Former Alton firefighter Don Welton died in Alton Community Hospital on May 8 at the age of 91.

Don joined the Portsmouth City Fire Brigade in February 1958 and his first posting was at Southsea fire station.

He then transferred to the Hampshire Fire Brigade, serving at its headquarters and also in Winchester, Farnborough, Aldershot and Alton.

Alan House - secretary and editor of Stop Message, the magazine of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Past Members Association - said: “Don served as an Assistant Divisional Officer (ADO) based at Alton from January 1975 until February 1977, until being promoted to Divisional Officer in charge of fire prevention working out of the A Div HQ offices at Basingstoke fire station.

“I cannot really tell you too much about him, other than what was in my death notification and that he was a very much respected and liked member of the service.

“My understanding is that he was in the Royal Marines prior to joining the Portsmouth City Fire Brigade. Sadly all personnel records once held by the service were destroyed.”

During Don’s time at Alton fire station members of the brigade there were keen participants in local and national drill competitions and won many trophies. Don is pictured with the team in a photograph taken from the April 2021 issue of Stop Message.

In the January 2010 edition, former Alton firefighter Mick Robinson recalled a fire prevention visit he and Don made to Gales Brewery in Horndean in around 1975.

Mick said: “Surprisingly Don Welton thought it a good idea to accompany me. Don’s explanation was he wanted to monitor my work - nothing to do with the renowned hospitality shown to visitors at this brewery then.

“Don and I found ourselves on the second floor of the office block trying to locate a fire exit into the factory. A helpful secretary guided us towards her stationery cupboard, where I duly found - behind her coat and some boxes - a small door. I moved the obstructions, slid back the barrel bolt and tried to open the door, but found it stuck.

“With typical fire brigade finesse, I applied gentle pressure with my shoulder. The door suddenly gave way, causing me to fall forward through the doorway.

“The door opened into a very small space, which quickly became apparent as being a toilet. What also became quickly apparent was the two feet drop in the floor level.

“The third unexpected humiliation that washed over me, as I was nose-diving to the floor, was that the toilet was occupied by a very nubile 17-year-old girl. I don’t know who was more shocked, her or me.

“My discomfort was not eased by seeing a grown ADO and a secretary rolling on the floor with tears of laughter running down their faces.

“I eventually spoke to the girl concerned who, after her initial shock, found the whole episode very funny.

“Sadly, after all these years, my overriding memory is of Don Welton falling about laughing and not of the young girl concerned!”