- Contributed by听
- DeanBillington
- People in story:听
- Alfred Billington
- Location of story:听
- Birmingham/Coventry
- Background to story:听
- Civilian Force
- Article ID:听
- A2852363
- Contributed on:听
- 20 July 2004
My Grandads name is Alfred Billington, and he is 95 years of age.
My Grandads story is a little different to the other stories on here, because he wasnt a soldier, sailor or airman, he was a wartime fireman, in what was known as the 'Birmingham Fire Service'.
Many people owe not only their lives, but the lives of their descendants, to firemen like my grandad.
During the coventry Blitz, my grandad was one of many brave firefighters to be literally 'sent to coventry'.
My grandad used to tell a story regularly, about one episode during the coventry Blitz.
He and his colleagues were fighting a particularly fierce fire, DURING a bombing campaign by the luftwaffe. He could see the ensuing air battle clearly, between the Luftwaffe and the pilots of the Royal Air Force. During this battle, my grandfathers fire engine was straffed by a gunner on board one of the bombers, my grandad, literally had his fire engine shot out from under him. After doing a few repairs he and his colleagues were able to get the engine back to their station.
The firemen, like a lot of the home services are the forgotten heros of the second world war, and I want this story to be placed on the website for posterity.
On his 90th Birthday, I emailed the West Midlands fire service, to ask if they would like to do something for him. They were absolutely brilliant, they sent a senior officer round, with a certificate, a fire service coat of arms, and a new fire service tie. (something my grandad never goes out without wearing, even at 95 yrs of age)
The WMFS also presented my gran with a headscarf, which she was delighted with.
My grandad was so near to tears, he said, and I quote 'After all these years I never thought the fire service would remember me'.
Now my grandad is 95, and has altzheimers syndrome. He has good and bad days. I'm so glad I got the fire service involved when he could appreciate it, and will forever be grateful to them for making his birthday special.
Things change so quickly and people get forgotten. Brave deeds get forgotten also.
Time to remember all the brave firemen and home services that fought in the war, I think.
Dean Billington
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