Former Hero Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Station Officer George Taylor Funeral Guard of Honor.

ON 23 May 2022, the funeral of former Station Officer George Taylor (aged 94) was held in Southport., Merseyside, UK,

As a fire fighters, Officer George Taylor famously rescued 5 people from the 4th Floor Ledge of Henderson's Department Store, Church Street, in Liverpool. At the time the 6 were trapped on a ledge at the front of the building, and Taylor had to use a turntable ladder to try and save them. He managed to get 5 to safety, but tragically the 6th fell and was killed. At the time he recalled in an interview with the BBC that he also didn't have a helmet on!

This deadly blaze happened on a bright, sunny midweek afternoon, on 22 June 1960, and claimed the lives of 11 people and also lead to a change in law. The Office Shops and Railway Premises Act was amended to be brought in to line with the Factories Act, which gave fire brigades the power to inspect stores for fire safety and could give requirements for means of escape, along with making provisions for fighting fire and structural fire separation.

Station Officer, George Taylor‘s funeral took place at the Methodist Church, in Ainsdale, and then came the funeral procession, led by a fire appliance from the Southport Station to Southport Crematorium. On the way the procession went past the Promenade Care Home, and then stopped for a brief time outside Southport Fire and Ambulance Station which was presenting a Guard of Honour, made up from serving fire-fighters at the station, Fire Cadets, and members of the North West Ambulance Service.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends...

________________________

Usfull information.

More information about the Henderson's Department Store Fire can be found on the Fire Brigades Union website:- https://www.fbu.org.uk/history/hender...

Also Press Release issued by MFRS Headquarters:- https://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/media-c...

More information about Southport Fire Station can be found on:- https://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/about/c...

BBC History Page:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/liverpool...

________________________

Video filmed for us by:- VAMPHire.com.

Under UK Press Regulations the family had agreed to press coverage and our presence as requested.