Dear Editor,
I would like to make a recommendation to the National Heroes Day Awards Committee that Victor J Walsh be honoured posthumously with the Medal of Bravery for serving in the Jamaica Fire Brigade in 1970s.
In the turbulent second half of the 1970s, Walsh was attached to the Trench Town Fire Brigade Station on Spanish Town Road. In 1976, when a call was received that a fire was raging in Trench Town, a team went to the so-called fire scene. They came under heavy gunfire from gunmen who were lying in ambush. The crew had to retreat.
Victor was able to "duck" below the dashboard using the door mirror of the fire truck to make his escape. He had a crew of six firemen with him. He was able to return to base, but there was damage to the fire engine. All seven members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade returned to base unscratched because of Walsh's quick thinking and act of bravery.
This is why I recommend him for a posthumous award for bravery and gallantry. I trust that his wife will collect his award National Heroes Day.
Victor died on June 30, 2015 and was buried August 4, 2015 in the Dovecot Memorial Park.
This story was recounted by Headley Shaw, a fireman and colleague who was attached to the Trench Town Fire Station in 1976 in his tribute.
Joseph M Cornwall Sr, JP
Managing Director/CEO
House of Tranquillity Funeral Home Ltd
Victor J Walsh for medal of bravery
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I would like to make a recommendation to the National Heroes Day Awards Committee that Victor J Walsh be honoured posthumously with the Medal of Bravery for serving in the Jamaica Fire Brigade in 1970s.
In the turbulent second half of the 1970s, Walsh was attached to the Trench Town Fire Brigade Station on Spanish Town Road. In 1976, when a call was received that a fire was raging in Trench Town, a team went to the so-called fire scene. They came under heavy gunfire from gunmen who were lying in ambush. The crew had to retreat.
Victor was able to "duck" below the dashboard using the door mirror of the fire truck to make his escape. He had a crew of six firemen with him. He was able to return to base, but there was damage to the fire engine. All seven members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade returned to base unscratched because of Walsh's quick thinking and act of bravery.
This is why I recommend him for a posthumous award for bravery and gallantry. I trust that his wife will collect his award National Heroes Day.
Victor died on June 30, 2015 and was buried August 4, 2015 in the Dovecot Memorial Park.
This story was recounted by Headley Shaw, a fireman and colleague who was attached to the Trench Town Fire Station in 1976 in his tribute.
Joseph M Cornwall Sr, JP
Managing Director/CEO
House of Tranquillity Funeral Home Ltd
Victor J Walsh for medal of bravery
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