Fireman killed in the Dudgeon's Wharf explosion.
Andrew Behan has researched Smee: Fireman Alfred Charles Smee was born on 16 September 1921 and his birth was registered in Islington. He was the third of the four children children of Alfred George Smee and Elizabeth Smee née Marshall. His father was a Plumbers Mate. The 1939 England & Wales Register shows the family living at 110 Shepperton Road, Islington and lists his occupation as a General Labourer. In 1943 he married Joan Madaline Lovelock in Finsbury and they had one son, William C. Smee born in 1945. Electoral registers from 1946 to 1953 show them living at 15 Paget Street, Finsbury and from 1957 to 1964 at Deptford Fire Station, 186 Evelyn Street, Deptford.
On 17 July 1969 he was attached to Fire Station F23 Millwall, in Westferry Road and was sent to a fire at Dudgeon's Wharf, Manchester Road, Millwall. He died, aged 47 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 24 years service in the London Fire Brigade. Probate records dated 10 November 1969 stating administration of his estate was granted gives his address as 17 Pelican House, Grove Street, London, S.E.8. His effects totalled £1512. He is also commemorated on the National Firefighters Memorial in Sermon Lane, London, EC4.
At his death he had served in the London Fire Brigade for twenty-four years.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
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