Today, Saltash will stage a moving memorial service to its World War Two ’band of brothers’.
Tributes will be paid to the memory of six firefighters who lost their lives in the Plymouth Blitz 75 years ago today.
A memorial service will be held at 4.30pm in St Stephen’s Churchyard at the gravesides, the first time in 75 years that such a service has been held at the graves on the day and about the time the six men left Saltash to go to the aid of the city’s people.
Statistically this was the biggest loss of life in Saltash during the war, and also of fire fighters in England in a single incident.
The firefighters were auxiliaries set up to supplement regular full time men. They came from different walks of life. One was a farmer who wanted to join the army, but had to stay home in a protected job. He joined the AFS ‘to do his bit.’ His two brothers joined the army and survived. Another was the unit’s instructor. As there was a spare seat he and another volunteered to go.
The men had only basic kit. They wore boiler suits, tin hats, rubber boots and oilskins, and carried gas masks. Their transport was a six-seater taxi converted to tow a trailer pump.
Francis Brooking, Stanley Crabbe, Alfred Crapp, Bernard Jasper, John Stanlake and Leslie Tibbs were buried together in St Stephen’s and a commemorative plaque was dedicated in a service in 2008.
The memorial service will be conducted by the Rev Michael Goodland, Rural Dean, and an address will be given by Mr Barry Brooking, grandson of one of the firefighters. A lone piper will play.
Representatives of four of the six families are expected to attend, together with firefighters and cadets from Saltash Community Fire Station, members of Saltash Council and the mayor and mayoress. The memorial is supported by Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service.