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5
Bertie
understood
that
the
end of
a
selfless
spoke of
the
great
honour
and pride
he
felt
in
career
in
the
Fire
Service was
not
the
end of
his
being presented
to
the dedicated
and
hard
working
life
and
that
he
still
had much
to offer.
working Patron of
the Memorial Charitable Trust
Within
a
year of
leaving
the Brigade
in 1984
he
- Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
was
appointed
a Magistrate
for North East
Bertie was
also
an
active
and well-respected
London
serving
at Waltham
Forest
and
member of
the Honourable Artillery Company
Snaresbrook Crown Court.
He went on
to
where
he dined
almost on
a weekly basis.
become
the Chairman of
the
Family Proceedings
Nothing pleased Bertie more
than
to
entertain
Panel, where
he was well
recognised
and much
his
friends,
family
and
colleagues
to
lunch
at
valued
in
this
important
and
extremely
sensitive
Armoury House
in
the City of London
and
always
role. At
the
same
time Bertie became
involved
as
attended
the Members Monthly Luncheon.
a Committee Member of
the Chingford
and
Waltham
Forest Branch of
the Royal British
When one
realises
that many
have
never
Legion
and within
a
year was
appointed
the
achieved what Bertie did
in
his
lifetime,
it
is
President of
the Royal British Legion Club
at
difficult
to
comprehend
that
he would often
Chingford.
In 1988 Bertie was
appointed
remark
that
he
had
not done much
in
life.
The
President of
the Royal Naval Association
for
reality
is
that Bertie
led
a
full
and
active
life,
filled
Chingford
and Waltham
Forest.
with
kindness
and
care
for others.
This
unassuming man
from
the East End of London
As
if
this were
not
enough, Bertie was
appointed
achieved
so much
in
his
lifetime
that
he
is
to be
the Commissioner
for
St
John Ambulance
very much
admired
and
greatly
respected.
London District where
he
served with distinction
for
the
next
eight
years.
In
his
role
as
Bertie was
so
very proud of
his wife Veronica
Commissioner
he was
responsible
for
all
the
St
who
nursed
him
throughout
his
long period of
ill
John Ambulance public duties
across
the
capital.
health
and
her
tremendous
energy
and
support
in
These
included Trooping
the Colour, London
everything
he did.
He
commented on many
Marathons, Royal Garden Parties, VE
and VJ
occasions during
the
last
few
years
about
the
fact
celebrations
and
numerous marches
and
that Veronica
has been
a
tower of
strength
and
a
demonstrations.
Bertie was
honoured by being
great
comfort during
very difficult
times.
made
a Commander of
the Order.
Bertie
He was proud of
his
son David
and
his wife
continued
to
serve London District
as
a member
Carmel
and
their
three
children;
his daughter Kay
of Council
and
at
the
same
time
served National
and
her
husband Bob.
Bertie was
a man who
Headquarters on
the Honours & Awards
embraced
life's opportunities
to
the
full,
leaving
Committee.
Bertie
served
for over 17
years
and
an
enormous
legacy of
goodwill,
love
and
was
honoured
and proud when
he was
awarded
understanding.
In
life
and
in
illness, Bertie
the
Service Medal
and Bar
for
his
service
to
Gillings
continued
to be
a
cheerful
example
to
us
mankind.
all
and will
always be
fondly
remembered.
For
a
In 1988 Bertie was
active
in
founding
the Guild of
great many
in
the Worshipful Company of
Firefighters,
now
the Worshipful Company of
Firefighters
and
in other organisations
it will
have
Firefighters
and was one of our
early Masters,
been
a
real privilege
to
have
shared
life with
subsequently
holding
the positions of Trustee
and
Bertie Gillings,
a
true
and
compassionate
friend.
Assistant Clerk
(Finance),
an
appointment
he
He will be
long
remembered
and
greatly missed.
held
for
the past
ten
years.
During
his
term
in
office
as Assistant Clerk
(Finance)
he
ensured
that
the prompt payment of
fines & quarterage
was
achieved
in
the most pleasant manner.
His
stewardship of
the Livery
Fund
enabled
the
Company
to
have one of
the
finest
functions
at
the Mansion House, with
the Lord Mayor
present,
following
the Grant of Letters Patent
in
January 2002.
Bertie's
continuing
enthusiasm
led
him
to be
a
founder Trustee of
the
Firefighters' Memorial
Charitable Trust. This
culminated
in
the bronze
War Memorial outside
St Paul's Cathedral being
unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The
Queen Mother
in May 1991.
On
the base of
the
memorial Bertie's
name
as
a
Founder Trustee
is
proudly
inscribed.
With Bertie's
continuing
support
as
a
Founder Trustee
the
same Memorial
was
elevated,
some
ten
years
later,
to
accommodate
all
the
names
cast
in bronze of
all
the
firefighters who
have died
in peacetime
service.
Bertie,
as
a
Founder Trustee
always