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WALLACE THE FIRE DOG
Jean Dallas and Margaret Muir with the Wallace sculpture
Glasgow's legendary fire dog and the remarkable story of bringing him home.
Wallace was adopted by Glasgow Fire Brigade in 1894 and became a much-loved member of the service, running ahead of horse-drawn fire engines as they responded to emergencies.
More than 120 years later, a community campaign set out to give Wallace his rightful place in Glasgow's history - culminating in a sculpture of the famous fire dog finding a permanent home in Glasgow Central Station.
WALLACE COMES HOME
Sculpture celebrating Glasgow's famous 'fire dog' unveiled at Central Station
A statue of a dog made famous after being adopted by Glasgow firefighters in the 19th century has been unveiled at the city’s Central Station.
Wallace was taken in by firemen at the Central Fire Station in 1894 after he followed a horse-drawn engine taking part in a lifeboat demonstration.
The collie-setter cross became renowned for running in front of their appliances as they made their way to emergencies - then sitting next to the tethered horses, guarding them until the men returned.
By the time he died in 1902, he was said to have been a more famous dog than Edinburgh’s Greyfriars Bobby, with people stopping in the streets to see him as he attended fires.
The bond he had with the firemen was such that they paid to have him embalmed.
Wallace’s story is told proudly at Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Heritage Centre and Museum in Greenock, where he remains encased and on display.
But, after learning about it as part of a visit there in 2017, it is one which North Glasgow woman Jean Dallas thought deserved to be shared prominently in the four-legged hero’s home city too.
And the unveiling of his statue by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Councillor Jacqueline McLaren, at the railway station today (Tuesday) marked the culmination of a determined effort - in which she was the driving force - to bring the tale of Wallace to a new generation.
Jean Dallas with Wallace at Glasgow Central Station. Photo: Duncan McGlynn
Supported by social landlord ng homes and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), who organised the museum visit as part of joint community work, Jean shared Wallace’s story with children at Saracen Primary School, along with other organisations as she started fundraising for a plinth for him.
Then people in custody at HM Prison Barlinnie stepped forward to sculpt the artwork, which now sits in Central Station’s main hall after Network Rail managers were also touched by his story - and the campaigner’s determination.
Jean said: “It’s such a lovely sculpture. I’m so proud to see Wallace home and in Central Station. We wanted him to be somewhere people would see him and celebrate his story.
“This wee dog was famous in his day for his brave antics. There are even books written on his adventures.
“Wallace is well known throughout the world, yet many people in Glasgow don't know about him.”
The 81-year-old, who was all-too-aware of the global interest in Greyfriars Bobby having lived and worked for 18 years, added: “We said that 'Wallace the Fire Dog' should have his rightful place in history.
“So I am delighted with the wonderful work of those in Barlinnie who made this sculpture of Wallace to give him the recognition he deserves. I am also thankful to Network Rail for giving him a new home in the station.”
The tune I Belong To Glasgow was played on the bagpipes as Wallace’s statue was unveiled.
Wallace the Fire Dog holds a special place in Glasgow's history, and I am delighted to welcome this wonderful sculpture of him to the heart of our city.
LORD PROVOST JACQUELINE MCLAREN
Cllr McLaren said: “Wallace the Fire Dog holds a special place in Glasgow's history, and I am delighted to welcome this wonderful sculpture of him to the heart of our city.
“Today's unveiling celebrates not only a much-loved local character, but the community spirit and collaboration by a range of partners that has brought his story to life for a new generation.
“My thanks go to everyone whose passion and commitment has helped create this tribute and given it a permanent home, where residents and visitors alike can discover this unique piece of our city's heritage.”
Mick Stoney, Governor of HMP Barlinnie, added: “This sculpture is a testament to the skill, dedication and hard work of the individuals in our custody who created it. They took great pride in bringing an important piece of Glasgow's history to life, creating a lasting legacy that can now be enjoyed by people from across the city and beyond.
“The project provided an opportunity to develop skills, build confidence and contribute positively to the wider community. We are proud that their work has found a permanent home in Glasgow Central Station, where it will help ensure Wallace's story lives on for generations to come.”
Wallace’s sculpture is unveiled at Glasgow Central Station. Photo: Duncan McGlynn
The journey for getting the sculpture on public display was also not without drama.
The artwork was placed in storage away from Barlinnie during the coronavirus pandemic - and Jean was unsure where it had gone.
She called on Margaret Fraser from Together Leading Communities (TLC) and Margaret Muir from The Croft family support project at the prison to help track Wallace down afterwards.
