A POPULAR former long-serving firefighter who was awarded a medal in recognition of his service has died, aged 81.

Harry Warren, who was a part-time fireman in Kirkbymoorside for 35 years, was given the British Empire Medal, which rewarded both civilians and military personnel for “meritorious service”.

Harry, who lived in the same house in West End, Kirkbymoorside, all his life apart from during a two-year period of National Service in the army in the 1940s, was married to Beryl for 59 years.

Their daughter, Margaret Carter, speaking on behalf of her mother, said her father got the medal for “a lot of service”.

“He tended a lot of moor fires on the North York Moors,” she said.

“He spent a lot of time fighting moor fires in the summer and I think it was just in recognition of everything he’d done.”

Harry, who was a founder member of the Kirkbymoorside Royal British Legion Club, was born on November 9, 1928, in Kirkbymoorside. He used to work as a welder at Russell’s engineering firm in the town, and was with the company for decades.

Harry married Beryl Smith on November 4, 1950, in Nunnington, near Kirkbymoorside. He retired as a retained firefighter in about 1985, after having been a sub-officer for the previous 15 years. Harry became a retained fireman because the previous sub-officer also worked at Russell’s. Margaret, 56, who also lives in Kirkbymoorside, said: “He was very well respected and liked by everyone and he always had a smile on his face.” She described him as “a countryman at heart”, saying: “He liked fishing, shooting and gardening.”

Harry died on December 21, at home, after a short illness. He is also survived by his wife, his other daughter, Susan, four grandsons, one great- grandson and two son-in-laws. His funeral will take place at 1pm on Wednesday, at All Saints’ Church, in Kirkbymoorside.