CHARLIE IS A REAL TRAIL BLAZER
Former firefighter is honoured in home
A 99-year-old retired fireman received a “special boost” from frontline heroes to help him get through his days in lockdown.
Charles Gallacher moved from his house in Strathaven into Whitehills Care Home just weeks before lockdown was announced and has spent the last 12 weeks in isolation in his bedroom.
But thanks to loving family members, he got the thumbs up from kind-hearted firefighters who wanted to spread some cheer after hearing of his remarkable history. Son-in-law, Ian Thomson, told the News: “Charlie’s been about that long that everyone locally knows him.
“People had been asking how he was and some were frightened to ask due to the fact the care home has had 23 deaths, but he’s been absolutely brilliant even though he’s been in his room since March. “He’s a positive, determined character and it was reluctantly that he decided to go in to the care home. “He lost his wife, Jean 35 years ago, but was very capable of looking after himself.” Born and bred in Glasgow, Charlie joined the army aged 19 and left after World War II in March 1946, after which he joined the fire service that June. The father of four daughters, he served 30 years with the fire service and fought multiple historic fires.
Out on his bike one day, Ian took the opportunity to pop in to the fire station in Newmilns and explained Charlie’s exceptional history as a firefighter.
At that point, three firemen put on their uniforms and brought the fire engine out to give Charlie the thumbs up.
Ian added: “It was a special boost for him.
“Charlie is an ex-army man, he was in the war and was a station officer with the fire brigade in Glasgow.
“He attended some truly tragic fires, like the one in Cheapside Street where 19 firemen died. And the James Watt fire, where 22 people were killed, and the Kilbirnie Street fire that killed seven firemen.
“All the big major disasters in the area, he was at them all helping out. He’s a true hero with a great history – he’s some character.”
But one call-out almost cost Charles his life and resulted in him breaking almost every bone in his body.
That was at the St Rollox works in Springburn where Charlie fell through the roof – but he didn’t fall to the ground, rather he was suspended by his arms 30-40ft in the air.
“How he never died is a complete miracle,” said Ian.
“He survived that and he’ll survive this. He’s a determined man, nothing will put him down.”
After the accident, Charles went into fire prevention before retiring in 1976.
With eight grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild, Charles is desperate to see his family again.
Ian added: “Fortunately his bedroom is on the ground floor so we are all able to wave at him through the window and have a wee blether.
“So many people want to see him and I’m sure he can’t wait to get out and about again when it is safe to do so.”
All the major disasters in the area, he was at them all helping out. He’s some character...