Ripon fire fighter Howard Marshall has received a 30-year long service award.
Howard joined Ripon Fire Station as an On call Fire fighter on 19 July 1982 and has enjoyed the challenges and rewards from the variety of experiences spanning his 30 years of loyal service given to his local community and North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service.
Howard recalls many milestones throughout this time from incidents over the three decades which included large fires at Yorkshire Timber, Ripon Minster and Harrogate Conference Centre where he accompanied the Chief Fire Officer (Eric Clarke) in Breathing Apparatus on a tour of the aftermath of the serious fire.
Howard recalls an early incident in his career where he attended a serious house fire, which was his next door neighbour’s house!
Howard said:
I could hear strange noises from next door which sounded like collapsing masonry, on investigating I could smell fire so I called 999, I knew the neighbours were away and asked if Ripon 2 would be mobilised.
On confirmation I was on my bike and off to the Station passing the First appliance on route
Fortunately the damage was limited due to the quick response and intervention.
Howard is a well recognised and larger than life character in Ripon who has been involved in many community activities and sports over the years. He has recently been involved with the historical St Wilfred’s procession through the streets of Ripon where he represents the Fire Service.
Howard was congratulated on his achievements by GM Austwick and SM Gregory and was presented with a celebratory bottle of Champagne from his colleagues at Ripon.
This brings back memories of Ripon Fire Station in days gone by. My father Tom Cooper was stationed at Ripon in 1956 as a leading fireman and again in 1958 as Sub Officer. Pay day was Thursday which coincided with Market Day, so during the holidays Mum would bring us on the bus from Harrogate, collect the money off Dad and take us straight to the market to add to her collection of horse-brasses.
The station had a pole which I was allowed to slide down – I’m in my 60’s now so those days are long gone !!
As a family we emigrated to Australia in 1964 but Dad’s memories of serving in the West Yorkshire Fire Service from 1948 – 1964 stayed with him for the rest of his life.
I live in New Jersey, USA, but wherever I am, firefighters the world over get the respect and admiration of myself and my wife and a wave as the engines go by. Congratulations Mr. Marshall and regards to all members of Harrogate, Ripon, Wetherby and Tadcaster stations, places my father served in.
Paul Cooper