The deaths of two Birmingham firefighters – one believed to be the only in the UK ever to have died trying to rescue a colleague – have been marked exactly 100 years on.
Herbert Dyche, who was stationed in Highgate, perished trying to save Acting Station Officer Alfred Moon. Moon, based in Aston, had himself been trying to rescue two workmen following a major leak at Saltley Gas Works. Tragically, his efforts were in vain.
Commemorating fire fighters lost in rescue operations
On 26 February 2019, the pair was remembered with a minute’s silence at the West Midlands Fire Service’s headquarters
On 26 February 1919, there was a serious leak of ‘town gas’ during repairs at the site. Two workmen were overcome by the fumes. Station Officer Moon was with the first crew to arrive. He entered using breathing apparatus which failed to protect him.
Dyche defied warnings about the risks and managed to reach the three. Tragically, his breathing apparatus then also failed him. On 26 February 2019, the pair was remembered with a minute’s silence at the West Midlands Fire Service’s headquarters in Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Meritorious Medal of the Professional Fire Brigades Association
John Agar, a volunteer with their own Heritage Group, said, “A year afterwards, both Moon and Dyche were posthumously awarded the Meritorious Medal of the Professional Fire Brigades Association. He further adds, “Both men were honoured with brigade funerals. Moon was interred at a cemetery in Shustoke, while Dyche’s grave in Yardley remained unmarked until 1994 when West Midlands’ firefighters raised funds for a memorial.”
Unfortunately, the gravestone of the two lost firemen has since fallen into disrepair. The West Midlands Fire Service’s Heritage Group is currently exploring the cost of having the gravestone reinstated.
