A MAN who guarded St Paul’s Cathedral during the Blitz has spoken of his pride after joining a special ceremony to mark the 70th anniversary of the bombings.

Richard Holsgrove, of Triton Way, Thundersley, went to a service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London to mark the 70 years since the Second War War bombings on the capital.

It was a fitting occasion for the 86-year-old, who spent his teenage years as a junior firefighter guarding the iconic cathedral during the Blitz.

Mr Holsgrove was just 16 when he joined the fire service first as a dispatch rider, then promoted to junior fireman when he reached 17.

He said: “The first fire I went to was at Tilbury Docks. There weren’t many fire engines so we had a Dodge lorry with ladders and a pump was towed behind.

“People used to say you must have been scared, but it was exciting to me. I wasn’t scared at that age.

“It was wonderful to stand next to a qualified fireman and help.”

Recalling a haunting experience, Mr Holsgrove said that during another fire he thought he had come across a survivor perched up against a wall.

He said: “But he was dead. They said the blast must have got him.”

While serving with South Tottenham fire brigade, Mr Holsgrove said he was called up to defend the cathedral during a memorable night on December 29, 1940.

In one night a squadron of German planes had dropped about 1,400 incendiary bombs on central London. The cathedral was a key target.

Fire crews were told to keep its walls and nearby buildings in Newgate Street cool, to prevent the cathedral from being destroyed.

Mr Holsgrove said he feared for his life after seeing several buildings collapse.

He survived the night, but others were not so lucky.

Mr Holsgrove said: “There was a West Ham crew on the other side. The buildings collapsed and some men were killed.”

A change in the weather helped to prevent the German planes from dropping more bombs and the landmark was saved.

Now a grandfather of three, Mr Holsgrove said he was proud of his role as firefighter and enjoyed looking at the intact cathedral.

He said despite his sadness for the people who did not survive, the ceremony on Tuesday was a fitting tribute. He added: “It’s a wonderful building.

“We must not forget the people who died doing their duty and those who were heroes in their own right who were helping to save the city.”