Princess Royal to honour fallen firefighters at National Memorial Arboretum ceremony

May 14 2008 By Gurdip Thandi

PRINCESS Anne will return to the Midlands next week to unveil a new monument dedicated to firefighters. The Princess Royal will be visiting Alrewas, near Lichfield next Tuesday to unveil the Fire Service Monument at the National Memorial Arboretum.

The monument, "Firefighters Serving Humanity" is granite stone and has been two years in the making.

The unveiling ceremony will be attended by chief fire officers from across the country and the guests of honour will be the families of firefighters who have lost their lives whilst serving.

Gerry Clarkson, chairman of the Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust, said: "The trust is delighted that their patron Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal has agreed to unveil the monument which recognises the dedication and skills of the men and women serving in the Fire and Rescue Service."

Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Ceremonial Squad will attend the event and Lichfield firefighters will act as marshals on the day.

Bob Russell, director of Safer Communities said: "We are extremely proud that this monument is to be sited within the county.

"We hope people from across the country will take the time out to come and visit this new monument, which is dedicated to past present and future firefighters."

For more information about the Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust, visit www.firefightersmemorial.co.uk

Princess Anne’s visit will be her second to Staffordshire this year. In January, she opened the Samuel Johnson Hospital, Lichfield, and the Chase Heritage Trail at Birches Valley, near Rugeley.