2 firemen – Colin Weeks and Herbert Dewey – were killed on active service in the Cowes blitz 81 years ago.
The 2 friends died at the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service canteen wagon at the corner of Clarence Road and Minerva Road in East Cowes in the early hours of 5th May 1942. They had been taking a well-earned break from firefighting throughout the night in the shipyards and terraced houses of the town during a relentless air onslaught in which at least 70 Islanders lost their lives.
The canteen took a direct hit, and they were believed to have died instantly.
Colin Weeks – who was just 19 years old – was taking a London College course to enter the Civil Service when the 2nd World War broke out. However, he changed his career plans and volunteered to join the fire service. Colin’s parents were the Mayor and Mayoress of Ryde.
Bert Dewey – aged 40 – was a violinist and leader of a small orchestra as well as a fireman. Tragically, Bert was due to be married in a few weeks at the time of his death. Sadly, there are no images of Bert available.
War touched the lives of many Islanders. At the Town Council meeting in Ryde in which the death of the Mayor’s son was announced, the Council also heard of the death of the son of the Town Clerk R.A, Fawdry R.N, killed on active service.
The funeral for the 2 firemen was held at All Saints Church, Ryde, which was filled to capacity. Their coffins were draped in Union flags and carried on a fire engine.
At a memorial service for the 2 men, the Rev. F. H. Rolph said of the 2 firemen that they were:
“Happy in that they had been ready to preserve life, but willing to lay down their own lives for others.
“At Cowes, the test came; they were not found wanting, and today we could with all sincerity think of them as happy in Paradise, waiting to meet us there. “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.” This love, Bert and Colin, as they were affectionately known to their comrades, had to a full measure.”
Colin Weeks and Herbert Dewey were buried side-by-side at Ryde Cemetary. In 2017, the 75th anniversary of their deaths was commemorated by Ryde firefighters in a memorial service at the cemetery.
Colin Weeks kept a diary during the war years, which has been published under the title My War Diary, introduced by the IWFBF’s Damon Corr.
Further information on Colin Weeks and Herbert Dewy may be found on the Isle of Wight Fire Brigades Federation website.
So sad but how incredible brave they were
why is the vicar standing in a hole
Such a young age and so sad they were only trying to help others. Any war is vile, we have to always consider the risk when, as now, we become ever more entangled in supporting others, aided and encouraged by the US who may have more it’s own interests at heart than those they proport to be helping.
For Europe again will pay the price, whilst they will no doubt ‘gain’ from a third WW.
The US in being self sufficient in food, oil, energy, minerals and with the best weapons and huge army, along with a massive land mass, has less to ‘fear’ than we do, so far easier for them to ‘stir’ and let others do their dirtywork.
Easy to disagree until it is your loved ones bagged up.
May these heroes rest in peace and be remembered.