Frank R. Bradley Memorial - Simsbury, Connecticut
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 41° 52.676 W 072° 48.059
18T E 682469 N 4638561
Memorial named in honor of one firefighter but honoring all firefighters from Simsbury, Connecticut.
Waymark Code: WMC6X3
Location: Connecticut, United States
Date Posted: 08/01/2011
Views: 9
The memorial is located in front of the Main Fire Station on Hopmeadow Street in Simsbury. It features a monument with a bronze fireman's had on top and a bell mounted lower. It has a bronze plaque inscribed:
Frank R. Bradley Memorial
In April of 1944, seventeen men stepped forward to form what would become the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company. Frank Bradley was one of those original seventeen.
In June of that year the Simsbury Fire District was created, followed closely by the creation of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company with the joint responsibility to provide fire protection for the residents of Simsbury.
On July 6th, 1944, Frank Bradley, his wife Helen, and their two young daughters were attending the matinee performance of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus in Hartford, CT. Shortly after the show started, fire erupted across the big top. In a matter of seconds, mass panic erupted as the spectators stormed towards the exists in all directions.
Tragically, Frank and Helen Bradley became separated from their two daughters. Neither of the parents would emerge from the big top alive. Frank Bradley, that day, became the first deceased member of the Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company.
It is in his name that Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company honors all of our deceased members who have served the community with dedications and pride.
In front of the monument is a plaque embedded in the bricks which is inscribed:
In The Line Of Duty
Inscribed Here Are The Names Of Those Who Have Died In Serves To Their Community
Lt. Richard F. Kelleher
November 6, 1981