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Honour for wartime fire hero revealed
A Leeds-based firefighter who lost his life protecting the city from air-raid fires during the Second World War has been honoured with a commemorative plaque, following the findings of a Leeds Beckett historian.
Solomon Belinsky, a Russian-born upholsterer from East Leeds, was remembered at Gipton Fire Station recently, after the story of his heroic sacrifice was uncovered by Dr Shane Ewen, a reader in urban history at Leeds Beckett.
Dr Ewen’s research revealed that on the eve of 15 March 1941, when the city centre was attacked by 40 German bombers, Solomon voluntarily turned out with the Gipton Fire Brigade to try and save the Leeds museum, after it sustained a direct hit. Shortly after arriving on the scene, however, Solomon was injured by a falling bomb and died 17 days later.
Dr Ewen said: “It’s great that the sacrifice that Solomon made for the city is receiving this recognition.
“Volunteers made up a huge proportion of firefighters during the war. Men and women like Solomon Belinsky risked their lives to help make the fire service an indispensable arm in the country’s civil defence; they heroically fought fires while bombs rained down upon them. Many who survived suffered burns and broken bones, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder having witnessed multiple fatalities.”
Solomon’s contribution to Leeds’ wartime defence was celebrated at the unveiling by several members of Solomon’s family and the local community, as well as representatives from the Fire Brigades Union.
Neil Carbutt, secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “We hope that this small plaque in his honour will ensure that the community in and around the Gipton fire station know the story and sacrifice of Solomon Belinsky for generations to come.”