Hundreds of firefighters from the UK, Europe and North America will gather in Essex on Saturday, 9 May 2026, for the second anniversary ceremony of the National Red Plaque Fire Service Memorial at the Living Memorial in Rettendon.
The ceremony, held the weekend after Firefighters Memorial Day, will bring together the fire service community and others for an act of remembrance. It will be attended by the Deputy Lieutenant of Essex, the Mayor of Chelmsford, fire service colleagues from around a dozen countries, and members of the public. The programme will include the National Anthem performed by world-famous mezzo-soprano Friederike Krum, a recital by the Sutherland Pipes and Drums, prayers and reflection, a minute’s silence, and wreath laying. The new UK Fire and Rescue Service K9 Memorial will also be inaugurated during the same event, in the presence of the Rt Hon Countess of Bathurst, on the National Foundation for Retired Service Animals.
A ceremonial motorcycle procession will form a major part of the day. The ride will feature a large gathering of Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club members on motorcycles travelling to Rettendon via Tilbury Fort and the Fire Museum in Grays. After the ceremony, the motorcycle procession will pass through Chelmsford. Members of the public are expected to view the ride at various locations.
President of the Red Knights England 4 Chapter, Ronnie Patterson, said: “This anniversary is about honouring the courage, service and sacrifice of fire service colleagues, and about ensuring that their names and their legacy are remembered. Red Knights members are coming to Essex from all over the world, and as far afield as the US, Canada, and Norway to pay their respects.”
The National Red Plaque Fire Service Memorial, which was inaugurated in May 2024, is a permanent place of remembrance for fire service personnel and their families. It sits alongside memorials to other military and civilian service branches at The Living Memorial at Rettendon. Open all year round, the Memorial provides a peaceful and accessible setting for reflection, and has become an important focal point for visitors, families and colleagues wishing to pay their respects.
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