THE bravery of Alan Bannon and James Shears is to be remembered at two monuments to firefighters who gave their lives to save others.

The names of the men killed in the blaze at Shirley Towers will be added to the National Firefighters Memorial near St Paul’s Cathedral in London, joining more than 2,200 British firefighters who have died in active service.

They will also feature on a new memorial stone dedicated to Hampshire firefighters who died in the line of duty soon to be unveiled at the service’s Eastleigh headquarters.

The £15,000 memorial will incorporate a bronze relief depicting firefighters through the ages and will be the final addition to the four existing life-size statues.

The tribute, which has been organised by retiring deputy chief officer Alan House, was planned long before the deaths of the two members of St Mary’s Red Watch on Tuesday night.

Hampshire Fire Authority chairman Royston Smith said: “The memorial will be a tribute to all those Hampshire firefighters who have died in service.

At this time of recent tragedy it will be all the more poignant.

“James Shears and Alan Bannon gave their lives protecting the lives of others.

The memorial will be an enduring tribute to them and to all the others who have paid the ultimate price to keep Hampshire’s residents safe.”

The men were the first Southampton firefighters to lose their lives in a fire since 1940, when 11 firemen were killed in the Second World War Blitz on the city.

Gerry Clarkson, chairman of the Firefighters Memorial Charitable Trust, said their names would be cast in bronze and added to the London memorial in time for the annual service of remembrance on September 12.

Family, friends and colleagues will be invited to attend a service at St Bartholomew’s The Great Church before marching one mile to the memorial for a wreath laying ceremony.

Mr Clarkson, a former chief officer of the London Fire Brigade, said it was important for the families of Mr Shears and Mr Bannon to know that their sacrifice would not be forgotten.

“You cannot give more than your life. The very least we can do is honour them and make sure the families have a tangible image that demonstrates that the nation honours their loved ones,” he said.

Once the official inquiries are completed, Mr Clarkson said the Trust would independently examine the findings to ensure lessons are learned from the tragedy.

How to donate

United in grief, colleagues of Alan Bannon and James Shears have launched an appeal in their memory and to help safeguard the future of their families.

■ YOU can give money to the James Shears and Alan Bannon Memorial Fund by visiting your own bank and using the following account numbers: Sort Code: 08-60-01 Account no: 20111678 Unity Trust Bank

■ Alternatively members of the public can visit St Mary’s fire station to drop off donations direct.

■ All money raised will go directly to the families of Alan Bannon and James Shears.