Remembrance Day tribute sees poppies appear on West Sussex fire engines

Poppies and a poignant silhouette of First World War soldiers have been applied to the locker doors on a number of the service’s fire engines to mark Armistice Day on November 11.

The graphics will remain in place on the appliances throughout October and November.

Fire engines based at Chichester, Crawley, Horsham and Worthing have been fitted with the new graphics.

Janet Duncton, chairman of West Sussex County Council, said: “Just like the poignant Tommy silhouettes that have appeared in many of our towns and villages across the county in recent years, this is a wonderful tribute to those who gave up their lives so that we could live ours today.

“The fire and rescue service, or the fire brigade as it would have been in the early part of the 20th Century, experienced great turmoil, as many of its ranks were depleted as people went off to the front, while those who stepped up in their place had to learn exceptionally quickly in the face of war.

“I know that many of our fire crews form a key part of their communities’ Remembrance Sunday parades and services, and so I think this is a wonderful addition to our fire engines, that will remind everyone who sees them that we will remember.”

Chief Fire Officer, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, said: “I was so proud when I saw the first of our fire engines return this week sporting its new Remembrance Day tribute.

“With Remembrance Day services being scaled back this year in the wake of COVID-19, we felt it was more appropriate than ever that we pay tribute to those family members who gave up their lives for our freedoms.”

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