(1939-1958)
Robert C. McRonald was born in Scotland and came to Canada as a teenager in 1911. He worked for the railway before joining the London Fire Department in 1913. He had a memorable start to what would be a long firefighting career. One week into the job McRonald landed in hospital after being injured in a collision between Motor Truck No. 2 and a freight train.
In World War I, McRonald served with the Royal Canadian Dragoons in France. He returned to the fire department and was promoted to lieutenant and then captain. McRonald was appointed as fire chief in 1939 as war broke out in Europe. In 1942, Chief McRonald enlisted and was in charge of fire protection for military installations. He returned to London to guide the fire department through the period of growth that followed World War I The chief established a fire prevention division and convinced the city to replace the nearly century old central fire station with a new fire hall.
Chief McRonald retired in 1958 saying he had no regrets, and he would not trade firefighting for any other type of work. Chief McRonald died in 1977.
Fire Station No.9 at 746 Wellington Road South is named the R.C. McRonald hall.