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8th May 2024
Posted by Aston Avery
he National Red Plaque Fire Service Memorial was officially inaugurated on May 4 2024, Firefighters Memorial Day, at the Living Memorial complex in Rettendon, Essex, honouring the bravery and sacrifice of fallen fire service personnel. The event was attended by dignitaries and senior fire service colleagues from around the UK. The Memorial is the first one in Britain not only to honour fire service personnel who died on duty, but also those who died after their period of service. It comprises a garden of remembrance, a memorial wall with the names of fallen fire service personnel inscribed on it, and a building housing historical fire service memorabilia. The centrepiece is a statue of a firefighter completed by Essex sculptor Dave Taylor.
The memorial was constructed at the initiative of the England 4 chapter of the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club.
The ceremony commenced with opening remarks by Norm Beausoleil, International Vice President of the Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club who travelled from the USA to attend the opening. Riccardo la Torre, National Officer of the Fire Brigades Union, Moira Bruin, Deputy Chief Fire Officer of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, and David Hurst, High Sheriff of Essex, all spoke, underscoring the importance of the occasion.
In her remarks at the ceremony, Essex Deputy Chief Fire Officer Moira Bruin said:
“Today we are not just opening a memorial garden; we are creating a sacred space, a place of remembrance, reflection and healing. The memorial garden is a tribute to our heroes, a place where their stories will live on, and where their memories will inspire future generations”.
Cllr Linda Mascot, Mayor of Chelmsford, officially opened the memorial with a ceremonial unveiling. Fr John Bloomer of the Chelmsford Diocese led the assembly in reflection and dedication, followed by heartfelt remarks from Fran Theobald, who spoke on behalf of the Living Memorial. She said:
“We started the Living Memorial sixteen years ago, initially commemorating those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and adding memorials for more conflicts and service branches over the years. Firefighters are people who run into danger when everybody else is running away, and we very much want people to remember this. We hope very much that you will come down and see our memorial”.
Ronnie Patterson, President of Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club England 4 Chapter, whose members were instrumental in creating the memorial, said:
“Today marked a poignant moment in our collective history as we honoured the courageous fire service colleagues who dedicated their lives to serving their communities. The National Red Plaque Fire Service Memorial stands as a testament to their bravery and selflessness, ensuring that their legacy will be remembered and revered for generations to come. We are deeply grateful to all who have contributed to this meaningful tribute. The Red Knights remain committed to upholding the spirit of camaraderie and remembrance that this memorial represents”.
Essex-based sculptor Dave Taylor who created the statue of the firefighter said:
“I was approached by the Red Knights to create a sculpture of a firefighter, and whilst they were quite specific about the pose, the club members were open to suggestions about how we would realise the piece. Working with one of the team in full PPE, I took photos and measurements, using their equipment as reference. It’s challenging working with over 200kgs of clay, but the club was very supportive. I’m proud to be part of the project and enjoyed working on it immensely”.
The event concluded with a performance by the Sutherland Pipes and Drums.