Meet Chas McGill, the UK’s longest serving member of the fire service. Chas is the subject of a new biography by Alan Titheridge, author of The Heartbeat of Hythe, and it’s been published by Ceratopia Books.

 

To give you a flavour of what it’s all about, here’s a review written by Deborah Beaton of the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service:

 

Chas - A Lifetime Fighting Fire 

Our Service Volunteer Chas McGill MBE, one of the country’s longest-serving firefighters, has just added the title of author to his list of achievements. The biography, appropriately titled A Lifetime Fighting Fire, has been a labour of love for Chas, detailing his entire career.

 

The book is dedicated to colleagues past and present, particularly Fire Control. Chas explains: 

“Control are all too often the forgotten heroes, tipping me out at all hours of the day and night, and keeping me safe.” 

 

When asked about the highlight of his distinguished career, he said: 

“Working with the police is something that I really enjoyed. My role was one of liaison, inter-service communication, and partnership working. I became part of their team and assisted them with handling incidents. It was enlightening and really helped me to see our incidents, such as RTCs, with a new appreciation of their needs. I was able to share this valuable knowledge with my crew at Hardley and others in the Service. As an HIWFRS volunteer now, I still enjoy working with my police colleagues and at the moment am involved with arranging some emergency services events.” 

 

Chas’s book, co-authored with Alan Titheridge, is on sale now for £9.95 with all profits going to fire and police charities. It is full of colour images and explains how a boyhood dream of becoming a fireman turned into 52-year (and two day) career.  

 

In October 2022 Chas will celebrate 56 years in the Service, entirely spent in his home county of Hampshire.

 

You can get your copy, here.