Terence Joseph Patrick Breen was born on 19 May 1932, his birth being registered as Terence Breen in the 2nd quarter of 1932 in the Stepney Registration District, London. He was a son of Patrick Joseph Breen (1885-1970) and Catherine Breen née Wilson (b.1898).
In the 1939 England and Wales Register he was shown as Terence Breen, a scholar living at 89 Cornwallis Road, Dagenham, Essex (now Greater London), with his parents and three siblings including Ellen Breen (1920-1986). His father was shown as a public works contractor (labourer heavy work) whilst his mother was described as on unpaid domestic duties and his sister, Ellen, was a factory hand working a power press (metal).
He married Catherine B. Duffy in the 3rd quarter of 1957 in the Durham North Western Registration District. They had three children: Stephen M. Breen whose birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1959 in the Lambeth Registration District, London; Peter J. Breen whose birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1961 in the Romford Registration District, Essex (now Greater London) and Terence J. Breen whose birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1964 in the Ilford Registration District, Essex (now Greater London).
He was a Fireman in the London Fire Brigade and was attached to Fire Station F22 Brunswick Road, (this station was closed in the 1970's and given listed grade II listed status and its address is now 30 Gillender Street, London, E14 6RH). On 17 July 1969 he was sent to a fire at Dudgeon's Wharf, Manchester Road, Millwall, London, where he died, aged 37 years, from injuries resulting from an explosion involving flammable vapours in an old oil tank that was in the process of being demolished. He had twelve years service in the London Fire Brigade. His death was registered as Terence J. Breen in the 3rd quarter of 1969 in the Poplar and Bethnal Green Registration District, Greater London.
Probate records show his full name as Terence Joseph Patrick Breen and his address as 71 Eastbrook Drive, Rush Green, Romford. When administration of his estate was granted on 2 December 1969 his effects totalled £7,220.
On 9 November 2024 his next-of-kin was awarded the .
He is shown as ‘Terrance Breen’ on the joint London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority and the London Fire Brigade plaque and as ‘TERENCE BREEN’ on Fire Brigade Union’s Red Plaque, both located at Sextant Avenue, Thames Path, London, E14. He is also shown as 'Fm Terence Breen' on a plaque attached to the border wall of the London Fire Brigade memorial at Highgate Cemetery, Swain's Lane, London, N6. He is also commemorated on the National Firefighters Memorial in Sermon Lane, London, EC4, on the and on the .
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk and Andrew Behan.
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