After finding he was in the safe hands of a prison service dog handler in Livingston, the sculpture was handed over in 2023, being housed in ng homes’ Saracen House office in Possilpark, the area in which Jean lives, until its new permanent home could be secured.
Jean’s determination has shown no bounds and she has been supported along the way by her family, friends and the community.
MARGARET FRASER, TOGETHER LEADING COMMUNITIES
Margaret Fraser, director of TLC, said: “Jean’s determination has shown no bounds and she has been supported along the way by her family, friends and the community. It is wonderful that, as a result of her efforts, Wallace will have a permanent home in Glasgow Central Station.
“Of course, it is only a train journey to the Greenock Fire Heritage Centre to see the real Wallace and hear more about his heroic deeds.”
Margaret Muir added: “Everyone involved has been so passionate about this. This is a wonderful story which deserves to be told.”
Catherine Rossine, chair of ng homes, believes Jean’s work highlights the positives that can happen when people unite for a shared passion.
She said: “Wallace’s story has captured the imagination of so many people. We are proud to support a project that celebrates an important piece of Glasgow’s heritage. This has created something that communities across the city can be proud of.”
Fire chiefs to this day regard Wallace as ‘Scotland’s first fire dog’ and are delighted to see him celebrated.
City of Glasgow Group Commander Craig Campbell represented SFRS at the unveiling.
He said: “Wallace is a local and fire service legend, and this is a fitting celebration of his life and another reminder of the proud history the service shares with Glasgow.
“We are delighted that we have been able to support this, and thankful to Jean and everyone else who has been involved in bringing this sculpture to life and ensuring that it takes pride of place in one of Scotland’s busiest railway stations.
“We hope that thousands more people will have the chance to learn about not only Wallace, but the history of the fire service in Glasgow and beyond.”
Partners and supporters celebrate Wallace’s new home at Glasgow Central Station. Photo: Duncan McGlynn
Wallace’s story will be among those told as part of tours of Glasgow Central Station, where the courage of firefighters is also celebrated by the Citizen Firefighter statue which stands at its entrance.
Drew Burns, station manager at Glasgow Central, said: “We’re proud to give Wallace a home at Glasgow Central.
“His story is a unique part of Glasgow’s history, and it’s fitting that thousands of people passing through the station each day will now have the opportunity to discover and celebrate this remarkable fire dog.”
Travellers and visitors at Central Station will be able to read Wallace’s full story by scanning a QR code next to the sculpture.
Wallace: Rubber boots, royalty and his place in Glasgow folklore
Firemen of the day said that Wallace embodied the fire service motto of ‘Aye Ready’.
He became a popular and familiar sight in the city, running 20 to 30 yards in front of horse-drawn tenders, taking direction from a coachman as they headed towards fire.
Many believe he was more famous than Edinburgh’s Greyfriars Bobby - his heroic reputation growing to such that an elderly woman who saw that he was limping due to stone sets in the road gifted him a set of rubber boots to protect his paws.
Legend has it that he only wore them once - losing two of the four on the way back from a call-out.
Those boots form part of the sculpture at Central Station.
Wallace’s sculpture at Glasgow Central Station, complete with the rubber boots that form part of his story. Photo: Duncan McGlynn
As Wallace became ill there were daily updates about his health in the Glasgow Herald and The Scotsman newspapers until his death in 1902.
After being embalmed and encased, he sat “on guard” in the foyer of the North Glasgow fire service headquarters at Cowcaddens, then at the Strathclyde Fire Brigade headquarters in Hamilton, where his exploits were shared with the late Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. They were even gifted books about Wallace for their grandchildren while visiting in 1990.
Today, people who visit the fire service museum from across the world are enthralled by his story. Details about the Scottish Fire Brigades Heritage Trust can be found here.
SFRS SPEECH AT WALLACE THE FIRE DOG LAUNCH AT GLASGOW CENTRAL STATION
Today, we gather to remember Wallace the Fire Dog, one of the most beloved figures in Glasgow's fire service history.
At first glance, Wallace was simply a dog. He held no rank, wore no helmet and part of no duty roster. Yet more than 120 years later, his story still captures our imagination and continues to inspire us.
Why?
Because Wallace represents something timeless.
He represents loyalty, courage, friendship and service. Values that shaped Glasgow in the past and continue to define the fire service today.
Wallace's story began in 1894 when he followed a horse-drawn fire engine back to Glasgow Fire Brigade's central fire station. Rather than leaving when the action was over, he stayed. The firefighters adopted him, and from that moment he became part of the brigade family.
