Firefighters killed in WW2 raid to be remembered

A memorial event is set to take place to honour Nottinghamshire firefighters who were killed and injured in a World War Two bombing raid.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service (NFRS) said it wanted to honour volunteers called to Manchester during the devastating "Christmas Blitz", on 23 December, 1940.

Among those sent were six firefighters, based at Kirkby in Ashfield, of whom three were killed and three were seriously injured.

The fire service said it wanted to trace their relatives and invite them to a service on Remembrance Day on 11 November.

Volunteers Ralph Burrows, a bus driver, and Joseph Henry Wright, a decorator, were killed in Piccadilly, while Alan Richard Day, also a decorator, was injured and died in hospital the following day.

Ronald Lowe and William Makinson were both badly hurt and treated at Manchester Royal Infirmary, and George Best was transported to Mansfield General Hospital for treatment.

A NFRS spokesperson said: "To mark Remembrance Day later this year, Ashfield Fire Station is hosting a memorial event, and we will be remembering all six firefighters.

"We would love for their family and friends to attend, which is why it is so important for us to get in touch with them."

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