Also known as: Ron.
In memory of Ron, former Station Officer at Blackpool Fire Station, who joined the Fire Service in 1953.
Much loved and sadly missed by all the family.
Added by: Edna Gale on 1 February 2011.
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Ron died in the hospice on Friday 26th November 2010, where he had been for 6 weeks. 21 days into his 81st year. Many friends and colleagues knew he had been very ill with a brain tumour which was diagnosed in late spring. He and his family knew it was only a matter of time. Edna Gale writes [22 March 2011]:
Born on 5th November 1930 (bonfire night) there was a certain inevitability that Ron became a fire-fighter!
Called up for National Service, he did his square bashing at Kirkham, Lancs and then on to RAF Valley where he was one of two chosen to represent RAF Valley in the coronation parade in 1953, in uniform, which he wore with distinction.
Afterwards Ron joined the Blackpool Fire Brigade and served for 30 years. He was exceedingly proud of his time in the Fire Service, with good cause. Always in the thick of hot things, he was twice formally decorated for bravery, including carrying a man from a burning building in which he would have surely died. During his career he saved other lives and worked on some of the biggest fires in Blackpool, including the Tower which took 3 days to extinguish.
He became Station Officer as well as a Fire Prevention Officer.
He also became a Blue Badge tour guide holder for the Fylde. His knowledge of the area and its history was encyclopaedic.
On 23rd August 1971 there was a robbery at Preston’s Jewellers in Blackpool. As Frederick Sewell and 5 fellow gang members tried to escape with their goods, each carrying sawn-off shot guns and crow bars, Ron was returning to the Fire Station, alone, in full uniform and saw what was happening. He sounded the alarm before tackling this heavily armed gang with his courage and his briefcase. He was coshed with a crowbar, which rendered him unconscious. The vital time he delayed them in the scuffle proved significant. The gang escaped but not before Chief Superintendant Gerald Richardson was shot dead and other police officers injured in the chase. For a while Sewell and his gang were Britain’s most wanted criminals.
Although he never received a medal Ron became a very embarrassed and reluctant celebrity when he got the title ‘Blackpool’s Unsung Hero’. A local businessman who managed KFC came forward and acknowledged Ron by contacting Colonel Saunders of KFC. He subsequently invited Ron to Kentucky, Louisville where he was honoured with the appointment as a Kentucky Colonel. Probably the only British Fire Officer to ever be so awarded.
One of his Fire Service colleagues described Ron, at his funeral, as a “really smashing bloke”.
Ron ended his career as a Fire Prevention Officer for British Rail, as it then was. A role which he made distinctly his own.
He developed a passion for tracing his family tree and was enormously proud when he discovered his link with George Washington, the first U.S. President. Ron and I went to the unveiling of a plaque at Whitehaven commemorating this link.
Ron and I have had 56 very happy years of marriage. His legacy in this life is to leave a wonderful son and daughter, 5 lovely grandchildren and lots and lots of happy memories.
A man to be proud of.
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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.