Meet the firefighter ending a 101-year old line of duty

Tap to watch a video report by ITV News Meridian's James Dunham

For over a century Hemsley family members have been keeping people safe - fighting fires across Sussex.

At midnight tonight that 101-year old connection to the fire service comes to an end as watch manager David Hemsley completes his final duty. 

His 37-year old career has seen him tackle countless house fires, deal with road traffic accidents and many animal rescues...one of which involved saving a tortoise.

"It's bittersweet moment for us as a family", says David.

"I'm the last in the line of the Hemsley generation in Sussex and with me going there's no other Hemsley's to follow on."

David's father Peter, who served at Wadhurst fire station between 1961 and 1986 said,

"It's not always favoured in the family, with his wife etc, disappearing onto a fire call and not coming back for several hours and facing the dangers. So it's an achievement, well worth doing."

The Hemsley's line of duty

Frederick Hemsley joined the fire service in 1920 Credit:

  • David's grandfather Fredrick C Hemsley served from 1920 to 1951

  • David's father Peter J Hemsley served, 1961 to 1986

  • David's uncle Donald Hemsley served 1949 to 1983 along with his brother Robert

  • David's brother James Hemsley served 1986 to 2008

  • David Hemsley served 1984 to 2021, first at Wadhurst before moving to Burwash fire station

Meridian filmed with David Hemsley in 1995 Credit: ITV Meridian

Asked what's kept David in the job for so long, he says,

"What made me do it for so long? The joy of doing it knowing what you go to is unexpected. For me, it's a bittersweet end knowing I'm leaving that for new adventures. I'm trying not to think I'll miss it a lot but I'm bound to.

"You get a bit of an adrenaline rush and you know when you've had some near experiences but if you pass that onto someone else, your past experiences might save someone in a similar situation."

David hopes his long career, and his family's history with the fire service will inspire others.

  • David's colleagues Denice Henry and Anne Goldstone reflect on his retirement

David says he has 'grand plans' for the future and he'll take pride knowing his family has made a real difference.