years, and as President of the Welsh Rugby Union (W.R.U.) for 41 years The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1933; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer‘s breast badge, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles; King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue, for Distinguished Service (Horace Sampson Lyne M.B.E. Chief of Newport (Mons.) Fire Brigade); Jubilee 1935, very fine (4) £500-£600 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 7 January 1918. The above badge added to complete group. K.P.F.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1932. Officer St. John London Gazette 26 June 1934 Horace Sampson Lyne was born at Newport on 31 December 1860, the son of Charles Lyne, mayor of the town in 1856 and 1884. He was educated in Plymouth and at the Royal Naval College, Keyham, and by profession he was a solicitor. At aged 18, he played as full back for Newport rugby club, but it was as a skilful forward that he found success, as the captain of the club in 1883-84, being capped five times for Wales, 1883-85. In 1885 he refereed the England vs. Ireland Rugby International. In 1886-87, he was one of the founders of the International Rugby Board, as a representative of the game in Wales, and he served the Board without a break from 1887 to 1938 (51 years). He served as the respected President of the Welsh Rugby Union for 41 years, longer than anyone else, and steered the rugby affairs of Wales throughout the first half of the 20th century. He was Chief Officer, Newport Reserve Constabulary 1914-18, when Newport had no Chief Constable (M.B.E.), Chairman of Newport Athletic Club 1894-1949, and Newport’s Chief Fire Officer for 50 years (K.P.F.S.M.). Newport Fire Brigade, by the Secretary C. Hallett: ‘Up to the year 1884, the duties appertaining to the extinguishing of fires were carried out by the Police of the town. In that year, however, the Mayor (Councillor J. W. Jones, J.P.) called a public meeting of the Burgesses, at which meeting it was resolved unanimously to form a Volunteer Fire Brigade. The Mayor became Honorary Captain, and continued in that office, for many years. Mr. R. J. Whitehall, a gentleman who had had some previous experience of fire brigade work, was appointed Captain and there were two Lieutenants, viz. Messrs. Horace S. Lyne and F. W. Cross, and twenty Firemen. A subscription list was opened for providing uniforms, etc., and the Corporation made a grant of £50 and handed over such appliances as they had. Most of these seem to have been very old and in a bad condition. They included two manual pumps, a hose reel and a quantity of leather hose. One of the manuals is still in existence, having been retained for its sentimental and historic value. The first Fire Station (a very inadequate building), was opposite the Police Office in Dock Street. The building is still in existence and is now used as a garage for the Police patrol cars. The records of the Brigade show that there were many difficulties to contend with in those days. Such hydrants as were in the town were of varying patterns and a lot of delay was occasioned in getting the standpipes and hose to fit. Delay also often arose in getting horses to draw the appliances to the scene of a fire. It was the custom then to have detachments of firemen on special duty on November 5th and on the nights of Parliamentary Elections. For some years the firemen were called to fires by the Police going round the men's houses. Nowadays each fireman's dwelling is connected to the Central Fire Station by an electric call bell or a telephone. In 1886, Mr. Horace Lyne was appointed Captain of the Brigade and continued as Chief Officer until his retirement in 1934, on the completion of 50 years' service. Mr. Lyne's services are still at the disposal of the Brigade in an advisory capacity, and he now holds the rank of Honorary Chief Officer. The first steam fire engine was purchased in 1885, a second steamer was obtained in 1900, and in the latter year the first professional fireman was appointed. In 1896, a new Fire Station, built on the site of the present premises, was opened, and three horses were purchased and kept at stables there. This appears to be the commencement of the period when the Brigade had its own horses, and those who are in a position to remember still speak in admiration of the perfect training of the horses and the way in which they took up positions to be turned out when an alarm of fire was raised. In 1912, the Brigade had its first motor fire engine, and two years later all the horses were dispensed with and two motor pumps purchased. The Central Fire Station was enlarged to its present extent in 1915 and re-opened by the then Lord Tredegar.’ Lyne was very prominent in the public affairs of Newport and was granted the Freedom of the town in 1934, and made an officer of the Order of St. John in the same year. In 1938, he was appointed Chancellor of the See of Monmouth, and he was a member of the Governing Body of the Church in Wales. He died on 1 May 1949 in Newport. He is a holder of the National Fire brigades Association Honorary life member medal. Much detail of Lyne’s services to Welsh rugby can be found in ‘Fields of Praise’ by David Smith and Gareth Williams (1980), the Official History of the W.R.U. Sold with a copy of ‘Fields of Praise’ by David Smith and Gareth Williams (1980), and ‘Newport Athletic Club 1875-1975’, together with a comprehensive file of copied research.