By Les Reid
Coventry Evening Telegraph

Photo Warwickshire County Council The fallen firefighters are remembered at the ceremony.

COVENTRY, England — Four candles represented four inspirational lives.

In a poignant moment, four unlit candles were brought forward at Coventry Cathedral by the firefighters of tomorrow.

They were first lit at the fire service's memorial chapel following the deaths of four firefighters killed in the Atherstone-on-Stour warehouse blaze nearly three months ago.

As a youthful quartet from the Young Firefighters' Association carried them down the aisle, the candles symbolised that their bravery would not be forgotten, and would continue for generations in their honour.

There were hundreds in the congregation at yesterday's memorial service to remember those courageous firefighters - John Averis, aged 27, Ian Reid, 44, Ashley Stephens, 20, and Darren Yates-Badley, 24.

The message to their families and dignitaries present, including ministers and Royal Family representatives, was they paid the ultimatesacrifice out of love and duty.

Love for their fellow men and women, and love for their community.

In the words of one of the service's hymns:

"I vow to thee, my country all earthly things above,

Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love:

The love that asks no questions, the love that stands the test,

That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;

The love that never falters, the love that pays the price.

The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice."

Before the service, standard bearers from as far away as the Isle of Wight and Scotland lined the cathedral steps to welcome the families and dignitaries, as a sole bagpiper played.

The Bishop of Warwick, the Right Reverend John Stroyan, paid tribute to "four very courageous men willing to give their lives for others".

He continued: "As we honour their self-sacrifice we give our thanks to all members of the fire service."

A message was read out from Prime Minister Gordon Brown by fire service minister Parmjit Dhanda MP.

Mr Brown recalled his visit to Warwickshire after the fire at the vegetable packaging plant on November 2 when he heard "first hand accounts of the bravery" of the four firefighters.

He added: "We owe them a debt of gratitude. They exemplified a service to the community; one which their families, friends and colleagues can be immensely proud and which serves as an inspiration to others."

The cathedral bells tolled before and after the service with help from the Fire Service Guild of Bell Ringers.

A new memorial standard for Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service was dedicated and presented to the Bishop of Warwick.

The cathedral choir sang hymns chosen by the firefighters' families, including Onward Christian Soldiers, The Lord's My Shepherd, and 'Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning'.

Representatives of Princess Michael and Princess Royal were in attendance, as were the Lord Lieutenants of Warwickshire and the West Midlands, Martin Dunne and Paul Sabapathy.

The band of the West Midlands Fire Service performed, and the 90-minute service closed with the 90s song Search For The Hero Inside Yourself by M People.

Coventry Evening Telegraph