A HEROIC tale of a Second World War firefighter who helped stop a spread of explosions at a Hereford bomb making factory will be remembered at the city's fire station.

A citation with the story of Frederick Arthur Lewis has been donated to Hereford Firestation by his daughter June Skinner to go alongside his previously donated medal which is housed in the station's front stairwell.

During Mrs Skinner and family’s most recent visit to the station they donated the original citation written by Buckingham Palace for Hereford City Council.

The citation reads: ‘Assistant Fire Brigade Officer, Mr Frederick Arthur Lewis.

'On March 22, 1945, Mr Lewis was in charge of the Royal Ordinance Factory Fire Brigade on the evening of the explosion.

'With a crew of four he went to an area where a bomb had been dropped. The crew endeavoured to smother the unexploded, but on fire bomb, with sand and placed a sand mat over the bomb.

'Mr Lewis later checked under the sand mat and realised the bomb was still burning so ordered the use of foam and water to cool, hoping that the bomb would burn out without exploding.

'He directed, controlled and encouraged his men up to the moment that the bomb exploded. The explosion blew him off his feet and hurled 30 yards out of the building and his jacket torn off.

'He picked himself up and seeing that four or five other bombs were burning he rallied his men and set to work to prevent further explosions. The story goes on into the night of gallant firefighting and acts of heroism.’