Person    | Male  Died 11/3/1968

Fireman Peter Brian O’Connell Hutchins

Fireman Peter Brian O’Connell Hutchins

Called to attend a fire in a restaurant in the King’s Road, Chelsea, he entered the building in breathing apparatus, along with his colleague Fireman Colin Comber, to locate the seat of the fire. Once inside, both men were engulfed in an ‘explosive flashover’. (a rolling ball of flame). They were rushed to a specialist burns unit, but unfortunately both died.

The date given on the Highgate Cemetery memorial is 11 March 1968 but, confusingly, on the Chelsea Firefighters memorial 8 March 1968 is given. Hutchins and Comber were both injured in tackling the fire at Peter Evans Eating House at 65 King's Road, Chelsea on 8 March 1968 and both died in the burns unit at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton Lane, London, SW15, on 11 March 1968.

Little could be found about this man. On both memorials he is recorded as Brian O'Connell Hutchins, but his full name was Peter Brian O'Connell Hutchins. His death was registered in the 1st quarter of 1968 in the Wandsworth registration district and his age was recorded as being 24 years. This would have meant he was born in either 1943 or 1944.

Probate records confirm that he died on 11 March 1968 and that his address had been Flat 2, Acton Fire Station, 27 Gunnersbury Lane, London W.3. Administration of his estate was granted on 30 July 1968 and his effects totalled £10,692.

He is also commemorated on the National Firefighters Memorial at Sermon Lane, London, E.C.4 and in the Firefighters Memorial Trust's Book of Remembrance.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk and Andrew Behan.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Fireman Peter Brian O’Connell Hutchins

Commemorated ati

Chelsea Firefighters

This plaque is in the same style as others erected by Firemen Remembered, alt...

Read More

Other Subjects

Stanley Robert Stevens

Stanley Robert Stevens

Auxiliary fireman killed in the bomb attack on Henry Cavendish School, Balham. Andrew Behan has kindly carried out further research: Auxiliary Fireman Stanley Robert Stevens was born on 25 October...

Person, Emergency Services

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
Harry Richard Skinner

Harry Richard Skinner

Auxiliary Fireman Harry Richard Skinner was born on 8 December 1908 in Southwark, the third of the six children of John William Skinner (1874-1934) and Louise Skinner née Spratley (1879-1959). His ...

Person, Emergency Services

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
David Arthur Morton-Holmes

David Arthur Morton-Holmes

Member of the ARP/Civil Defence Services - stretcher bearer. Andrew Behan has kindly provided this research: David Arthur Morton-Holmes was born on 17 September 1909 in Belvedere, Kent, the second...

Person, Emergency Services

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
District Officer Charles Edward Pearson

District Officer Charles Edward Pearson

Died at the Siege of Sidney Street.  Andrew Behan has researched this man: District Officer Charles Edward Pearson was born on 2 August 1869 in Shadwell, a son of Henry Grove Pearson and Sarah Pea...

Person, Emergency Services, Tragedy

1 memorial
Thomas Charles Aldsworth

Thomas Charles Aldsworth

Auxiliary fireman killed in an air raid on Poplar

Person, Emergency Services

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial