Jackie McClelland

John Stephen McClelland
File:Jackie McClelland Portrait.jpg Portrait of Jackie McClelland in front of the Ulster Fire Appliance.
Born	John Stephen McClelland 14 October 1923 Newry
Died	13 April 1981 Newry
Other names	Jackie McClelland
Occupation	Firefighter
Parent(s)	Patrick J McClelland, Katie Trainor

John Stephen McClelland BEM (14 October 1923 - 13 April 1981) also known as Jackie was a firefighter and councilor from Newry, Northern Ireland who served from 1940 until he was forced to retire due to injuries sustained whilst attending a callout.

A son of a WW1 Veteran, Jackie grew up in St Patricks Avenue of Newry and by the age of 17, he and his older brother James were serving in Coventry and Birmingham during the German blitz of WW2. Upon returning to Northern Ireland, Jackie joined the Auxillary Fire Service in Belfast shortly before it was nationalized. Returning to his hometown he joined the Newry Depot which was now under the control of the Northern Ireland Fire Authority and was Section leader as early as his 19th birthday in 1942. Sometime in the 60s he was made Sub Officer of Newry Station

In 1972 Jackie was awarded a British Empire Medal by Queen Elizabeth II cited "For his courage, leadership and devotion to duty."

A year later Jackie was severely injured whilst attending a callout in Newtownhamilton on the 26th of October 1973 when a bomb exploded in O'Malley's furniture store. Jackie lost part of multiple fingers along with several feet of intestine with also holes in his bladder and other injuries to his leg. He was forced to retire from active duty and by 1975 had left the organization completely.

File:Jackie newtownhamilton.jpg

Jackie in the aftermath of the explosion in Newtownhamilton 1973

In 1981, Jackie died from Intestinal cancer.

In 2002 A park in Newry on Edward Street was developed on the location of the old RUC base, "McClelland Park" was named in his honour.

Legacy

The McClelland name in the Newry and Mourne area is synonymous with firefighting. Along with his brother Jimmy. five of Jackie's six sons went on to serve in the Fire Service along with a grandson. His son John was the chief fire officer of the Northern Ireland Fire Brigade.