London Fire Brigade’s Oldest Hero Honoured at 105
London Fire Brigade paid tribute to its oldest retired firefighter, John “Jack” Corbett, with a special presentation at his Essex care home. Jack was 105 and believed to be the oldest living former firefighter in the world. The event marked the Brigade’s 150th anniversary celebrations.
Blitz Hero Dies Two Weeks Later
Tragically, Jack passed away peacefully in his sleep just two weeks after the tribute. Born in Woking in 1910, the Brigade was only 44 years old at his birth, showing the deep roots of his connection to London’s firefighting history. Family, friends, and senior London Fire Brigade officials, including Deputy Assistant Commissioner Allen Perez, attended the ceremony.
From Glass Fitter to Firefighter on the Frontline
Jack left school at 14 and moved to London in 1932 as a glass fitter. When World War II erupted, he joined the London Auxiliary Fire Service, stationed at Clerkenwell Fire Station. He was tasked with protecting St Paul’s Cathedral during the brutal Luftwaffe raids. Jack narrowly escaped a bomb that hit a building next to the station.
“He was and still is a firefighter through and through,”
said his daughter, Pamela Shrimpton. “He had a real devotion to duty and was proud to wear his uniform. Though he rarely spoke about those harsh Blitz nights, he always reminded us how lucky we were to survive.”
Blitz Changed Public Opinion on Firefighters
Before the war, firefighters were unfairly seen as ‘army dodgers’. The bombings in 1940 shifted public opinion, painting them as true heroes with “grimy faces.” Jack officially joined the Brigade as a professional firefighter in 1941, just before brigades were nationalised that same year.
Post-war, Jack served at Fortis Green and Hornsey Fire Stations before retiring in 1965. During his career, he rose through the ranks from Fireman to Section Leader. He lived through 14 different Chief Fire Officers and Commissioners, spanning from the age of horse-drawn engines and brass helmets to modern fire equipment.
Legacy of Dedication and Service
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Allen Perez said,
“It’s an honour to meet someone like Jack, who played a vital part in our history during the Blitz. Today’s firefighters follow in his footsteps with the same commitment to protect London’s people.”
The Brigade also took a moment to remember all firefighters who gave their lives over the past 150 years of service. Jack’s story is a powerful reminder of the bravery and dedication behind the London Fire Brigade’s long, heroic history.
