Edmund James Fairbrother was born on 22 March 1882 in Walton-le-Soken, Essex, one of the twelve children of John Fairbrother (1843-1901) and Caroline Maria Fairbrother née Lee (1848-1931). His birth was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1882 in the Tendring Registration District, Essex. On 2 July 1882 he was baptised at All Saints Church, Walton-le-Soken.
He is shown as Edward J. Fairbrother, aged 9 years, on the census that was undertaken on 5 April 1891. He was living in a four roomed property at 8 Alfred Cottages, Walton-le-Soken, with his parents and four of his siblings: Percy Joseph Fairbrother (1879-1899); Elizabeth Bolsover Fairbrother(1884-1969); Lydia Gertrude Norah Fairbrother (b.1887) and Albert Horace Geordie Fairbrother (1889-1962). His father was listed as a labourer.
He was again listed as Edward J. Fairbrother, aged 19 years and a mariner, on the census that was compiled on 31 March 1901. He was residing at 12 Alfred Cottages, Walton-le-Soken, with his parents, two of his siblings: Lydia Gertrude Norah Fairbrother and Albert Horace Geordie Fairbrother and his maternal aunt, Mary Lee who was aged 78 years.
Electoral registers in 1908 list him as Edmund John Fairbrother who was living at the London County Council Fire Station, Old Kent Road, Camberwell, London.
On 20 January 1912 he married Alice Gertrude Yarham (1886-1978) at St Philip's Church, Sydenham, London, where in the marriage register he is described as a Fireman who was living at Simpson Street, Battersea, London, whilst his wife was shown as a domestic servant residing at Rosslyn, Sydenham.
They had two children: Mary Caroline Fairbrother (1912-1987) and John Albert Fairbrother (1914-1965) who were both born at 9 Dunbar Street, West Norwood, London.
His death was registered as Edmund J. Fairbrother, aged 35 years, in the 1st quarter of 1918 in the Lambeth Registration District, London. He died on 30 January 1918 as a result of injuries sustained following a wall collapse during firefighting operations at H. J. Brantom Cattle Food Warehouse, Albert Embankment, Lambeth (The future site of LFB Headquarters). His Brigade number was 616 and he was attached to Station 87, Kennington. His body was , in the Highgate Cemetery, Swain's Lane, London, N6. Sub Officer Walter William Hall, Sub Officer William Edward Cornford, Fireman William Edward Nash, Fireman John William Coote Johnson, Fireman Arthur Alfred Page and Fireman James Edward Fay were also killed.
He is shown as "E. J. FAIRBROTHER" on the London Fire Brigade memorial in Highgate Cemetery. He is also commemorated on the National Firefighters Memorial in Sermon Lane, London, EC4, on the and, incorrectly (in 2026), as Edward John Fairbrother on the .
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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