Strathroy Firefighters Association Project – The Old 29′ Part 4

In Part 4 of our story, we cover the homecoming of the Old ’29

Part IV: The Old ‘29 Gets a Homecoming Celebration of Its Own.

“In June of 1980 another request from Strathroy led to the sale of the truck” reported the Durand Express. Lennon’s decision to sell was influenced by the fact that they had located a “piece of equipment formerly owned by their department and they can only afford the one piece according to their town council.” This sale of the Old ’29 would allow Lennon Fire Department to buy back their first fire truck, a 1947 International, from the Township of Venice, Michigan.

With this successful bid to buy back the Old ’29, the Strathroy Firefighters Association quickly got busy raising the funds to bring their first motorized truck home. The Association “will be selling booster buttons, share certificates on the truck, raffling a coffee table, and holding a dance at the arena on October 25,” said Strathroy Fire Department Captain Bob Fortner in The Age Dispatch, October 1, 1980. “Mr. Fortner, who is the secretary of the Association, said the truck will be used for parades and displays at various functions and could work in conjunction with the town’s museum” reported the The Age Dispatch. “I remember it in service when I was a kid, I think we were lucky to locate it and buy it back” said Mr. Fortner.

With money starting to come in and excitement building across town, local citizen Ernie Milliken offered the use of his truck and enclosed trailer to make the trip to Michigan and back. Fundraising efforts were extremely successful, however, ultimately was falling just short of the $3500 goal. With an interest free loan generously offered by the Sydenham Region of the Canadian Antique and Classic Car Club it was time to bring the Old ’29 back home to Strathroy.

Backed by a small Ontario town, Strathroy Fire Chief Bill Gibson, Captain Bob Fortner and Strathroy resident Ernie Milliken headed for Michigan on Saturday, November 22, 1980. After a brief pause for a couple of pictures while loading up the truck in Lennon, the trio headed for home, no doubt with smiles on their faces and pride in their hearts.

The Old ’29 rolled back into Strathroy to a small group of enthusiastic locals and thankfully a reporter from The Age Dispatch to help document the big event. Bystanders watched as the truck was reversed off of the trailer by Ernie Milliken, it’s tires not having touched the ground in Strathroy for 16 years.

Sources: Strathroy Fire Department 125th Anniversary 1865-1990, Museum Strathroy-Caradoc, Strathroy & District Historical Society, Bob Fortner, Durand Express, Chuck Weatherby