Fallen firefighter John Holmes honoured in state memorial

RURAL Fire Service brigades across the Northern Rivers paused this week to honour Senior Deputy Captain John Holmes.

Mr Holmes’s name was added to the NSW Emergency Service Volunteers Memorial at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair in Sydney.

He died in October 2023 while battling the Bean Creek fire, having served with the Mallanganee Brigade since 1971.

He was recognised with life membership in June 2022.

RFS commissioner Rob Rogers described Mr Holmes as “a role model and mentor,” saying his legacy will “forever be proudly etched in the history of the RFS and the Mallanganee brigade.”

Commissioner Rogers, Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib, and acting commissioner of the NSW SES Deb Platz attended the 24th NSW Emergency Service Volunteers Memorial Service on Sunday.

They honoured Mr Holmes and three other fallen volunteers, including RFS firefighters Leo Fransen and Dale Bowles and SES volunteer Troy Mooney.

“Whilst today is a day of mourning, it is also a day to recognise the dedication and sacrifice of these personnel who lost their lives protecting communities across NSW,” Mr Rogers said.

Established in 1999, the memorial now bears 119 names from various volunteer services.

Mr Holmes is also honoured on the National Emergency Services Memorial in Canberra.