Chester: Plaque unveiled marking Blitz firefighter's sacrifice

Cyril George Dutton volunteered as a firefighter during the Second World War. He lived on St Anne Street, Chester, opposite where the rebuilt fire station stands today. In 1940, Chester was hit by 168 bombs on November 28th during an air raid. Though Cyril was off duty at the time, he volunteered to assist in fighting a fire at the Commercial Hall on Foregate Street while bombing was still ongoing.

When the masonry collapsed, Cyril was seriously injured along with fellow firefighter John Haynes. Fm Haynes recovered from his injuries, while Cyril tragically died at the Chester Royal Infirmary on November 29, 1940.

The Lord Mayor opened the ceremony at Chester Town Hall. This was followed by an address from the Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack, prayers, and a eulogy delivered by Toby Jones, retired watch manager of Chester fire station.

The funeral procession for Cyril Dutton. (Image: Fire Brigades Union)

Attendees walked to Foregate Street for the unveiling of the new Red Plaque in Cyril Dutton’s honour.

The plaque is part of the Red Plaque project, run by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and funded by the Firefighters 100 Lottery. The scheme creates memorials for firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty. Red Plaques can be found across the UK, near the locations where firefighters died while protecting their communities.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack said:

"It is our duty to remember those who came before us and gave their lives to protect others. Our union is committed to honouring every fallen firefighter as part of our Red Plaque scheme. These commemorations bring together serving and retired firefighters with the families and communities of those who have died in the line of duty.

"We are proud to unveil a plaque in memory of Cyril Dutton today, whose dedication and bravery is a vital part of the history of our service. We will always remember his sacrifice."