Memorial for firefighter killed in 1950 cat rescue

A firefighter who survived the blitz during the Second World War but died while rescuing a cat from a tree has been honoured with a commemorative plaque.

Father-of-one Colin Hill served as a firefighter during the Sheffield Blitz in 1940 but died 10 years later aged 39.

Colin's plaque at Heeley City Farm is around half a mile away from where he died and was unveiled on the 76th anniversary of his death on Friday.

Attending the service, his son David, 80, said it was a "very emotional day" and since his dad's death, the fire service had changed its guidance around animal rescues.

"I think it's marvellous he's being honoured," said Hill, a retired health and safety advisor.

"I think these things should be remembered, we can always learn from events like this, and I know procedures were changed after my father's death in respect of animal rescues, and I think that was right.

"These days it's all down to risk assessment but maybe things were a bit more relaxed in 1950."

The fatal incident happened at the rear of a house on Albert Road, Sheffield, on 5 June 1950.

The cat had been stuck around 35ft (10m) up a tree.

The firefighter had climbed a 30ft (9m) ladder and stepped onto the tree to scramble the rest of the way to reach the cat.

But on his way back to the ladder a branch snapped and he fell to his death.

He left behind wife Dorothy, and their-then two-year-old son, who lived nearby in Nether Edge.

"My mother was 99 when she died, she suffered from a type of dementia, so it's particularly appropriate that the plaque has been placed in the dementia garden," their son said.

"My father was a keen gardener, so he would have been quite at home in here."

Senior leaders from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Fire Brigades Union and family members attended, including Colin's grandsons, Richard, 53, and Andrew, 55.

Richard, who is a volunteer at Woodhead Mountain Rescue, said it was "very special" to see his grandad honoured.

It is the fourth red plaque to be unveiled in the city. The others are located at Parkway fire station, Browns Restaurant in Norfolk Street, and Pounds Park.

Since 2017, the Red Plaque Project has created memorials for firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty and is funded by the Fire Brigades Union.

Alex Wilson, brigade organiser for the FBU in South Yorkshire, said there had been around 35 firefighter deaths in South Yorkshire from 1888 to 1995.

"We are working our way through that role of honour and trying to ensure that every single person on that list has a red plaque," said Alex.

"It's important for the community to learn about what happened and remember the sacrifice firefighters make on behalf of the public."

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