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Francis was the first son born to Harry and Florence Weaver. He was followed by six more boys, in all seven in 10 years. As you can imagine, life was a struggle with 9 hungry mouths to feed on Dads meagre wage.

Growing up as the eldest, he had to help Mother whenever he could, by the age of 10 he was helping his family to wash shirts, bed clothes etc, and all by hand. Also he helped to get what meals they could find, this training came in handy, as he loved to cook in later life!! On top of this he had to attend a local hospital 3 days a week for treatment for a crooked spine, which thankfully improved, so childhood was no joy for him! All the boys played on the street or in nearby fields with other such families, they had to find their own amusement, no toys or books available.

Father was a very quiet man so any punishment was doled out by “Mother”, which was quiet frequent!! Gradually one by one, the boys were old enough to do odd jobs, and on a Saturday Francis was consigned to help the local Co-op baker – delivering bread all day in a horse and cart, and at the end had the task of taking the horse back to the field and tying him up for the night! A grand sum of 6 pence was the reward, all handed over to mother!

However, having survived this hard up-bringing, all the boys eventually got a job and had to go. Francis started at our local needle making factory, (the only one in the village, so 9 out of 10 residents worked there). He worked on needle tool machines, and got very interested in engineering, plenty of patience!! As later in life he became tool room supervisor.

At 17, he decided to join the local Fire Brigade, which at that time consisted of very antique equipment, in an old shed attached to the pub, (very convenient after a fire). During the war, the work was changed a lot, and munitions were a priority. He then did 12 hour shifts at the factory and his fire duty, so was kept busy!!

The next step was Army Service, and he was called up to the Royal Armoured Corps and had to do training up in Yorkshire. After that the regiment was moved to abroad. We were “courting” by then, and got engaged while Francis was on embarkation leave. After moving across Europe, the regiment finally settled in the Middle East. After a time he was promoted and instructing his men on lorry and tank maintenance. He had a few tales to tell about that and life in the desert.

Then came DEMOB and back to home, me and his family. On leaving, the Colonel of the regiment wrote a lovely tribute, which I still treasure. “A thoroughly reliable and conscientious N.C.O. a good driver and mechanic, he can be relied on to get the best out of his men. Always well turned out, he is a credit to the Regiment. His departure will be felt by all and he will be sadly missed.”

We were married in 1948, October, but unfortunately from February of that year I was very ill, in bed for months and then convalescent. Francis then showed his true colours, he was marvellous and helped my Mom to nurse me, all his spare time was with me. Fetching and carrying, sitting by my side for hours.

He did do his fire-duty hours and sometimes during the day in the factory they were called out, mainly farm fires, chimney fires etc. We had very few cars in those days so no terrible accidents. As more of his brothers got to the appropriate age they too joined the Brigade, so it was quiet a family affair.

After a few years Francis took over a new station and became Sub-Officer, we had good times then, dinners etc. with officers from other stations, and we also held a flower show every year for the Benevolent Fund. He finally got involved with the judging, and also did other local shows.

The years rolled by and at 50 Francis decided to retire. In 1975 we had a shock when we were notified from Downing Street, London that he was to receive the B.E.M. I was so proud, and ran round to tell the neighbours!!! But being his usual calm self Francis took it all in his stride. The lads and wives put on a grand party for us with people from far and wide in the Service, what a night we had!! At the factory they were so pleased and the newspaper reporters took pictures of him running out to a “Shout” as they called it. The firm was very good about it all, as he was so well liked, and known for being kind and helpful whenever trouble cropped up.

At the appointed time the Queen was out of the country, so the ceremony was held at Warwick County Hall and the medal presented by the Lord Lieutenant Major Smith-Ryland. But in the end Francis was presented to the Queen and prince Philip, so alls well that ends well. I was involved with the Royal Life Saving Society, the Headquarters being just up the road at Studley Manor. The Queen was our patron, and invited several members to a Cocktail Party at the Palace, at 6.30pm at the famous picture Gallery. That was a night to remember, beautiful food and drinks never-ending!!! Again Francis took it calmly in his stride, not showing his emotions, he never did outwardly (only with me at home). His approach to life certainly stood him in good stead, as his illness started in 1995 and from then on till he died in 2006 it was hospitals and operations. In those 11 years we spent half our lives in 10 different hospital, all over the region. He had some horrible treatment, but he never complained, only worrying about me sitting on my own waiting. He always said ‘its got to be done, so no good making a fuss”. When at the end and we knew there was no hope, his worries were all for me and how I would cope on my own. He certainly was one in a million a “Very Brave Man”.

I received a number of condolence letters from various brigades as all the Officers spoke very highly about him and how kind and helpful he had been. Included was one from the Chief of the London Fire Service.

We had 59 years together, in a wonderful marriage and I wouldn’t change it at all. I keep in contact with the Station, and they will always help in anyway if I need them. It’s a privilege to have been amongst it all.