TWO retired and respected local firefighters, who helped tackle what was described as one of the largest-ever blazes in the North West, have died.
Sub-officer Bob Dearden and fireman Dennis Bromley were among 40 crews which fought a fierce blaze which destroyed Texas Mill, Ashton, in October 1971 claiming the life of fireman Norman Nolan and badly injuring Bill Partington, a sub-officer at Mossley.
Dennis was on a turntable ladder and helped rescue a fireman and mill worker who had both been overcome with smoke.
And Bob’s wife Judith recalled going to the mill and the horror of watching her husband at the top of another turntable ladder dousing the flames.
It had such a profound effect she never went to another blaze her husband was tackling.
Bob, who lived in Carrbrook, spent more than 28 years in the fire service, joining Lancashire County in 1966 and later serving for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) at Ashton, Heywood and Stalybridge.
Colleague Steve Dyer, who went on to become a divisional fire officer, revealed Bob’s career was almost over before it began.
In 1967, Bob sustained serious burns to his hands tackling a roof blaze at the Singer sewing machine factory in Audenshaw and spent one year on sick leave.
Steve added he and Bob tackled many big blazes other than Texas Mill.
They were the first crew to attend the Guide Bridge rail disaster which claimed two lives and injured 13 people.
There was also the horrific Chemstar explosion in Carrbrook village in 1981, which also had a fatality, and other big fires at Tudor Mill, Portland Basin, along with Ram, Gordon and Park mills.
But on a lighter note, Steve recalled how he and Bob were called to Ashton Town Hall each year with their turntable ladder to bring Father Christmas down from the roof to the delight of the assembled crowd.
Steve added: “Bob spent 95 per cent of his career looking after the people of Tameside and in particular Stalybridge.
“He was 6ft 4in and was an athletically built fireman who could easily have been a member of the Coldstream Guards.
“He was cool and calm, a role model and everything a fireman should be. He was a cracking lad, a man’s man.
“While he could be mischievous, he knew his role which was to save lives, protect property and carry out humanitarian work.”
Bob, who died aged 74, after a short illness, pursued his love of motorbikes in his retirement, owning three including a boom trike with Judith his pillion passenger.
He also had a soft top sports car and splashed out on a hot tub.
Bob, who leaves children Tracey and Glen, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, had a fire appliance escort his funeral cortege from his home in Carrbrook past Stalybridge Fire Station where officers, present and past, formed a guard of honour.
The funeral service was at Oldham Unitarian Church before committal at Dukinfield Crematorium.
Dennis’ funeral cortege stopped at Mossley Fire Station where about 30 current firefighters and former colleagues paid their respects.
It then proceeded to St John’s Church for a service before burial at Mossley Cemetery.
Dennis, who died aged 79 following a lengthy period of ill health, joined Lancashire County in 1964 and served later with GMFRS at Ashton and Mossley.
He lived in Mossley throughout his life and he and wife Judith, who died last year, were parishioners at St John’s Church.
Dennis was also a musician and member of Mossley St John’s Band as well as being a keen gardener.
He leaves a son, daughter and four grandchildren.
Dennis’ former colleague Steve Swallow said: “I had known Dennis from being a young lad and I was his station commander at Mossley.
“Dennis’ death is a sad loss to the fire service and its community. He was involved in local events and raised money for firefighters’ charities.”
Steve Dyer, who also worked with Dennis, added: “He was a stalwart, a public servant who cared for the public.
“We trained for all types of incidents and, when the bell sounded, men like Dennis stepped up to the plate.”