Whenever the alarm rang out, Wallace would run alongside the fire engines through the streets of the city, accompanying firefighters as they responded to emergencies. Soon, he became famous across Glasgow and a much-loved symbol of the brigade.
To understand why Wallace became such an important figure, we must understand the Glasgow in which he lived.
This was a city of shipyards, factories, foundries and crowded tenements. Prosperity and industry helped build Glasgow into one of the greatest cities in the world, but they also brought risk. Fire was an ever-present threat. A single spark could destroy homes, businesses and livelihoods. Glasgow was often described as a tinderbox city, where firefighters faced danger on an almost daily basis.
As the city grew, so too did the need for brave people willing to protect it. And wherever those firefighters went, Wallace followed.
This statue reminds us of more than a remarkable dog. It reminds us of Glasgow itself. It reflects the spirit of a city built on hard work, resilience and community.
Wallace belonged to the firefighters, but he also belonged to the people of Glasgow.
Citizens recognised him, admired him and followed his adventures. He became a symbol of the bond between a city and those who served it.
That is why Wallace's story remains relevant today.
The equipment has changed.
The uniforms have changed.
The city has changed.
But the values have not.
Today's firefighters continue to demonstrate the same qualities that Wallace symbolised. Commitment to others. Loyalty to their colleagues. Courage in the face of danger. Compassion for those experiencing the worst moments of their lives.
When firefighters respond to a fire, a flood, a rescue or a road traffic collision, they do so for the same reason their predecessors did more than a century ago: to help people when they need it most.
Wallace never asked for recognition. He never sought applause or reward. He simply remained beside those who served others.
And perhaps that is why his story has endured, because at its heart, Wallace reminds us that true service is not about status or recognition.
It is about showing up.
It is about standing beside others in need.
It is about loyalty and selflessness when it matters most, a lesson that we all can live our lives by today.
The equipment has changed.
The uniforms have changed.
The city has changed.
But the values have not.
CRAIG CAMPBELL BSc CMgr MCMI
Group Commander – Prevention Lead
City of Glasgow LSO Area
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
THE STORY BEGINS
Wallace featured in the first edition of TLC's Good News Newspaper in June 2024, telling the story of the campaign to bring Glasgow's famous fire dog back into the spotlight.
THE STORY OF WALLACE
Wallace - 1894-1902
The story of Wallace starts in 1894 when he arrived at Central Fire Station in Glasgow and eventually became a full-time unpaid member of the Fire Brigade for the rest of his Life. Wallace, believed to be a cross between a collie and a setter, was ‘adopted’ by Glasgow Fire Brigade in 1894 after he followed a horse-drawn fire engine taking part in a Lifeboat demonstration.
Glasgow Corporation paid his license (dog licenses were required at that time) and his keep. He became very popular in the city and when the Fire Brigade turned out, he would run twenty to thirty yards in front of the horses. Taking his direction from the coachman, who would indicate left or right, Wallace would lead them to the direction of the fire. He would then sit close to the tethered horses until the crew came back.
Wallace was seen to embody the fire service motto, “Aye Ready”. At the time, Wallace was even more famous than Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh. On hearing of his heroic efforts, an elderly woman who saw that he was limping due to the stone sets in the road, gifted Wallace rubber boots to protect his paws. He only wore them once and lost two of them on the road back from a call out.
A true ‘working dog’ he was a courageous and loyal friend to Firemen and to the city of Glasgow. (In those days there were no female firefighters).
Wallace’s final illness was reported on a daily basis in the Scotsman and Glasgow Herald newspapers until his death in 1902. When he died, the Firemen paid for him to be embalmed and placed in a glass case together with two of his rubber boots. He sat on guard in the foyer of the North Glasgow HQ at Cowcaddens, and later at the opening of Strathclyde Fire Brigade HQ in Hamilton in 1990. This time on display for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh who were told the story of his exploits. HM Queen Elizabeth II, was given three sets of books that had been published for her grandchildren. Wallace is now on display at the Fire Museum and Heritage Centre in Greenock. (excerpts taken from Wallace the Fire Dog by James Drummond)
Wallace is a main attraction at the Museum for international passengers from cruise ships docking in Greenock taking this remarkable story across the world. There has been a number of books written about Wallace, including ‘Wallace meets the Lord Provost’, a copy of which was given to Rt Hon Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren. All the stories have a fire safety message.
