Funeral of Warwickshire firefighter John Averis
Today (Friday 30 November) marks the first funeral of the four firefighters who perished in the warehouse blaze at Atherstone-on-Stour earlier this month.
The funeral of John Averis, 27, of Tredington will be taking place at St Gregory’s Church, Tredington at 11.00am.
The cortege will be leaving Shipston Fire Station at 10.30am and will join mourners at the church for 11.00am.
John served Stratford Fire Station over three years ago and served as a retained firefighter.
His family have fondly remembered John’s ’cheeky, mischievous side’ allied to a ‘hard-working and conscientious nature’; colleagues and fire chiefs have paid tribute to John’s courage and dedication to the task of protecting his community.
County Fire Officer, William Brown said: “I am deeply proud to work alongside many men and women who share John’s selfless courage and value the safety of those within their communities, even people whom they have never met, ahead of their own.”
Further funerals for the other three firefighters who lost their lives will be taking place next week.
For further details of the Book of Condolence and fund for the families, please visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/FireAndRescue