Last updated: 09/07/2018, 6:17 PM

Gunn-ing for a fire brigade family tradition

08/12/2015 00:00
London-wide
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A near 50-year family connection continued recently when 16-year-old Owen joined as a fire cadet and became the third generation of the Gunn family to be associated with the Brigade and pictured in the same spot.

Back in 1966, Owen's grandfather, Colin Gunn, became a firefighter and posed for a photograph outside Southwark Training Centre on the day of his pass out ceremony.

His son, Crew Manager Nick Gunn, who is currently based at Romford Fire Station, joined in 1988 and had his photograph taken in exactly the same place.

Colin retired in 1991, however, for a few years both father and son served in the Brigade at the same time.

Three generations of firefighters

Gunn family: Left to right is Colin Gunn in 1966, Nick Gunn in 1988 and Owen Gunn in 2015.


When Owen joined the Brigade as a fire cadet, his father, Nick, arranged to take a photograph of his son standing in the same place.

Nick said: "Quite a lot has changed over the years. Fortunately, a metal cover is still visible on the ground where I had my photo taken 28 years ago.

"My Mum was so pleased to see photos of her husband, son and grandson all wearing their Brigade uniform standing on the same spot."

Fire Cadets

Fire Cadets is a free, nationally recognised programme that offers young people, between the ages of 14 and 17, the opportunity to gain a credible qualification while learning firefighting techniques and safety advice.