Full name of worker at H.M. Factory Gretna (and any other names they are known by) : Peter Smith Methven Gender Male

Date and place of birth 14th May 1884, Portobello, Edinburgh

Date and Place of Death: 11th November 1969,at Ayrshire Central Hospital- usual address 48 Overton Court , West Kilbride

Nationality: Scottish

Childhood One of at least 4 boys

Parents Peter Smith Metheven and Jane nee Bartholomew

Parents occupations Master Baker

Schools / universities attended and years of attendance: N/K

Occupation Firemaster

Place of residence at Gretna: N/K

Marital status Married twice

Children None known

Travels N/K

Awards/recognitions: Edinburgh Corporation Medal for Bravery 1919 Commendation for bravery – 1937

Positions held Firemaster H M Factory Gretna. Firemaster Edinburgh City Fire Brigade

Trivia / any other information: Featured ‘celebrity’ in long running TV series “ This is your life”

Bibliography

Books published (Title, year of publication, publisher):

Books written about the individual or mentioning the individual (Title, year of publication, publisher):

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Blogs about the individual:

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Further links, notes, and comments: https://www.bigredbook.info/peter_methven.html

Mini Biography

Peter Smith Methven 1884-1969

Peter Methven was born on 14th May 1884. In Portobello, Edinburgh, to Peter Smith , a master baker, and Jane nee Bartholomew. 1891- living at 41 James Street, Edinburgh . 2nd of 4 sons. 1901- census lists at Lat: 56-0′-0″ N, Long: 3-24′-40″ W aged 16- Dundee on board ship. 1907- left Royal Navy 1908-1909 valet footman at Taymouth Castle, Highlands of Scotland. November 1909 joined Edinburgh City Fire Brigade 18th November 1910 – married Jeanie Berry, a domestic cook, at the Temperance Hotel, Perth. Peter listed on the marriage registration as a fireman of Laurieston Place, Edinburgh. Peter is 26 and Jeanie is 30. They subsequently had a son called Peter smith Methven WW1- employed at Gretna as firemaster. Reported in Edinburgh Evening News Thursday 21st February 1918 “ firemaster of HM Factory Gretna appointed 2nd officer to Edinburgh Fire Service” 1932- wife died 31st July 1933 – married Mary Monk and living at 78, Laurieston Place, Edinburgh 29th October 1956 – subject of National Television programme This is your life. https://www.bigredbook.info/peter_methven.html “THIS IS YOUR LIFE – Peter Methven, retired Fire Officer, was surprised by Eamonn Andrews in the audience of the King’s Theatre, Hammersmith. Peter was born and raised in Edinburgh, and after several years with the Royal Navy, and a couple of years in service as a valet footman at Taymouth Castle in the Highlands of Scotland, he became a fireman with the Edinburgh Fire Brigade in November 1909. He soon worked his way up the ranks and was promoted to Second Officer in 1918. He received the Edinburgh Corporation’s Medal for Bravery for saving eight lives in an Edinburgh tenement block fire in 1919, and was commended for his bravery in 1937 when he saved colleagues lives in a devastating fire at the British Rope Works in Leith. He was Firemaster of Edinburgh’s Central Fire Station from 1927 until 1941, when he left the service to run the Central Bar in Glasgow Street. “great honour… great kindness” • Broadcast live: Mon 29 Oct 1956 • Broadcast time: 8.15-8.45pm • Venue: King’s Theatre, Hammersmith