Plaque unveiled for Penzance firefighter killed by World War bomb
Jack Michell lost his life whilst on duty on 8 of June 1941
A commemorative plaque has been unveiled to mark the sacrifice of a Penzance firefighter.
Jack Michell was killed whilst on duty on 8 June 1941, when a delayed action bomb exploded in the backyard of a house in the next street to where he was working.
82 years later, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is honouring his memory with a red plaque funded by the Firefighters 100 Lottery.
Val Hampshire, Executive Council member for the South West said: "This moving tribute will sit proudly in Penzance, as a place for all to remember his brave sacrifice. Thank you to everyone who has paid their respects on this day. Together we will ensure that Jack Michell is never forgotten."
Mr Michell was born in Penzance in 1905, and worked at the family’s jeweller business. He was married with two children and volunteered as part of the Auxiliary Fire Service.
In June 1941, he volunteered to go to Plymouth, which had been heavily bombed. He worked there for three days, before returning to Penzance where he was advised to have an evening off. Instead, he decided to answer the call to protect his town and was killed on duty that night by an exploding bomb.
David Carlisle, a retired Station Commander at Penzance Fire Station, was part of a team that researched the background of the plaque and Mr Michell: "We found out about Jack purely by chance.
"During COVID we undertook a tour of the local cemetery. In Penzance there's over 100 Commonwealth war graves in the cemetery and by chance we came across the grave of Jack Michell.
"We look forward to remember his bravery and the contribution and I think we'll do so in the future by inspiring us in what we can do as people when things are hard and difficult. So the plaque will inspire as well as remind us of the past."
John Navin, Cornwall Watch Manager said: "I am proud to have played a part in ensuring that the bravery and sacrifice of Firefighter Jack Michell is remembered through the striking Red Plaque placed in his name.
"All of us involved in this project hope that his family, now and in the future, will be able to look at this plaque and be proud that his service and sacrifice will never be forgotten by future generations of firefighters."
The Red Plaque scheme was set up during the FBU's centenary with the aim of establishing memorials to firefighters who have died in the line of duty.