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Firefighter who died in blitz blaze honoured

FBU A black and white photograph of Hector MacDonald Graham. He has his hair brushed back and is wearing a suit with a bow tie and is looking at the camera.FBU
Hector MacDonald Graham was killed as he tackled a fire in a warehouse

A volunteer firefighter who died while tackling a blaze during the mass bombing of Liverpool's docks during World War Two has been honoured by the Fire Brigades Union.

Hector MacDonald Graham, from Allerton, was killed as he fought a huge fire in a warehouse on 5 October 1940 - at the height of German raids on England.

A special red plaque has been unveiled at the docks to ensure his "bravery and sacrifice" is "never forgotten", the FBU said.

Mr Graham's daughter Jean Glenn, 91, said she was a "proud" moment.

FBU A sepia photograph of 11 young male soldiers dressed in uniform posing for the cameras in three rows with all looking at the camera.FBU
Hector Graham had previously fought in World War One

Hector MacDonald Graham had earlier fought in World War One and worked in the chemical industry before he signed up as a volunteer firefighter in 1938.

Liverpool experienced its first air raid in August 1940 and was targeted regularly through the autumn of 1940 with 15 raids in the September and nine in the October.

On the night he was called into action, Mr Graham volunteered to stay on duty throughout the night to fight the massive fires caused by terrifying incendiary bombs, which were designed to spark huge blazes.

When Duke's Dock warehouse building collapsed in flames Mr Graham was killed.

Jean Glenn has short grey hair and is wearing a red beret, a black coat and sunglasses. Dee has long blonde hair and is wearing a red top and black jacket.
Mr Graham's daughter Jean Glenn, left, and granddaughter Dee, right, attended the unveiling
A close up of the red circular plaque which has embossed silver writing which reads: Honouring the bravery and sacrifice of Hector 'Mac' Graham of West Farm Allerton Auxiliary Fire Station who gave his life in the line of duty at Duke's Dock, Liverpool - 5th October 1940
The special red plaque honoured Mr Graham's "bravery and sacrifice"

Ms Glenn, who was seven at the time of her father's death, said she knew little about him growing up.

"I had just celebrated my seventh birthday when my dad was killed and in the custom of those days, children should be invisible," she said.

"I was sent away for several weeks to a relative and returned home when everything was over and done and just told that my daddy was killed in a fire and I wouldn't see him again."

She said the unveiling of the plaque was important to her as she had not been able to attend his funeral.

"This replaces that for me," she said.

Lee Hunter, the FBU's regional chairman, said: "Eighty-five years after his death protecting Liverpool from the fires of the Blitz, we will make sure he is always remembered as part of the history of our city."

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