International Firefighters’ Day is observed on 4 May each year, to coincide with the feast of St Florian the patron saint of all firefighters. The day pays respect to volunteer and career firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
In honour of International Firefighters’ Day 2022 DFES will mark the occasion with a memorial service at the Firefighters’ Memorial Grove in Kings Park. The service will include the reading of the Fallen Firefighters’ Honour Roll which commemorates Western Australian volunteer and career firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The service also provides an opportunity to acknowledge current and past firefighters for their extraordinary commitment, exceptional courage and selfless pledge to serve their community.
All current and retired DFES personnel, volunteers, families and friends are invited to attend the service to remember and pay their respects, however please note RSVP for all attendees is essential.
Date: Sunday 1 May
Time: 10 am arrival for 10.15am service
Venue: Firefighters’ Memorial Grove, Forrest Drive, Kings Park
Dress: Dress uniform with full sized medals or business attire
RSVP: eventsandawards@dfes.wa.gov.au by Friday 22 April
For anyone unable to attend the Memorial Service, it will also be livestreamed at dfes.wa.gov.au/iffd.
DFES will continue to monitor State Government COVID-19 advice and requirements for events, and update guests of any impacts on the service. In accordance with State Government requirements and health advice, all attendees will be required to wear a mask and scan in using the SafeWA app or on the manual registers available.
On 23 July 2000, the Firefighters’ Memorial Grove in Kings Park was unveiled to mark the centenary of fire services in Western Australia and honour the contribution of career and volunteer firefighters in protecting our State.
Located Forrest Drive in Kings Park, the memorial includes a granite arc representing the base of a burnt out tree and a ten tonne rock symbolising a flame, which reflects the impact and role of fire.
The memorial also includes an impressive life size bronze casting of two firefighters, a low granite wall containing a commemorative script and a landscaped pathway, which combines to create a connection between the existing and new elements within the Grove.
The purpose of the two statues is not only to recognise the contribution of all firefighters both past and present, but also to display the deep respect and gratitude that the community holds for them.
The statues also represent the respect and admiration that firefighters hold for each other, specifically the support that they provide each other while facing some of the most challenging and hazardous environments.
May the Firefighters’ Memorial Grove become a place of contemplation, a place to reflect on cherished memories and a place that celebrates the ongoing dedication of our valued firefighters now and into the future.
In memory of career and volunteer firefighters who have lost their lives serving the community.
Western Australia Career Fire and Rescue Service
Wright (William) Lingard – 29 December 1916
Donald Hunter – 23 January 1950
Arthur Houssemayne du Boulay – 26 March 1956
William (Ray) Murphy – 3 December 1974
Herbert (Garry) Miller – 27 March 1975
Colin Smith – 10 September 1983
Leonard (Leo) Leyland – 5 August 1986
Kenneth (Laurie) Rose – 26 February 1995
John (Jake) O'Callaghan – 17 January 1995
Ian (Gary) Peat – 30 August 1997
Craig Brown – 6 June 2002
Ronald Wilson – 7 March 2003
Ian Oliver – 22 January 2006
Ian Ding – 11 October 2006
Lance Davey – 18 September 2009
Robert Reed – 29 October 2009
Todd Liddington – 23 April 2011
Nerelle (Shona) McCulloch – 20 October 2011
Gregory Nicolay – 16 July 2012
Grant Cowper – 18 September 2012
Mark Claffey – 14 October 2012
Maurie Parker – 18 June 2015
Kevin Corbey – 30 July 2015
Kimberley (Kim) Maldon – 3 March 2016
Stephen McDonald – 20 October 2016
Steven Watson – 21 April 2017
David Parkin – 5 October 2019
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service
Frederick Maller – 29 January 1908
Charles White – 1 April 1923
Thomas Fry – 29 December 1955
Graham Ennor – 16 March 1980
John Wake – 28 November 1993
Glen Hoffman – 12 February 1996
Bush Fire Service of Western Australia
Joseph Perks – 16 March 1950
Leslie Eyden – 13 March 1957
James Pound – 14 January 1967
Ernest White – 6 November 1967
Clifford Rogers – 21 February 1978
Edna McLaren – 4 April 1978
Colin McLean – 11 August 1984
Raymond Smith – 23 January 1986
Lionel Armstrong – 5 March 1987
John Giacomelli – 17 December 1987
Murray Pfennig – 28 December 1989
James Marshall – 31 January 1991
Luiji (Louie) Scolari – 15 December 1993
Mervyn Ronan – 5 November 1995
Paul Robinson – 22 January 1996
Albert (Jim) Lees – 30 June 1996
Colin Diprose – 16 December 1997
John Sobczyk – 28 March 1988
Richard Barrett-Lennard – 10 May 2000
Robert Sprigg – 30 December 2001
Craig Sandy – 26 January 2003
Charles (Bill) Baldock – 25 February 2004
Ronald McBride – 11 October 2006
Kym (Freddy) Curnow - 17 November 2015
John (Ross) Fenwick – 11 January 2016
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
Johan Hilliger – 2 January 1958
Robert Johnston – 2 January 1958
George (Snow) McCorkill – 2 January 1958
John Wiltshire-Butler – 2 January 1958
Witold (Bill) Bielianczuk – 3 July 1962
Arthur Cleveland – 8 January 1963
Alfred (Fred) Jaschke – 8 January 1963
Luigi Falcone – 10 January 1967
John Rate – 23 December 1969
Leonard Hughan – 4 April 1978
Wendy Bearfoot – 1 November 2012