Bringing Wallace Home
How a partnership with ng homes and Scottish Fire Rescue Services paved the way for a Heritage project.
ng homes partnership with SFRS began around 2016 with the secondment of community liaison officer, Fiona Herriot. This collaborative community safety initiative focused on fire prevention, risk reduction, and safety education across North Glasgow. The focus was to protect vulnerable residents and reduce unintentional harm (particularly within the ageing population) and risk awareness for residents and staff. The SFRS officer connected with many community regeneration projects and local women and this included a community visit for a group of elderly women to the Scottish Fire Brigades Heritage Centre in Greenock.
What started as a wee day out with a local community group began a long campaign to bring the story of a brave wee dog to the people of Glasgow.
Jean Dallas, who lives in Possilpark, was part of this community group visit to Scottish Fire Brigades Heritage Centre in 2018 when they came across 'Wallace the Fire Dog' who was embalmed in a case in pride of place in the Museum.
Jean and the group were so touched by the story of Wallace that they wanted to let others know about this 'Brave wee Dug'. Once back in Possilpark, they discussed how they get this story out and worked alongside Saracen Primary on an activity project featuring Wallace. It captured the attention of the children who got busy making poems and writing stories and even put together a play about Wallace. The group of women, with Jean Dallas taking the lead, (pardon the pun!) decided to campaign to get a sculpture of Wallace and for it to be placed in a prominent place so that his memory and brave actions would live on through his story. They felt that - if Edinburgh has Greyfriars Bobby, why shouldn't Glasgow celebrate Wallace the firedog? What started as a way to teach children about the city's heritage has grown arms and four legs.
Now everyone wanted to see Wallace remembered with a sculpture fitting his heroic status. Fire Chiefs also backed the campaign for a statue to brave Wallace saying that ‘he was Scotland’s first fire dog, racing ahead of emergency teams to lead them to blazes’.
Jean started a fundraising campaign for a plinth for Wallace for the time when he could be displayed back in Glasgow. She made large amounts of homemade tablet to sell across the community, splitting the donations between the Wallace project and Marie Curie centre. Others in the community would regularly donate their small change in support of Jean’s work to get Wallace back home.
ng homes continued to support the Wallace project over the next couple of years and Jean’s desire to have a sculpture made. Through ng homes partnership with HMP Barlinnie, contact was made with the metalwork department of Barlinnie who went on to make a wonderful sculpture of Wallace.
Jean Dallas with firefighters at the unveiling of the Wallace sculpture at Saracen House, Possilpark
The story didn't end there though, as the pandemic resulted in a delay, with communication lost for a time and the Wallace sculpture had been moved to another destination. Jean's determination knew no limits, and with support from Margaret Muir at The Croft family support project at Barlinnie and Margaret Fraser from Together Leading Communities, a
mission was put in place to track down Wallace!
Margaret from the Croft project managed to trace 'Wallace' where he had been placed with Scottish Prison Service dog handler section in Livingston for safe keeping. An official handover of the Wallace sculpture took place at a community event at Saracen House in Possilpark. It was an emotional event as Jean got first sight of the Wallace sculpture with his wee blue boots. The event was attended by some members of the original group and community, ng homes, SFRS and the Heritage Trust, The Croft and Scottish Prison Service.
The next stage was to find a place for Wallace to have as his home in a central Glasgow location. Jean and Margaret from Together Leading Communities, arranged a meeting with Central Station Manager, Drew Burns, to tell of the story and to see if Wallace could have his home there. This would also be close to ‘Citizen Firefighter’ demonstrating the courage of Fire fighters. When this was agreed by Central Station, it was the end of Wallace’s journey and we are so happy that this will also feature with Glasgow Central Station tours. In fact, a smaller sculpture has been made which will form part of the tour.
Rt Honourable Lord Provost of Glasgow, Dr Jacqueline McLaren visiting the Scottish and Fire Rescue Heritage Centre in Greenock with Chair, Dave Adam
I am so delighted for the wonderful work of those in Barlinnie who made this sculpture of Wallace to allow his story to be told and give him the recognition he deserved.
JEAN DALLAS
Jean Dallas said: "This wee dog was very famous in his day for his brave antics and there are books written on his adventures. He is well known throughout the world, yet many people in Glasgow don't know about him. We always said that 'Wallace the Fire Dog' should have his rightful place in history. I am so delighted for the wonderful work of those in Barlinnie who made this sculpture of Wallace to allow his story to be told and give him the recognition he deserved. I am grateful that he will have pride of place in Glasgow Central Station where so many people can see him and hear about his story and is also just a train journey away to the Heritage Centre in Greenock where they can see Wallace and find out more. A huge thanks to everyone involved across the years."