On Wednesday 22nd April 2026 a Memorial Service took place at St Stephens Church, Saltash to recognise 5 Saltash Firemen who died during World War 2.
On the night of 21st April 1941, the crew of the Saltash Auxiliary Fire Service crossed the Tamar to help extinguish fires caused by German bombing. Their vehicle struck a bomb which exploded, killing all six members of the crew.
The men who died that night were Francis J Brooking, Bernard Jasper, Stanley R Crapp, John R H Stanlake, Alfred J Crapp, and Leslie G Tibbs. The deceased were subsequently interred side-by-side in the graveyard at St Stephens.
However, several of the graves had no formal gravestones. Neil Stanlake, a descendant of one of the firemen, and a Saltash boy himself conceived a project to refurbish the graves. Neil raised the money and now new gravestones have been installed and an interpretation board erected nearby. Neil had support from a large number of individuals and organisations, including Sue Hooper MBE, President of Saltash OCS.
The Memorial Service, marking the 85th anniversary of the tragedy was attended by the families of the firemen, residents of Saltash, and a large number of dignitaries. Those attending included Kathryn Billing, Chief Fire Officer for Cornwall; Right Reverend James Grier, Bishop of Plymouth; High Sheriff of Cornwall; representative of Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall; Chief Constable; Mayors of Saltash, and Plymouth.
The project was supported by Saltash OCS, and the Federation, who were fully represented at the Service.