Participated in my first 'Guard of Honour' as a member of the fire brigade. The third officer, Andrew Grey, from our 'brother' brigade in the next town tragically was drowned last week attempting to navigate a bar in his small boat when it was swamped and capsized. What makes it worse was it was his son's 16th birthday, his sons made it, he didn't.
We and the Council workers (he worked for the municipality) and his football club were asked by the family to line the route from the church to the grave. Lots of blue shirts, and the top brass of the TFS turned out too, dress uniforms all around.
Very sad, but the funeral was packed.
I didn't know him very well, but had been on some training nights when our two brigades trained together, and on a controlled burn for fuel reduction. He was very accepting of women in the fire service and very helpful to a newbie. Non judgemental and a great sense of humour. Younger than me, gone too soon.
Take care people.