Royal recognition for volunteer firefighter after 40 years service

Decision to serve inspired by sense of duty to his community

A volunteer firefighter is being honoured by the Queen after four decades protecting his Highland Perthshire community.

Recently retired crew manager Gordon Brown has received the Queen’s Fire Service Medal for 40 years service at Kinloch Rannoch.

Gordon described the award as a “great honour”.

He said: “It was actually my wife who opened the letter.

“She said: ‘You do realise you have been put forward for an award?’

“I wasn’t expecting anything like it – it is a great honour.

“If you ask any volunteer firefighter they will tell you they are not doing it for the glory, they do it for the people who stay in their village.”

Now enjoying his retirement, the garage owner said his decision to serve was inspired by a sense of duty to his local community.

He said: “I have lived here all my life, so I never did it for the glory.

“It was always about doing my bit.” Gordon said his daughter, Rebecca, 23, who lives in Australia, has also decided to register as a volunteer firefighter.

He said: “I’m very proud and so is my dad. He’s 88 now and he thinks it’s great that Rebecca has joined up.”

Gordon’s achievement was welcomed by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Chief Officer Alasdair Hay.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service sits where it does today thanks to the unstinting professionalism and dedication of all of its people,” he said.

“Many of our staff regularly go above and beyond what is expected of them and awards of this calibre only go to show that this dedication is recognised by peers and, indeed, local communities.

“Volunteer firefighters like Gordon play a crucial and selfless role in their communities.

“My congratulations and thanks to Gordon — he is a fully deserving recipient of this honour.”

Colin Grieve, local senior officer for Dundee, Angus and Perth and Kinross, said: “Gordon’s commitment to his community is hugely admirable and he fully deserves this honour.”

I have lived here all my life, so I never did it for the glory. Itwas always about doing my bit. GORDON BROWN

Recently retired crew manager Gordon Brown described the award as “a great honour”.