A special memorial bench has been unveiled at Pewsey Fire Station in memory of Watch Manager Mark Hillier, who died while responding to his alerter almost three years ago.
Mark died on 12 October 2023. His funeral the following month brought hundreds of people onto the streets of Pewsey as the cortege passed through the village.
He had served as an on-call firefighter at Pewsey for 28 years, alongside his role as a wholetime firefighter at Salisbury Fire Station. At the time of his death, he was also temporarily promoted to Station Manager.
The new bench carries Mark’s nickname, ‘Sparksy’, along with paw prints representing the three much-loved family dogs who also died with him.
It was designed by Mark’s wife, Holly, and donated by Pewsey Parish Council. A family friend carried out the block paving and brickwork needed to create the seating area, while a local business donated the plaque.
Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service’s Estates department also helped secure the necessary permissions for the memorial.
The bench was unveiled by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Dame Sarah Troughton DCVO, alongside Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole QFSM and Cllr Paul Oatway QPM, Vice-Chair of the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority and ward councillor for Pewsey Vale West.
Members of the Pewsey fire crew were joined for the ceremony by Mark’s family and friends, former colleagues and parish councillors.
Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole said the loss of Mark had been felt across the Service and the wider Pewsey community.
“Mark’s untimely death had a profound impact on family and the village of Pewsey, as well as on his station, his watch and the wider Service,” he said.
“This beautiful bench is a fitting tribute to a man who was immensely proud of being a firefighter and the community around him.
“My grateful thanks go to everyone who contributed in any way to this memorial.”
The bench now provides a permanent place at Pewsey Fire Station for Mark’s family, friends, colleagues and the local community to remember a firefighter who spent almost three decades serving his home village.
