The Service
The Memorial Service for Firefighters Alan Bannon and James Shears has been held in Winchester.
The Service was held at Winchester Cathedral on Wednesday, 14 July and attended by representatives from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, members of other Fire and Rescue Services, and representatives from both local and national government.
The Service began at 14:30 and was led by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Chaplain, the Reverend Derek Overfield.
Firefighters Alan Bannon and James Shears tragically lost their lives whilst tackling a fire at Shirley Towers in Southampton on April 6.
Both men were members of Red Watch at St Mary’s Community Fire Station in Southampton.
Their funerals were held in April, however, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service wanted to hold a Memorial Service to celebrate the men’s lives and their commitment to helping others.
In a tribute to James and Alan, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Chief Officer John Bonney, said:
“The fire in Shirley Towers was a difficult and dangerous one which required skill and valour to attack and defeat – Alan and James met that challenge without hesitation or question and, in so doing, paid the highest price.
“They made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others and we honour that today – we owe them a debt of respect and gratitude that can never be repaid – and through the weeks and months since that tragic fire, through all the tears shed and grief-stricken moments, our resolve to hold them close in our thoughts has never, and will never, waiver.”
Earlier in the day the new Hampshire Firefighters Memorial was unveiled at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters in Eastleigh.
The project was initiated by former Deputy Chief Officer, Alan House, years before the tragic events of April 6.
The memorial was initially due to be unveiled on April 30, however the Shirley Towers incident meant it had to be postponed until today.
The memorial stone contains the names of 60 Hampshire firefighters who have lost their lives over the past 110 years and includes the names of Alan Bannon and James Shears.
The memorial stone can be viewed at the Leigh Road entrance to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.
