Fire service Retirement
1993
It was November 1992 and I was due for a routine medical examination because of my age, this was a Fire Service requirement. I knew that this was quite a strict examination and for some years I had suffered with High Blood Pressure I was age 53.
Ten years earlier on a routine examination I had been warned it would be best to cease smoking, I did, as I walked away from the hospital I placed a packet of twenty straight in the nearest litter bin, I was a heavy smoker. This action and more physical exercise kept me in the Fire service for a further ten years. The exercise; I started jogging swimming and later cycling I was improving all the time and eventually ended up taking part in middle distance triathlons consisting of a mile swim in open water, 22 mile cycle ride and ending up with a 6.2 mile run. After completing these events I decided to take the bronze live saving award and later I managed to the award of merit.
December 1992 I had to attend the local hospital for another medical examination and I still had some blood pressure problems, the doctor just asked a few questions. “Do you think it’s time for you to retire? I paused for a few moments, “yes I would be happy with that, thank you.” The doctor had the forms ready and signed them.
On my return to the fire station I informed the station officer who in turn informed all the necessary administration departments and I was taken off the run then placed on light duties immediately. I was quite happy with this situation. I had plenty of part time work in mind.
The days soon passed and it was 14th March 1993, and the watch officer was Sub Officer Pat Wheeler, He informed me that at 0930 I was to report to the Chief Fire Officer Mr. Ian Edwards for my retirement interview,
It was a very friendly interview, the chief officer asked about my plans for the future and how I felt about my time in the Fire Service. We had tea and biscuits together and there were a few stories exchanged about the fire service in general.
Mr. Edwards informed me I would be invited with my wife as one of his guests at the next passing out parade of new recruits. He was good to his word and come the day we had lunch with the chief officer and his other guests.
I returned after the interview to the station via the drill yard, The training school were on a drill session and the officer in charge stopped the drill, they were instructed to fall in. “Fireman Gurr you are invited to inspect the training school recruits” The instructor addressed the training school and mentioned my fire service history, I felt most honored. On my return to the station Sub Officer Wheeler spoke to me, “Mick it’s your last day I want to make this something special for you, you have a batman and chauffeur at your disposal, and if you wish we will have one last combination drill at Bedford, you will be in charge we will have everything out.” “Thank you, right; I will arrange this for this afternoon.”
We never made the drill session with Bedford as just after lunch we had a call out to a road traffic accident out near the M1 motorway at a village named Brogbourough on the A421. A motorcyclist had collided with a lorry and the unfortunate young man with his motorcycle had ended up underneath the lorry. We got to work with jacks and other equipment and had the causality out within a few minutes. He was taken to hospital by the ambulance with moderate injuries; the motorcycle had come off worse. After making everything safe and the road made tidy we returned to the station.
Soon it was time to go home for the last time, on the following Saturday a farewell party had been arraigned and for me, it was a first class do.
First year in the Fire Service as a retained Fireman 13th August 1969
First day in the Fire Service professional Fireman 1st September 1971
Last Day in the Fire Service 14th March 1993
Above My first day in the Fire service L-R Pete Lapworth, Charles Carpenter, Sub.O Norman Barker C. Woodruff Mick Gurr 13th August 1969
Last Day in the Fire Service 14th March 1993
Last Day in the Fire Service 14th March 1993