It is with great sadness that we have received notification of the death of AF&RS pensioner Joseph (Ray) Raymond Wyatt BEM, who passed away on 31st August 2026, aged 95.
Ray started his Fire Service career with Somerset Fire Brigade in 1951 serving at Nailsea Fire Station as an On Call Firefighter and retired in 1991, serving 32 years as Station Officer. Throughout his 39 year career with the Service, Ray served on the Technical Committee, he was involved with the British Fire Association and helped to improve On Call Firefighters’ conditions.
Ray ran free educational courses for the Scouts, Guides, St John Ambulance Service, Duke of Edinburgh Awards and also with the help of other Station personnel, ran programmes for local school children.
His dedication was rewarded with:- The Fire Brigade Long Service Medal, The Luxembourg Medal, The Queens Silver Jubilee Medal and in the New Years Honours List of 1991, and The British Empire Medal (BEM).
The attached photo of Ray is of him receiving the British Empire Medal in 1991, with his wife Lilian (who worked for many years in the Control Room at Temple Back Fire Station, Bristol).
Ray grew up and worked on the family farm. This developed into a farm contracting business including supplying machinery, haulage and groundwork services. After his retirement Ray started two businesses, a haulage/vehicle repair business and managing a small industrial estate. He remained active and carried on working up to his final days.
AF&RS Pensioners Association Secretary & Treasurer. NARF District No. 7 Chairman & Treasurer
Pensioners Association 
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