Veteran taken on trip down memory lane at his old fire station

A veteran was taken on a trip down memory lane on a special visit to one of the fire stations he served at more than seventy years ago.

George Simms, 96, visited Whitehill Community Fire Station in Stockport, where he ended his fire service career in 1973.

To mark the occasion, fire engines, uniforms and photographs from George’s era in the service were brought to the station for the visit, courtesy of Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum.

During the 25 years George served his community as a firefighter he tackled a number of incidents and in 1964 was commended by Stockport Corporation for an incident where he rescued a woman from a house fire.

George was welcome to Whitehill by Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Leon Parkes, Station Manager Mat Rooney and Green Watch from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).

He was accompanied by his son Alan and friend Ken Brotherhood.

ACFO Parkes said: "Today has been wonderful for everyone involved. Inviting George back to the station he served at for many years has been a very special moment for both him and his family.

"It was our pleasure to welcome him back and give him a chance to look at how the Service has developed over the last 70 years.

"It was especially nice to be able to bring some equipment and vehicles that he would have used all that time ago for him to see."