Villagers joined together to unveil a plaque in commemoration of the wartime reserve fire service in a ceremony organised by one of the former members.

Now in his 90s Charlie Darby had served in the Flackwell Heath-based group during World War II and invited residents to honour their work last week at Jubilee Gardens, in the centre of the village.

This unit was formed in 1940 and operated throughout the Second World War primarily to deal with the effects of enemy aerial bombing.

All of the members were volunteers from the community and were based in a shed next to the Green Man pub, now a Sainsbury’s Local store.

Bucks Free Press:

Cllr David Johncock, who attended the special ceremony, said: "Of all the volunteers Charlie Darby is the only member left alive today.

“In fact he was only 16 when he joined and only served in the unit for three years prior to joining the Royal Air Force.

“Initially, he was employed in the paper mill [T B Ford] in Loudwater [roughly where Dreams is now] before being directed to Broome and Wade's to dismantle Churchill tanks for overhaul.”

He added: “Charlie has kindly donated the nearby plaque to acknowledge the valuable contribution that these volunteers made to war efforts at home.”

During the ceremony, members of the Royal British Legion joined residents while, Rev Chris Bull of Christ Church gave a short speech.

Bucks Free Press:

Speaking about the group, Cllr Johncock said: “The unit undertook dry drills every Sunday in a field next to Stan Smiths orchard just off North Links Road, opposite where the golf club is today.

“The volunteers also regularly had to check the hydrants that were located throughout the village.

“The unit operated continuously throughout the blitz and was eventually disbanded at the end of the war.

“The volunteers at the time celebrated the event by driving the Austin 16 through the village with the bell ringing.”