RETIRED Bearwood fireman Christopher ‘Chris’ Baverstock has died at the age of 72.

Chris was born in Bournemouth in April 1945 and attended Summerbee School, leaving to become an apprentice electrician for his father. He worked at Grace Brothers in Winton and one day, while driving his van, nearly ran over Elaine, one of the new, young office employees who had popped out to post a letter.

Fortunately for Chris, she wasn’t offended and they started seeing each other, marrying in October 1966, building their own home at Canford Heath, having two children; Janine and Tony, and celebrating their Golden Wedding last year.

While Chris was working at BAC on the electronics for Concord, his father-in-law, who was an assistant divisional officer with Bournemouth Fire Service, suggested he joined the fire brigade. “We had two children then and he knew it would be a good job, but more than that he loved helping people and so he jumped at the chance,” says Elaine.

Chris’s service started in 1972 and he joined Red Watch at Bournemouth, later moving to Westbourne when they located the turntable ladder there, as he would drive the appliances.

“He worked on some really big incidents including the summer fires at Canford Heath and the explosion at the BDH Chemical Plant in Poole,” says Elaine. The BDH fire, which saw explosions hurling chemical drums into the air and the evacuation of 2,000 people involved 120 firefighters and made the news in several countries.

“He saw some horrible things but he also saw some really happy endings which was the nature of his job and it always made him appreciate his family,” says Elaine.

Chris received his Long Service Medal and retired in 2000, following a back injury.

He spent his retirement helping to care for his parents-in-law; gardening, cooking and enjoying his family. “He was a great cook and always did the cooking for his watch,” says Elaine.

In September 2016 Chris fell ill and fought his illness with courage and dignity, eventually losing his fight on November 6 2017. His funeral was held at Bournemouth Crematorium where his coffin was draped in the flag of the Dorset Fire and Rescue, with a helmet and a flashing blue light.

He leaves behind his wife, Elaine, their daughter and son, three granddaughters and a grandson and a great-grand-daughter.