1940's
During 1940 a new station was built in Hesketh Lane and was opened in late 1942. This was a three bay station with watch room and stores. A recreation hut was also provided. This hut was used for sleeping purposes during the war as two fire engines were manned from 8pm to 6am. When this station was opened Mere Brow, Holmeswood and Hesketh Lane Fire Stations were closed and amalgamated with Tarleton. This brought the complement of men to forty firemen and fifteen firewomen with Mr Harry Hodge was Company Officer in Charge. This way of life continued until the end of the war when there was talk of the fire station closing. Mr Hodge pointed out to the "powers that be" that Tarleton was midway between Preston, Southport and Ormskirk and was ideally situated to cover a large area.
After much negotiation the fire station was given a reprieve and in 1948 was taken over by the Lancashire County Fire Brigade, who recruited retained firemen to man the fire engine when a fire occurred. Once the alarm had been given Mr Hodge was telephoned from Head quarters and he immediately ran to the fire station to put the siren on to call the men in.
Tarleton's retained crew all living and working with in 1 mile of the fire station are pictured to the right, Sub Officer John Johnson, LFM Raymond Gollipher, Fm Fred Taylor, FM Alan Sutton, FM Rex Hanson, FM Dick Townsley, FM George Barron, FM Bill Eatough, FM Ernie Nicholson and Divisional Officer Gordon Clues