Page 100 - Archived Back Issues

FIREFIGHTER MEMBERS NEWS
Obituary - Norman Rose QFSM
Norman Rose passed away quietly at St Barnabas Hospice Worthing on Tuesday 6th September 2011 after a long battle with cancer.
Norman was born in Croydon on 24th April 1925 and was one of seven children. When he left school he joined the Royal Navy serving in the latter years of the Second World War.
After the war he became a fireman on the railways then joined the London Fire Brigade, as it was known then, progressing steadily through the ranks, finally achieving the office of Assistant Chief at Lambeth Fire Station.
Towards the end of his service, Norman was awarded the Queens Fire Service Medal and shortly after, awarded another medal for bravery whilst attending a large fire at Mitcham in Surrey.
After 30 years service he retired to Rustington in Sussex. Ever active, he became a JP and served 10 years on the bench
Following the loss of his wife Doris in 1992, Norman filled much of his time being a very active Freemason. “Storming Norman” as many of us called him, was a wonderful raconteur, telling numerous stories often extensively embellished keeping us amused over many a year. A larger than life individual with a larger than life heart.
Norman was admitted as a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Firefighters on 12th February 2004, became a Freeman of the City of London on 11th May 2004 and a Liveryman on 2nd July the same year.
Norman leaves behind 5 children, 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He will be sadly missed by all.
Obituary - Court Assistant Ronald Leslie Fisher
We were all deeply saddened to hear of the death of our dear friend and Court Assistant Ronald Fisher who passed away on 2nd October following a fairly long illness. Despite this he maintained his love and interest in the Company to the very last.
Ron served for over 30 years in the London Fire Brigade rising to the rank of Divisional Officer in their “B” Division. This saw him working in some of the most challenging parts of south London and taking control of many hazardous incidents. In addition to the Fire Brigades Long Service and Conduct Medal, during his career he also
received a Royal Humane Society Award for saving the life of a child. His firefighters liked the way that he led from the front. A formidable character, as “the Governor” he was known to be always firm but fair.
Ron Fisher supported our Company and its events from its very inception as a Guild in 1988, serving on our Court of Assistants for many years. He was at our Foundation Dinner at the Stationers' Hall on the 14th July 1989. He became a Member of The Guild in June 1989, received Freedom of the Company in July 1998 and, along with a number of others, become a Freeman of the City of London on 23rd October 2001. This was the date on which the Court of Aldermen of the City of London granted the Company Livery status. It has only been in the last year or so that with failing health he has been unable to attend as many events as he would usually do but in my role as Master I felt very honoured that he made a special effort to attend Common Hall in July.
His last outing with us was a luncheon trip in August when a number of his friends wheeled him to his local in New Malden for a “pint and a wad”. It was a super and very memorable day. Ron has been a credit to this Company, an example to all, and will be sadly missed.
Peter Cowland, Master
Great South Run
This year on 30th October I took part in the Bupa Great South Run 2011 to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support and appreciate your support for that effort. As many of you know my father David Rhodes died of Cancer in 2008 and was a great supporter of the Macmillan Charity and their nurses provided great assistance to our family. This is not my first time running in the Great Run series. I have completed 4 Great North Runs raising £1500 for the Kevin Clough fund and twice in the Great South Run raising £600 for The Eve Appeal ovarian cancer charity in memory of my God daughter Hannah. The Great South Run is a 10 mile run that takes place in Portsmouth. I have raised £405 for the charity which I am really pleased with and I know that will greatly assist the charity. I would like to thank those members of the company who kindly contributed to this effort should anyone else wish to do so they can still place a donation on my Just Giving Page - see opposite.
I know many of you get numerous requests for charitable donations, rest assured that Just Giving sends your donation straight to Macmillan Cancer Support and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you're a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more. I hope you'll join me in supporting Macmillan Cancer Support.
Thank you so very much - Andrew Rhodes
It's still easy to donate online with a credit or debit card - just go to my Just Giving page at the link below even the smallest donation of just £1 will assist the charity in the work they do.
www.justgiving.com/Andrew-W-Rhodes
Members of the company joined liveryman Donald Bond at the recent funeral of Rose Bond and learned of her selfless commitment as a house mother to so many under-privileged children.
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