Closure, at last, for victims of Gillingham fire tragedy

Families of the victims of a tragic fire in Gillingham Park in 1929 gathered there today to witness the unveiling of a memorial to the tragedy.

Six firemen and nine cadets perished in front of a crowd of hundreds at the Gillingham Park Fete when a traditional display by the firemen went horribly wrong after the fire was lit prematurely.

The memorial was funded by Medway Council after a campaign by the relative of one of the cadets, Lori Oschefski, who lives in Canada.

Proudly, and emotionally, Lori stood beside the Mayor of Medway, Councillor Ted Baker, as they unveiled the memorial at the Park Avenue entrance to Gillingham Park.

The ceremony began with a parade by members of the Kent Fire & Rescue service, Medway Towns Sea Cadets, 5th Gillingham Scouts and Chatham Royal Naval Association, with a salute taken by the Mayor.

Cllr Baker then said a few words before Lori’s passionate speech, talking about all the victims and their incredible stories.

It followed a private service for relatives at Woodlands Road Cemetery, led by Reverend Jonathan Jennings, the Vicar of St Augustine’s Church.

Lori launched the campaign last Spring, with a Facebook group, petition and website, and it soon caught the attention of the local media.

Medway Council was planning to renovate Gillingham Park to mimic its Edwardian glory, and approved some of the funding to be used for the memorial which was unveiled today.

The lives lost on 11th July 1929

The Children

Scout Reginald Henry Lewis Barrett, 13
Cadet David Stanley Brunning, 12
Cadet Eric Edward Cheesman,12
Leslie George Neale, 13
Cadet Leonard Charles Searles, 10
Cadet & Scout Ivor Douglas Weston Sinden, 11
Scout William Herbert Jack Spinks, 13
Robert Dennis Usher, 14
Scout Leonard Gordon Winn, 13

The Men

Fireman Francis Bull Cokayne, 53
Royal George Mitchell, 37
Fireman Albert Joseph Nicholls, 56
Fireman Arthur John Tabrett, 45
Petty Officer John Thomas Nutton, 37
Frederick Arthur Worrall, 30

It couldn’t have happened without…

The Mayor and Mayoress of Medway, Councillor Ted and Mrs Sylvia Baker

Medway Council

Christopher Valdus, Greenspace Development Manager, Medway Council

Clare Lanes, Greenspace Development Officer, Medway Council

Susan Harding, Senior Events Officer, Medway Council

Lori Oschefski, Reasearcher & Campaign Leader. Her research of, and commitment to, this historical event and subsequent campaigning for recognition of the victims and the placement of a memorial has been instrumental in bringing to fruition today’s event.

Elaine Nutton, Event Planner & Family Coordinator, Niece of John Thomas Nutton. Special thanks for all her hard work and commitment in making this day possible.

The family members of the victims for their support and contributions.

And also sincere thanks to the following

North Kent Group Kent Fire & Rescue Service
The 5th Gillingham Scouts
Kent Family History Society Medway Branch
Gillingham Library
John Sullican
Colin Haggart
Mark Phillips
John Meakins
Brent Wigley
David Lawrence
Ian Spreadborough
Alan William Collins
Hazel Smith (Plewis family)The Kent Fire & Rescue Service Museum
Medway Towns Sea Cadets Unit
Fire Service Preservation Group
Reverent Jonathan Jennings
Royal Engineers Museum
Cancer Research UK Volunteers
Bill Wigley
Geoff Gillion
Christine Sandman
Robert Wilkinson
Philip MacDougall
Gayle Oschefski
Linda Bridge
Chris Ford