A 20-year-old widow has been paying tribute to her young fireman husband who has lost his courageous battle against lung cancer, just over a week after they had married in a poignant ceremony at Derriford Hospital. Gems Bendelow, formerly Collins, of Liskeard, was at the bedside of 27-year-old Rob Bendelow, along with other family members, when he died in the early hours of Sunday morning. 'In my eyes he will always be a hero,' she said. Gems, who is wearing Rob's wedding ring on a chain around her neck, says she told him before he died that she will always keep the name of Bendelow. 'Rob was the bravest person I have ever met. I will never forget him. I am very proud to be Mrs Bendelow,' she said.
Brilliant She is now planning to have a holiday with her mum Cathy to have some time to come to terms with what has happened before going back to her job in Smokey's at the Lord Eliot in Liskeard. 'The management and staff there have been brilliant through all this,' she said. Gems met Rob when he had gone into Smokey's for a drink just over ten months ago. They clicked, fell in love and were talking about getting married some time in the future, never dreaming that Rob would suddenly become so ill, so young. The first person to be told of Rob's death, which occurred at 12.30am, was his lifelong friend Dave Pearce, of East Taphouse, who shared Rob's home in Liskeard. 'Gems called me, and like everyone who knew him – he had loads of friends – we are all devastated,' he said. Tributes to the popular young firefighter who had been brought up in Dobwalls, only moving to Liskeard a year ago so he could join the brigade, have been pouring in ever since the news of his death. Being a firefighter meant so much to him he had worn his red brigade shirt for his wedding in the day room on Brent Ward. Liskeard Brigade's station Officer Phil Toms, described Rob as a really nice chap who was always smiling. 'Even though he wasn't well he had come along to help at the brigade's annual barbecue on carnival night in the town, that's the sort of person he was,' he said. 'He was very keen and enthusiastic, a true fireman turning out night and day for the community, what we call a hundred percenter. Rob will be very sadly missed by all the Liskeard crew.' In a tribute on behalf of Cornwall County Fire Service, the Chief Fire Officer Matt Littmoden said: 'Rob was a much-loved and popular firefighter and I know he has many friends within the brigade who are deeply upset by what has happened. Our thoughts are with all his loved ones and friends at this time.' Rob's own family have also come forward to pay their tributes, his parents, Bill and Elaine Bendelow describing him as a 'wonderful son.' 'The only trouble he got into as a kid was playing his music too loud' said Bill,' and he hardly ever complained about anything. 'When the doctor told him how seriously ill he was he took it on the chin. If I could have chosen a son, I would have wanted Rob.'
Promise Bill also praised Gems saying how 'made up' Rob had been when they had married. 'It was a lovely moment and Rob made us promise to always look out for her. We will, and she will always be our daughter-in-law. 'She has been brilliant through all of this, hardly leaving Rob's side and sleeping on a camp bed next to him in hospital. She made him very happy. 'I also can't thank the doctors and nurses who looked after Rob enough. Nothing was too much trouble for them. They cared for all of us.' Elaine said Rob was known in the family as 'little man' because he used to look out for his brothers and everybody else. 'Bill was in the navy and away a lot so Rob grew up quickly,' she said. 'He is irreplaceable but we have precious memories. Knowing how much he loved Gems has helped.'
Service She said his last words were typical of the son who loved life – 'Two pints of Stella please.' There is expected to be a large presence at the funeral service which takes place today (Friday) at St Martin's Church in Liskeard at 3.30pm. Fellow firefighters from the Liskeard Brigade will form a guard of honour and the cortege will be led through the town by the Liskeard Fire Appliance. Cremation will follow at Glynn Valley at 4.30pm, and the Bodmin Fire Service will be there to form the second guard of honour. Donations will be for Cancer Research UK.