Richard (Dick) W. J. Helyer B.E.M
(1915 - 2003)

President of Massey Shaw & M.V . Preservation Society

Richard (Dick) Helyer was born on 3rd November 1915.

He entered the Royal Navy aged 13. but decided that the Fire Brigade was for him.

He joined the LFB in 1938 and became a member of the regular Firefloat crew at Lambeth putting his earlier experiences to good use.

In May 1940 , Dick was selected to be one of the volunteer crew of the Massey Shaw , which had been ordered to Ramsgate to join the 'Little Ships.

During the three trips that the Massey made across the channel Dick spent his time in the engine room of the Massey , watching through the engine hatch windows as German planes strafed the vessel and her 'cargo' of troops.

At one point the Massey experience difficulty in getting troops aboard, as their small boat was quick swamped by tired solders. Dick as the youngest member of the crew volunteered to swim to the shore and attach a line to post so that the troops could pull themselves to the vessel. This action was recognised on Dicks BEM citation.

On the Massey's return he saw action throughout the Blitz, and once war had ended began his progression through the ranks of the Brigade. He was always known as a strong supporter of the FBU and had a number of 'run in's' with senior management over his views.Dick rose to the rank of Station Officer and in 1965 had the honour of being part of the crew which took the Massey back to Dunkirk with the first Association of Dunkirk Little Ships returns.

Dick was interviewed by Raymond Baxter who had organised the event and David Dimbleby, at this time .

Dick retired from the Brigade in 1967, still keeping his links with the Brigade via the Retired Members Ass. In the late 1970's Dick was contacted by Mr Tom Bell about helping to save his old vessel Massey Shaw which had sadly fallen in to disrepair. He and several others were instrumental in saving the boat from disappearing by forming a the Massey Shaw and Marine Vessels Preservation Society in 1982.

Dick was able to crew the Massey a two further returns to Dunkirk in 1985 and 1990. The 1990 trip was a special one as Dick was reunited with former sergeant John Overy who he had rescued from Dunkirk fifty years earlier. Neither man had seen each other for all that time and many happy hours were spent reliving old times, whilst being interviewed for the BBC by Kate Adie. Sadly, John died several months later of cancer.

Dick continued his work with the Massey and was voted President of the Society , an honour which reflected the high standing and affection he was held in by all who new him. Always the family man he was looked after in later life following his wife's death, by his two daughters.

Dick will be sorely missed by his loving family, all members of the society and his retired friends. Part of the Brigades history has died with him, as the sole survivor of the Massey Shaw's trip into the history books.

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