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EULOGY:
ALBERT LESLIE
GILLINGS,
JP
1 September
1930
to
1 August
2006
It was with
great
sadness
that
the
Worshipful Company of
Firefighters
learned of
the
death,
on
the 1st August 2006, of our
Past Master & Assistant Clerk
Finance, Bertie Gillings.
Bertie,
a
founder of
the Company
and
a
Past Master, was much
loved
by
everyone.
He was
a
real
gentleman,
a
true
professional
and one who
devoted
his
entire
life
to others
in
so many ways.
For
the
last 15
years, Bertie was
almost
as well
Albert Leslie Gillings was born
in
September
known
in Charing, Kent where Gerry
and Rose
1930, within
the Borough of Hackney.
It was
not
live,
as
he was
in Chingford.
So much
so,
that
until much
later
in
life
that
he
came
to be
known
Bertie was
very
involved with
the
activities of
the
as Bertie
and
in 1948
he was
called
up
for
village,
serving on
a
number of
committees
and
National
Service
and
joined
the Royal Marines.
It
indeed was
even
appointed
as President of one
was
there
that
the
importance of
self discipline
of Charing's
associations.
The Annual Duck
and
supportive
teamwork were
instilled
in
him
Regatta
and
the Annual Garden Parties
always
and
stayed with
him
throughout
life.
During
this
sported
'Bertie's Bar'.
time
he began what would become
a
lifetime
interest
in military
history.
Bertie's
career
in
the London
Fire Brigade
progressed well. Always
respected
as
a
In 1950 Bertie
joined
the London
Fire Brigade.
hardworking,
thoroughly
reliable officer with
the
That
single decision
set
him on
the path of
utmost
integrity,
he
rose
through
the
ranks
to
serving
the
community
and
helping others
-
a
become
a Deputy Assistant Chief
Fire Officer
in
golden
thread
throughout
his working
life
and
command of
the
challenging
large
area of North
beyond.
Even
in
his
early
years
in
the Brigade,
East of London.
Bertie was
involved with
a
charity which
encouraged
young boys
to
take
up boxing
to
get
During
his
career
in
the
Fire
Service Bertie
joined
them off
the
streets
and
away
from bad
the Masonic Order
and
served
in
three Lodges.
company. His distinguished
fire
service
career
Bertie
gave
long
and dedicated
service
in both
spanned over 34
years
and during
this period
he
the organisation
and
its
considerable
fund
raising
forged
strong
friendships
and proved
himself
a
and within
the Masonic Movement, where Bertie
caring
leader
and working
hard
for
his
family.
once
again
reached
high office
and was
greatly
There was
no
greater
life-long
friendship
than
respected.
that
formed by
two
young
instructors
at
the
London
Fire Brigade Training
School
at
Southwark
in 1965.
That
friendship between
Station Officer Albert Gillings
and our
Founder
Master,
then
Station Officer Gerald Clarkson was
to
last over 40
years
and
never waiver.
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