Derby's First Ever Fire Prevention Officer Was Hero of the Blitz and 'Doodlebug Alley'

Summary

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The recent death, at the age of 90, of Royston Torrington, of Burnaston, will have brought back memories for countless Derby people who remember him for his long service as Derby's first fire prevention officer. But few, perhaps, will know of his wartime service when he risked his life serving during the Blitz in London and in 'Doodlebug Alley' on the south coast. Pat Parkin looks back over his fascinating career.

Young reporters doing the daily "calls" - dropping in on the police, fire station, ambulance HQ and the DRI casualty department to pick up stories - remember Royston Torrington as a good fire brigade contact.

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Extract

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Derby's First Ever Fire Prevention Officer Was Hero of the Blitz and 'Doodlebug Alley'

But few had any idea of the brave wartime firefighting reputation which Derby's first fire prevention officer rarely mentioned.

His job was to advise the public how not to have a fire and it included passing on information to local reporters on the daily call- outs of the brigade.

So...

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