Also known as: Jack.
My Father, Jack Evans, born Birmingham 1903, joined the Royal Air Force at the age of 18 years, serving in the Middle East as a tradesman, and also as a member of the Band where he played the trombone. On leaving that Service in 1928 and looking for further employment he was directed to Birmingham Fire Brigade where a trombone player was needed in their Band. In 1929 he married my mother Elsie and I was the first born child. We lived in Fire Brigade Quarters in various parts of the city.
Dad was a very competent musician and enjoyed playing his mouth organ or any other instrument to me and the rest of the family when at home. It was through this that I learned to love music in all it's forms and even today when I hear some of the music he played it still brings tears to my eyes.
During WW11 he served in the Birmingham Fire Brigade/National Fire Service in the rank of Section Leader in various Stations near to the City Centre and was involved in many incidents which required a lot of determination and courage. In 1941 he was Mentioned in Dispatches for his actions in carrying out a series of rescues during an Air Raid of men trapped in a burning building in the Jewellery Quarter of the City, during which he severely burned his hands.
Towards the end of the War we moved to a quieter Station in Harborne and we were looking forward to enjoying the well earned peace, but on 5h August, whilst on duty, he collapsed, suffering from a massive stroke, and died at the age of 42 years just
5 days later. He was honoured with a full Fire Brigade funeral which was some comfort to my Mother and I.
My mother was 38 years old, with myself and two other daughters aged 7 and 2 years, both too young to appreciate the loss of their Father,and she was 5 months pregnant with another daughter.
Even today. nearly 64 years later, I still feel the absence of a Father who loved us so very dearly but never had the chance of seeing his family grow up.
Added by: Peggy Brown on 17 February 2009.
add comments
Please mark your visit to this page with a few words, it all helps to keep the memories alive.
recent comments
No one has left a comment yet - so why not be the first...?
charity information
Every year, thousands of fire fighters are injured whilst protecting the public. Every 30 seconds in the UK, fire fighters are called to an incident, putting their lives on the line, and often sustaining physical injuries whilst carrying out their duties. The Fire Fighters Charity is here for fire fighters during their times of need, and assists thousands of individuals every year, by providing pioneering treatment and support services.