There are few people who can say they’ve seen our Charity develop from the very start, 80 years ago. But Jeff Brereton has not only been one of our beneficiaries for most of that time – he’s also been a key player in the development of our support pathways.
The retired firefighter, who’s just turned 102, served in the RAF during World War II before joining the fire service in 1946, three years after our Charity – then the Fire Service National Benevolent Fund – was formed.
Here, he shares his journey with us over the years, why he’s supported us throughout the decades and how he’s now watching his grandson follow in his footsteps…
“I volunteered for the RAF in 1940, at age 19, and left in 1946 – when I immediately joined the fire service,” says Jeff.
“I served as a mechanic on Hurricane aircraft during the Battle of Britain and was later introduced to the fire family, as I served on a self-contained mobile fighter squadron both at home and in six countries abroad. There, safety was paramount and comradeship was first class.
“This was the main reason I chose a career in the fire service which I am still enjoying today with the Retired Members’ Association.
“I served my whole career firefighting in Staffordshire, retiring as Assistant Chief Fire Officer. I was awarded the Queen’s Fire Service Medal, which also recognised my service to the Ben Fund.
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“I continued with the Fund (now The Fire Fighters Charity) after retiring from the fire service, serving 30 years on the Group, National Executive and National Council – 42 years altogether, before retiring at the age of 85.
“During that time, I was instrumental in recognising uniformed control room staff as they manned mobile controls at large fires, as well as uniformed mechanics who serviced fire appliances on the fire ground.
“The Charity invested wisely so we were able to widen the scope for benefits. I took part in all subcommittees including the purchase of Harcombe House and Jubilee House. I served all my time at the national level, when the Charity was organised by the fire service, and retired after ten years as a Vice President. I continued on the Group Council from there.
“I did not need any support myself, I wanted to help those less fortunate, but I did attend the 70th Anniversary of the Ben Fund at the Guildhall in London.
“I enjoyed my time with the Charity immensely, and seeing the fantastic work it does every day brings me a lot of pride. It’s so important to continue supporting it – you never know when you may need its support.”
We also spoke to Jeff’s daughters, Anne and Margaret, about their memories from their childhood, when their father was a firefighter.
Anne says: “Some of my memories are of going out with my father on Sunday mornings, travelling around rural lanes to check fire hydrants in the road. My reward was a big bar of chocolate to take home.
“I also have a very vivid memory of my Dad arriving home from work every day when he would radio into the control centre. He used to say his call sign which used to broadcast through the speakers on the old radiogram in our house. He used to say, ‘Sierra 3 closing down at home address – over’.
“There was then a reply from a very nice sounding lady saying, ‘Thank you Sierra 3, understood, over and out’! When I heard this, I knew my dad was safely home, even before he had walked through the front door.
“My sister Margaret and I also remember a time when we were just about to start our Christmas dinner and my father had literally picked up his knife and fork and had a call out. He never did get hi dinner that year.
“We also remember accompanying him to an event at the Staffordshire County Showground when a very tall flagpole fell and hit him on the head. We were both given some sweet tea whilst he was bundled off into an ambulance. He was later released unharmed and was the subject of many jokes about being a tough nut!”
NARF also spoke to the family to hear about some of Jeff’s memories. Here are just a few snippets from their conversation:
One of Jeff’s postings was at South Division HQ when it was located opposite the old Water Street Station in Stafford. He was, at this point, Deputy Divisional Officer at Stafford working under Joe Cowan. A former colleague, Dick Slater, recalls that the station was an “old and cold place at times especially the Nissen Hut.” Dick also said: “As I recall, he was a quiet person but always polite and pleasant when I attended the offices to deliver the mail or stoke up the fires.”
On one occasion, Jeff attended a barn fire to see how operations were going. On his walk around the incident a firefighter dashed past him followed by a very angry bull. He remarked: “We are here to put out the fire not play with the animals.”
Throughout both of Jeff’s careers, he was a keen sports person, representing Staffordshire Fire Service, at cricket, almost to the point of his retirement from the service. Jeff went on to reach the rank of Assistant Chief Fire Officer and duly retired, from Staffordshire Fire Brigade, in 1981.
He recently travelled to Northumberland FRS to visit his grandson, Rob, who is serving as a firefighter. I am sure that a full tour of the building was provided and a close inspection of the appliances was carried out. I know that Jeff is delighted that the Brereton “tradition” is continuing. He is still involved with the Royal Air Force Association and currently President of the Evesham Branch.
Jeff informed us that early in 2023 at the incredible age of 102, he is going to go up in a Hurricane and puts his long life down to not letting the grass grow, keeping active and helping others who are less fortunate than yourself. What a man!
By donating now, you can support more people like Jeff, throughout their lives.