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Memorial bench unveiled for
Liverpool born firefighter who died at Hillsborough tragedy
FIREFIGHTERS from Merseyside have
travelled to London to unveil a bench they funded in memory of a firefighter who
lost his life at the Hillsborough tragedy.
Liverpool born Francis McAllister was just 27 when he was killed at
Hillsborough, the only serving firefighter to have died in the 1989 disaster.
Having joined Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service
(MFRS) in 1985, the passionate Liverpool FC supporter transferred to London Fire
Brigade and served at Manchester Square Fire Station and Barbican Fire Station
during his short career.
On Monday, October 10 MFRS firefighters stood shoulder-to-shoulder with crews
from London Fire Brigade and members of firefighter McAllister’s family in
paying tribute to Francis at a formal memorial service in Canbury Gardens,
Kingston.
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During the ceremony, held on the date Francis
would have turned 55 and likely retired from service, a bench was unveiled on
the river bank bearing an engraved plaque jointly dedicated by MFRS and London
Fire Brigade.
Steve Prately, Watch Manager at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, raised money
to buy the bench by taking part in the Liverpool Spring 10k and Run For The 96
5k race along with Francis’s cousin, Tony McAllister, who is a serving
firefighter at Old Swan Community Fire Station in Liverpool, and Tony’s
daughter, Alex.
WM Prately said:- "Firefighter Francis
McAllister was a well-loved firefighter, colleague, friend, son and brother who
tragically lost his life at one of the worst sporting tragedies of all time.
We wanted to buy a bench in remembrance of Francis, to commemorate his memory
and legacy as a respected firefighter, family member and friend.
He trained as a firefighter in Merseyside and served in London, and we thought
it was fitting to place the bench along the river bank in Kingston; a place
often visited by his family and close to his brother’s home. It has been an
honour helping raise money to buy a fitting tribute to Francis and help remember
his life alongside his family, friends and colleagues."
MFRS firefighter Tony McAllister said:-
"After a long 27 year fight for justice this finally gives the family a little
bit of closure and time to celebrate Francis’s life and for what he stood for.
He will always be fondly remembered and greatly missed. Many thanks to all who
contributed in making this event happen, a day that will be etched on our
family’s memory for a very long time."
London Fire Brigade Director of Operations
Dave Brown said:- "London Firefighter Francis McAllister went to a
football match like millions of people do and sadly never came home. He served
with the Brigade for four years and his service record states that he was a very
good firefighter. It was a privilege for our crews past and present to
meet with Francis’s family and lay the Brigade’s ceremonial standard at the
unveiling of his bench."
Francis McAllister was a serving London
firefighter when he and 95 others lost their lives at the FA Cup semi final
match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.
New inquests have determined that the 96 victims were unlawfully killed.
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