Luke Pollard MP was privileged to attend a special memorial service at St Stephen’s Church in Saltash to remember six local firefighters who lost their lives in the Plymouth Blitz.

Francis J. Brooking, Stanley R. Crabb, Alfred J Crabb, Bernard Jasper, John R.H Stanlake and Leslie G. Tibbs, all from from Saltash, Cornwall, went to Plymouth to help put out the blaze caused by German bombs. They died on 22nd April 1941 after their vehicle detonated an unexploded bomb on King Street, Devonport.

Luke Pollard MP said:

Today’s service was a reminder that so many people across the entire region stepped up to help defend our country from the Blitz – not just those in the armed services, but a great many ordinary civilians as well.

 

It was a poignant service, and I was proud to show thanks on behalf of the city.

In conversation with Barry Brooking, whose grandfather was one of the volunteer firefighters, Luke said:

Over the last month we have been remembering the people who died in the Blitz, not only the 1,174 civilians who were killed, but also the firefighters who died fighting the flames caused by the bombs and the incendiary devices …

 

…it wasn’t just a story of Plymouth firefighters … It’s a story about how the entire region stepped up to help.

You can watch Luke’s conversation with Barry Brooking in full here.