Also known as: Jim.
Jim died in March 2006 aged 86 years. He was a generous benefactor to The Fire Fighters Charity leaving behind a large legacy that will help his fellow officers for years to come.
Jim was born in Plymouth one of three children having one brother and one sister.
Before he entered the Fire Service, he served as a mechanic with Plymouth City Transport Department. In 1938 he joined the Plymouth Police Fire brigade following in his father’s footsteps, his father being Superintendent Mead of Plymouth Brigade.
He served all through the heavy bombing of Plymouth during WWII. It was at this time that he met and married Elsie his beloved wife. She was serving at Plymouth as a sergeant in the ATS. They were married in St Edward’s Church, Eggbuckland, Plymouth.
He left Plymouth Brigade in 1964 to a posting at Bristol Brigade and later moved to Belfast as ADO Operations.
He then moved to London Fire Brigade as a Div Officer at West Ham.
On retirement they moved back to Plymouth where they lived in a modest bungalow in Plymstock.
In 2001 his beloved Elsie passed away. From that time Jim lived alone and maintained his independence and privacy.
Jim had a number of interests:
1) Making money with wise investments
2) Anything mechanical, especially cars
3) 1930’s millionaire owned yachts known as ‘J; Class yachts
4) Aircraft, especially the Wellington Bomber. His wife’s younger brother had been a flight engineer who was lost over Belgium in 1943. Jim arranged that an ATS badge and that of the flight engineer WWII was engraved on Elsie and his headstones.
Jim was a dedicated fire officer who was captivated by his stay at Jubilee house and proved it with his lasting legacy to the Charity. Jim will be remembered by all those who knew him and the fire service community and its future generations will owe him a debt for his lasting legacy.
Added by: Hannah Williams on 6 January 2009.
Comments
It was with great sadness that I read of the death of DO Mead. During my service with the Belfast Fire Brigade I had the honour to have served with this gentleman. He was everything that paper stated and more, I have never forgotten his kindness and help given to me after I was injured in a bomb/fire. W B Bourcher writes [29 January 2009]:
May I conclude by saying our Service has lost a good officer and a dear friend to many fire officers.
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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.