Fire service hero 'chuffed' to receive empire medal honour
Jim's career started at Soho Street fire station in Glasgow, which was said to be one of the busiest in western Europe.He was previously recognised with the firemaster's certificate of congratulations for rescues at a major building collapse and he became an advocate for fire safety, working closely with schools, businesses and the public.After retiring as staff officer to the firemaster, he worked as a civil service security manager in the Scottish government and then as a volunteer librarian with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).It was while there he developed their archive, unearthing logbooks dating back to 1823, wartime records, and personal service documents – many of which are now preserved at the Mitchell Library.Among his other later achievements were supporting Strathclyde University's librarian course, co-authoring the book Tinderbox Heroes and helping to create the Glasgow heritage fire trail. His work was also been instrumental in the creation of Everyday Heroes, a book chronicling the first 30 years of Strathclyde Fire Brigade.
Jim said: "I was so surprised and chuffed to receive this award. I've always been in touch with the fire service in one way or another after I retired as a fire fighter. "I felt compelled to not only document and share my own experiences but those of others in the service. These are stories that should not be forgotten."He was joined in the city chambers by his wife Grace, three sons and four grandchildren. He also thanked also made special mention of Graeme Kirkwood, from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Heritage Museum in Greenock, for helping with his work.The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, praised Jim's dedication and tireless efforts during his career.She said: "His dedication ensures that vital records and experiences are remembered, and future generations can learn from the past, and honour the bravery of those who came before."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
'I found my brother in Australia, just in time to make memories'
Six years ago, Jess Basey-Fisher was holding her mother's ashes when her father, Nicholas, said he needed to tell her revealed that his wife, Jess's mother, Ann, had kept a secret until the day she died. She had given birth before she met him and put the baby boy up for adoption."From the moment I found out, I was determined to find my older brother," says the 53-year-old nurse, who lives in Carleton St Peter in Norfolk. Jess did not have many facts to go on. She knew that the father was someone who Ann had met at a ball at a US airbase in Sculthorpe in who went on to work as a nurse and a midwife, was sent away to London to give that information, Jess managed to track down her brother's birth record from September 1962 on the Ancestry website, after searching for a 15-year period."I knew the surname, and I just had a hunch that she would have called him something like James, and it turned out to be correct," Jess father, Nicholas, a GP, was very supportive of the search but died on a cycling holiday a few months after revealing his wife's secret. 'An incredible moment' Jess contacted a social worker who managed to find James on Facebook in 2021. He had been renamed Alistair Dalgliesh, though the social worker could not tell Jess due to data social worker sent him a message, and he replied with his email address, but there was no further correspondence, and Jess presumed he did not want to be found."I was very anxious because I didn't even know whether he was aware he had been adopted," Jess October, Jess decided to try and contact her brother again, through social workers, and a conversation started."That was an incredible moment for me," Jess says. "And I found out my brother lives in Australia."In an astonishing coincidence, Alistair's adoptive mother, Marjorie, was a nurse and his father, Ken, was a GP - mirroring Jess's had a daughter but were struggling to have another child when they adopted Alistair. They went on to have another biological son, and the family then moved from Kent to Australia when Alistair was three, under the Ten Pound Poms scheme. The siblings arranged to speak on FaceTime and had a conversation for two hours, in which they laughed about how similar they recognised her brother's mannerisms as being very similar to their mother, and told him they shared a passion for music and 62, did not actively search for his birth family but often thought about them over the years."I was really happy to be found," he says, speaking from his home in Queensland. "I had such a great upbringing with amazing parents, and I feel very lucky." Fortunately, Alistair knew from the age of ten that he was adopted, but Jess was worried about telling him that their mother had took the news well, but wishes he could have reassured his biological mother before she died that he had a great life."My only regret is that I didn't get to tell her. All I wanted to do was say, 'It's ok. Don't worry about me," he says. Jess was able to share with her brother that her parents got married on his birth date, six years after he was says the information sent a shiver down his spine."That made me realise that I still meant a lot to her," he says. A month after the siblings first spoke, Alistair called his sister with some news. He had been diagnosed with stage four lung decided to visit him to help him through chemotherapy and arrived in Australia in April to spend five weeks with adoptive mother Marjorie was particularly pleased to meet her. "I just wanted to support him. It was a magical time. He is the most loving person - he gave me a kiss and a hug every morning and night, and the whole family embraced me," Jess says. Alistair is coming to stay with Jess in Norfolk in October, when he will meet his wider says she wishes her mother could have shared her secret before she died."I feel devastated for her and I feel cheated out of knowing Alistair for longer. But we are going to make the most of the time we have left," she says.
Times
2 hours ago
- Times
Are squeaky and wobbly floorboards something to worry about?
Act now to keep your subscription We've tried to contact you several times as we haven't been able to take payment. You must update your payment details via My Account or by clicking update payment details to keep your subscription.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
Gemini weekly horoscope: What your star sign has in store for July 13
OUR much-loved astrologer Meg sadly died in 2023 but her column will be kept alive by her friend and protégé Maggie Innes. Read on to see what's written in the stars for you today. Sign up for the Mystic Meg newsletter. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy GEMINI MAY 22 - JUNE 21 🔵 Read our horoscopes live blog for the latest readings 1 Clinging to friendships or other connections you no longer need is weighing you down; as Saturn spins into reverse, you start a phase of setting yourself free. Your mind is your mighty instrument, as you can think yourself out of situations your heart may have gotten you into. The sun's warmth keeps cash talks from cooling, but do remember why you are choosing a particular money path. Wednesday is your work-it day; you're ready to step up. Sampling brighter clothes and bolder food choices sets Friday apart. LUCKY LINKS A house by water or with "Water" in its name, the family member with the longest name, or numbers that add up to 19. SELF-DISCIPLINE Quick-witted, curious Gemini is usually two steps ahead of other, less forward-facing signs, but as Saturn spins back, try to work through problems methodically rather than rushing in and trusting to chance. Ask for help and accept it when offered. SELF-DIRECTION Saturn stays in reverse for six weeks in your connections zone, then returns to your goal-setting sector until February next year. So, if you know you've dithered over getting some key objectives nailed down, this can be your moment. But ambitions must be yours alone. Fabulous is the home of horoscopes, with weekly updates on what's in store for your star sign as well as daily predictions. You can also use our series of guides to find out everything from which star sign to hook up with for the steamiest sex to what it's like to .
