David Morris

David Morris

David A Morris lost his life in the line of duty on the 6th September 1993, alongside his colleague John Davies. Their Red Plaque was presented on the 9th July 2021.

David was killed whilst fighting a fire at Hereford’s Sun Valley poultry plant at Grandstand Road, Hereford, which involved 130 firefighters, using 23 pumping appliances.

As a wholetime firefighter for the Blue Watch at Hereford Fire Station, David had been in the service for 11 years when he responded to the fire which started in a unit for defrosting meat within the factory. Insulation panels in the factory ceiling meant that smoke and flames were unnoticed travelling through the roof space and collapsed the ceilings. Alongside his colleague John Davies, David never made it out of the factory.

Their Red Plaque was presented on the 9th July 2021 at Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum which is on the boundary of the two stations (Leominster and Hereford) where David and John were stationed and its position at an arboretum was deemed fitting as it is in itself a place of remembrance. An additional permanent tribute in the form of a lead plaque was placed in their honour at the Hereford Cathedral in the Lady Arbour Garden on 13th May 2023 for the 30th anniversary. Students from Hereford’s NMITE University worked alongside the lead craftsmen on the project to create this fitting tribute, designed by Hereford Firefighters.

Dignitaries including His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Herefordshire and the High Sherriff of Herefordshire will be attending, alongside the Chief Fire Officer and members of Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority.

Jon Pryce Chief Fire Officer & Chief Executive for Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service said following the service;

“David and John made the ultimate sacrifice while performing the duties that firefighters have to carry out every day. I cannot imagine what impact losing their loved ones has on those left behind.

“Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service has not forgotten David and John and I know we never will,”

Retired firefighter Shane Jones, who served with John and David at the Sun Valley fire, added his recollections of the day, remembering how crews from Ewyas Harold and Eardisley, several of whom were present at Queenswood, battled bravely but in vain to save the duo’s lives.

“It was a very long day but I went home at the end of it,” he said. “Two of my friends and colleagues didn’t.”

David is fondly remembered by his family, former colleagues, and brothers and sisters in the FBU, with a huge congregation gathering to pay tribute. David’s son Jamie is now a Retained firefighter at Hereford Fire Station.

Below are memories added by those who knew David Morris or had a story that they wish to share with you. If you have a tribute for David Morris that you wish to add, please include your memory below.

Please help support our Firefighters with the Firefighters 100 Lottery, a weekly online lottery created to support firefighters, their bereaved families and to honour the bravery and sacrifice of firefighters killed in the line of duty. With your help we can have schemes such as the Red Plaque Project for memorials to those lives lost.

Learn about the history of the Red Plaque Project and discover other Firefighters that have also received Red Plaques.


Photo credits: John Harris

Related John Davies
[ jpeg,jpg,png Max 5Mb ]
Your email has been verified successfully