Plaque unveiled in memory of brave Glasgow firefighter

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The fire found a way through to the row of tenements via a single storey connection. Due to a building defect of about 100 years before, there was no fire wall.
After Sub Officer McGill helped Alice Mulgrew, firefighters rescued the resident by ladder but she sadly died soon after and Sub Officer McGill died from the effects of smoke inhalation.
Four other firefighters were treated for injuries including one who fell 30ft.
Yesterday a memorial service was held at the heritage plaque in Maryhill Road where firefighters rescued 15 people by ladders and over 200 people were led through smoke to safety or evacuated from adjacent premises.
Aged 34, Sub Officer McGill left behind a wife, Eileen, and their three children, Stephen, nine, Shirley, eight, and Alan, nine months.
Stephen McGill was only nine years old when his father died in the line of duty.
Mr McGill said: “I remember it was a Saturday. He went to work and never came back. We heard on the teatime BBC news that there had been a big fire in Glasgow and a firefighter had died but we weren’t unduly concerned because he went to a lot of big fires. But at around 7pm two senior firefighters came to our door in full dress code – and as soon as we opened the door we knew what news they were bringing.”
The McGill family, like most firefighters' families at that time, lived in flats above fire stations. Mr McGill remembers the families living next to their home in Govan, filing up the stairs and coming to visit. He also remembers his father’s funeral where firefighters lined the streets to pay their respects standing with their axes and helmets.
SFRS Area Commander David Murdoch, Local Senior Officer for Glasgow, paid tribute to his bravery and Mr McGill also said a few words in his father’s honour. Members of the McGill family stood together, including Adrian’s sisters Patricia Campbell and Marion Quatrine.

Adrian McGill's sister Patricia Campbell holding a portrait of Adrian. Photograph by Colin Mearns. (Image: Newsquest, Colin Mearns)Mr McGill, 59 and lives in Erskine, said: “It was a long time ago but it’s still fresh in my mind. My mum was only in her early 30s and with a young family.”
Sadly, mum Eileen has since passed away, sister Shirley still lives in Glasgow and younger brother Alan now lives in Australia.
When Sub Officer McGill died in 1972, Glasgow's local authority commemorated him with a bravery certificate. 

50th anniversary commemoration of the Maryhill Road fire. Photo Colin Mearns. (Image: Newsquest)

His son gifted a copy of the certificate to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in recognition of the support his family have received throughout the years, both financial and emotional.
He said: “What happened was sad but we were lucky, we were never alone. We had financial and emotional support from the fire service, right through our teenage years.
“If my mum was here she would be thrilled he’s getting this day in his memory. My dad was a very gregarious and fun man. He loved life and he loved being a firefighter. This is a celebration of his life and what he did.”

Adrian McGill's sisters, Marion Quatrine, left and Patricia Campbell at right pictured at Maryhill fire station with two of Adrian's three children, Stephen and Shirley next to the red plaque unveiled. Picture Colin Mearns. (Image: Newsquest)
Mr McGill also followed his dad’s career and served as a firefighter for around seven years with Glasgow Fire Brigade, based at the city’s Cowcaddens Fire Station. He was also seconded to the then North West Fire Station - now Maryhill Fire Station - it’s where his dad was stationed.
He said: “It was quite surreal to be walking around the rooms and the dorms where he had spent his last days and where he would have been stationed that day when the engine left.”
Area Commander David Murdoch is SFRS Local Senior Officer for Glasgow. He said: “It is an honour to be here today and to stand with the McGill family and friends as we remember firefighter Adrian McGill. This is a fitting tribute to a brave man who made the ultimate sacrifice to help save lives and protect communities. He will never be forgotten. His spirit lives on in each and every one of our firefighters today as they approach their role with that same commitment and selfless dedication.”
After the memorial service, the Fire Brigades Union  Red Plaque in memory of Sub Officer McGill at Maryhill Fire Station.
This tragedy for the Glasgow Fire Service came less than three months after the loss of seven firefighters in August at Kilbirnie Street.
Matt Wrack, Fire Brigades Union (FBU) general secretary, said: "Firefighters will always do everything they can to save lives. Adrian McGill's bravery extended to laying his life down in an attempt to save another."
"It is so important that what he did is never forgotten. Red Plaques help firefighters to feel connected to those who came before them and helps them to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
"The Fire Brigades Union is proud and privileged to play a role in making sure that Adrian McGill is remembered."
Seona Hart, FBU Scotland regional treasurer, said: "Adrian McGill made a split-second decision out of care for someone else, a stranger who he had never met before, and a decision which he would have known came with huge risk.
"It is self-sacrifice on an almost indescribable scale. There's a quote that states that there is no more stirring symbol of our humanity towards others than a fire engine. Adrian McGill and what he did personify that.
"This plaque will ensure that the Glasgow community knows about the sacrifice that Adrian McGill made, and it will help Glasgow's firefighters remember one of their own."