HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the Firefighters Memorial Trust recently attended the Fire and Rescue Service plot at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, was driven through a parade of Standard Bearers and Ceremonial Squads before being greeted by the Chairman of the Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust, Gerry Clarkson.

She was then escorted by Trustee Colin Bailey to the new Monument built as a result of an appeal from the Trust. She then unveiled the main stone Monument. A short service of Dedication was led by the Trust’s Chaplain, Reverend David Rhodes and included prayers, hymns and blessings.

During the service Trustee Colin Livett read the following: The 8 points or tenets of the star  depicted on the Monument represent the qualities required of a firefighter - TACT  -  GALLANTRY  -  DEXTERITY  -  OBSERVATION  -  PERSEVERANCE  -  LOYALTY  -  EXPLICITNESS  AND  SYMPATHY . The Fire Service provides the opportunity for every firefighter to use those gifts for the benefit of providing humanitarian services to the public they serve.

Music was provided at the ceremony by the massed band, made up from six FRS bands. Several hundred people attended the ceremony including representatives from FRSs and FRAs across the nation and families of some of the many fire and rescue service personnel, who have lost their lives whilst on operational duties. The monument, a six and half ton block of red granite, surmounted by a stainless steel and enamel badge  and engraved on both sides, has been two years in the making and recognises past, present and future Firefighters.

A reception held afterwards was attended by about four hundred people, approximately one hundred of whom were introduced to The Patron. They were drawn from Brigades and Companies involved in supporting the provision and dedication of the Monument and/or general support for the work of the Trust. In particular HRH The Princess Royal spent a considerable time with family members associated with some of operational deaths over the past five years, the period since she unveiled the newly raised UK National Firefighters Memorial in the City of London.  Members of the West Yorkshire FRS Band entertained in the Marquee.

Gerry Clarkson, Chairman of the Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust, “We were blessed by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal and we were blessed by the weather. Attendees couldn’t fail to be moved by the ceremony which marked the contribution Firefighters make in serving their community.”

The Trust is grateful to all those in the Fire & Rescue Service community and other interested parties, for their continued support for its aims and ideals.