Daniel ‘Mick’ O’Donovan’s daughter Lorraine and son Mark at the ceremony

A FIREFIGHTER who died while on duty has finally been recognised 60 years after his death with a “red plaque” honouring his memory.

Daniel Michael O’Donovan, known to his family as Mick, was only 25 years old when he was called to help a person shut in a lift at Moelwyn Hughes Court in Hilldrop Lane.

The routine call in 1964 turned to tragedy after he fell from the roof while trying to reach the lift motor room.

His daughter Lorraine was only two years old at the time.

At the unveiling this week, she said: “I struggle because Dad is a word I seldom use because he died when I was young. It’s just bloody sad really.

“My mum had a suitcase which was hidden away and I’ve had to open it up and it’s as if all the past is coming out. I’ve been finding little poems that she wrote and it’s just sad, you feel there is a lot of love and a life is cut short.”

Mr O’Donovan was brought up in Harrow with two brothers and a sister, and was an avid sportsman.

Daniel ‘Mick’ O’Donovan who died in 1964 while working as a firefighter in Islington

One of his brothers, Cathal, only a year his junior, tearfully recalled how the pair had been inseparable.

“We were a year different in age so we did everything together really. He loved going for snooker. He liked a pint. That was it. He was just a nice bloke.

“Then we got a knock on the door and that was it,” he said.

“We went to school together. We were in the same year always. He was at the top and I was at the bottom in age. We used to live near the local swimming pool, we used to go swimming all year round.”

The pair even ended up marrying two sisters. “I met my wife through his wife so we used to go round in a foursome,” said Mr O’Donovan. “We were all really close.”

Mr O’Donovan, who is now in his eighties, said the recognition was “emotional”.

“This is brilliant, seriously. I didn’t know the scheme existed.” he said. “It was very emotional, very. I didn’t think it would be. I thought I’d passed it, but no”.

Mr O’Donovan pictured on his wedding day with his brother Cathal

After getting married, the young firefighter moved to Dunstable with his wife where they began raising their two children, Lorraine and Mark.

Mark, who was six months old when his dad died, said: “We were so young. It was hard, it was difficult, but you adapt, kids do. If you haven’t got a dad, you just move on with your life, you don’t dwell on it.”

More than six decades later, a red plaque has been installed at the site of his death as part of a scheme run by the Fire Brigades Union and funded by the Firefighters 100 lottery.

Family and friends gather at the unveiling of the special plaque honouring Daniel ‘Mick’ O’Donovan

Tributes were paid by colleagues to Mr O’Donovan’s courage and bravery.

Chucks Abili, station commander of the LFB, said: “It’s important that we are here today because even though we are separated by six decades, as firefighters we are still connected. It is important that we remember… that’s why we have frontline fire­fighters, Euston White Watch.”

He added: “Our firefighters are our most valued asset.

“The legacy that firefighter Daniel O’Donovan has left lives through these guys.

“That generation of firefighters created the culture and instilled the values of bravery that me and my colleagues live by today.”

At an inquest, the coroner said that Mr O’Donovan’s death “shows the risks people run in service of their fellow citizens”.

Ms O’Donovan added that her dad “loved” his job.

“He loved the camaraderie, he was ambitious and he was proud to be a fireman,” she said.

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