NFS Fireman Walter Sunderland – Bury NFS
Died 30th December 1942 aged 39. Of 86 Scholes Street, Elton
January 1943 was a terrible year in Castle Armoury’s long history. A member of the National Fire Service, Fireman Walter Sunderland (39) died tackling a ferocious fire at the site. An explosion rocked the building and threw Fireman Sunderland and several colleagues through the windows. He died of his injuries, while others were taken to the infirmary. Almost the entire building was destroyed, with hundreds of shop windows blown out along The Rock. The nearby church took full force of the blast with £1,000 of damage to its stained glass windows. While many other cities and towns had their centres destroyed by Nazi bombing raids, Bury’s was destroyed from within. It was not believed that arson was to blame for the tragic events, however evidence later suggested the fire originated in or near to the heating apparatus. The fire was discovered at approximately 6 am, the alarm being raised by a local railway worker. Firemen from Bury and the surrounding districts were rushed to the scene. They at once concentrated their efforts on preventing the fire spreading and tackled the flames from inside the building. The fatal explosion occurred at 7.30 am. An inquest was opened on Fireman Sunderland’s death at the Coroner’s office, Colonel R.M. Barlow adjudicating. A verdict of accidental death was recorded. It is often said that the spirit of Fireman Sunderland haunts the Officers’ Mess, where the accident happened.