This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/southern_counties/6199107.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Village funeral for blast fireman | Village funeral for blast fireman |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of firefighters from across the UK formed a guard of honour at the funeral of one of two firemen killed in an explosion at a fireworks depot. | |
| Geoff Wicker, 49, died alongside 63-year-old Brian Wembridge in the incident on 3 December at Festival fireworks UK, near Lewes, East Sussex. | |
| His coffin was carried on a turntable ladder fire engine as the cortege left Heathfield, where he was based. | |
| It then moved on to the village of Mayfield for the funeral service. | |
| Mr Wicker had lived in Mayfield all his life until he moved to Heathfield eight years ago and had served with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) for 31 years. | Mr Wicker had lived in Mayfield all his life until he moved to Heathfield eight years ago and had served with East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS) for 31 years. |
| Geoff Wicker was among the first on the scene of the fire | |
| He joined in 1975 as a retained firefighter, and during his time at Mayfield fire station rose to become Officer in Charge. | |
| He held the same post at Heathfield fire station after transferring there in 1999. | |
| In addition, Mr Wicker joined the mobilising and communication centre in 1995 alongside his retained firefighter role, and was promoted to Watch Manager last year. | |
| A fire engine following his coffin in the funeral cortege had the officer in charge's seat empty to indicate the loss of a team member. | |
| Fire service staff lined the road outside St Dunstan's Church and a guard of honour was inside the church gates as Mr Wicker's coffin, covered with a Union flag and topped with his fireman's helmet and service medals, passed through. | |
| 'Loving and caring' | |
| The service, led by Father Nigel Prior and supported by the Reverend John Maskell, heard tributes read on behalf of his two daughters, Francesca and Yvette, aged 15 and 17. | |
| In Yvette's address, she told mourners how her father had always said that if he ever had to die young, "he would like to go in service or with my family". | |
| Describing her father as a "hero" and as a "sympathetic, loving and caring" person, she said: "Francesca and I grew up knowing that when he went out on fire calls he may not come back." | |
| A poem read on behalf of his wife Heather, entitled Missing You, contained the line: "We are as one. We remain to carry on life the same." | |
| The service was followed by a private burial in St Dunstan's churchyard. | The service was followed by a private burial in St Dunstan's churchyard. |
| ESFRS staff on duty observed a minute's silence at 1400 GMT. | ESFRS staff on duty observed a minute's silence at 1400 GMT. |
| Hundreds of people turned out for Mr Wembridge's funeral in Crowborough on Tuesday, and many local people lined the streets of the funeral procession for Mr Wicker. | |
| The cause of the fireworks blaze and explosion, in which 12 people were injured, including nine firefighters and a police officer, is under investigation. | The cause of the fireworks blaze and explosion, in which 12 people were injured, including nine firefighters and a police officer, is under investigation. |