Some treasured Photos of the Funeral

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A tribute paid by George W. Moore (Senior Divisional Officer)

We miss you Wesley. You were 35 years with us in the Fire Brigade.  You were there 24 hours per day, seven days per week and during that time you attended more fires than most.  There is nothing you liked better than the challenge of a good fire.  As a young District Officer in the early 60s responsible for Lisburn Station I learnt a lot from you about the art of fire-fighting.  At a smoky job you were difficult to stay with.  You didn't really believe in wearing a BA did you?  You remember that bedroom job at the Plantation when we took the jet up the staircase, well I must confess you beat me then.  You stayed in and I had to come out.  Of course Wes we really should have been wearing BA.  You certainly deserve that British Empire Medal you were awarded by Her Majesty the Queen in the New Year's Honours List in 1978.

The Lisburn Section miss you Wesley.  Oh I know you ruled with a rod of iron but they did appreciate your leadership.  You have been their Sub-Officer for the past 23 years.  Lf Cecil Dougherty as driver of the pump misses you in the OIC seat.  Yes you give him some stick, especially when he took the wrong turn, but oh how he misses you now.

We miss you here in HQ Wes.  You were with us almost 25 years.  As I write this the siren has just sounded.  We miss seeing you run down the yard, jumping on your bicycle and disappearing down the rear ramp on your way to the fire station.  They say you were a hard man but oh so human, so obliging, so willing.  The errands of mercy you ran, the good deeds you did for each of us we will never forget.

An extract from the tribute to Sub Officer Wesley Orr November 1978.