The quotation from the first page of the Crookwell Fire Brigade Occurrence Book of 1939 states: "the number 38 Garford - Hale motor engine was taken off the train and placed in the garage at the rear of Gay's hotel.

"It was stored along with 1200 feet of two and three quarter unlined hose and all necessary gear and equipment for extinguishing fires.

"Engine and pumps tested and found in good working order. Appliance placed in commission and ready for service."

This vehicle was imported into Australia in 1924 as a Garford chassis fitted with Hale apparatus to make ready for service.

It was not new when it came to Crookwell in 1939, having had service in other areas.

Research into its history has been carried out working with the Museum of Fire Penrith.

The records show the ME38 Garford - Hale went into to service in 1925 at Wallsend, New South Wales until 1934 then to Kurri Kurri, New South Wales until 1939.

Crookwell's first motorised fire engine was supplied by the Board of Fire Commissioners NSW after a suitable report by board officers and the Crookwell Fire Brigade coming under the boards control.

In September 1939, the ME38 arrived by train at Crookwell railway station and stayed in the district until 1961.

In 1961 it was sold to farmer at Greenwich Park, Marulan.

In 1968 Green's, Motorcade Museum, Leppington, purchased it and there it remained until the museum closed in 1983, when it was auctioned.

It appears to have spent the rest of its time in a car museum in Tasmania until 2011 when it appeared for sale on eBay, in the mid north coast of NSW.

ME38 is currently owned by Ray Carman who lives in Victoria, he purchased it from a dealer in Taree New South Wales in 2014. In 2019 it remains in Ray's private collection.

The first Crookwell Fire Brigade under the Board of Fire Commissioners NSW: Captain E P Woodward, engine keeper P Waugh, fireman H G Grove, B J Brownlow, G P Sharman, A J Price, W C Smith, C J McIntosh, T J Baxter, C L Mould.