This pencil and watercolour sketch by James Cumming Clarke depicts a very common occurrence soldiers helping to douse a fire. In Halifax the troops frequently dragged the Citadel fire engine down the hill to help put out a fire and often received financial gifts from the citizens as an expression of their gratitude. On one occasion, however, the troops received a reprimand from their officers when they lost the hose and other equipment belonging to the engine. At other times, the civilians brought their equipment to help the military extinguish a fire in the barracks.
