A FIREFIGHTER who lived to help others has died aged 89.

Cyril Burford, of Witney, spent about 20 years as an auxilliary firefighter in Oxfordshire and provided vital support after a number of incidents both minor and major – including the Aberfan disaster in 1966.

The former sailor, who had a long and successful career in the gas industry, also spent time volunteering for St John Ambulance and was on hand at many Witney Feasts.

Firefighters from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service formed a guard of honour for his funeral at South Oxford Crematorium earlier this month.

Mr Burford was born in Chipping Norton on March 21, 1928, to parents Frederick and May.

He grew up in Chipping Norton and attended a boys’ school in the town before taking an apprenticeship at the town’s gasworks at the age of 14.

His career in the gas industry would continue until his retirement, but there was a three-year gap when he joined the Royal Navy as part of his national service.

He served on aircraft carriers during his time in the Navy, spending time aboard HMS Indomitable, Implacable and Indefatigable.

When he returned from the Navy he continued to work for British Gas.

He moved to the gasworks in Witney where he was a supervisor.

He would eventually be promoted again to health and safety officer and was based in Oxford.

Mr Burford first became an auxiliary firefighter in Chipping Norton around the late 1940s and he would later serve Witney as a firefighter until 1968.

As an auxiliary firefighter, he would be called in to lead a team when the service was short on staff.

He spent four days in Aberfan, Wales, following the catastrophic disaster in the town in 1966 when a colliery spoil tip collapsed and engulfed the junior school as well as several other buildings.

Mr Burford’s widow Angela said of her late husband’s time in the fire service that he ‘lived for it’.

It was not just the fire service that Mr Burford was drawn to as a result of his altruistic nature.

He also worked with St John Ambulance, and would be stationed with the organisation on The Leys in Witney for several Witney Feasts.

Mr Burford would also dress up as Father Christmas and visit schools, care homes and hospitals during the festive season – taking bookings as early as August in any given year.

Mr Burford met his wife, Angela, in Chipping Norton’s High Street in around 1950.

They married in the town’s registry office on Christmas Eve, 1952, with Mr Burford proclaiming it was the ‘best Christmas present he ever had’.

The couple, who would have marked 65 years married this Christmas Eve, moved to Witney and lived in a house belonging to the gasworks in High Street after tying the knot.

After about 30 years there the couple moved to Cogges.

They had one son together, Lesley, who is now 62.

Mr Burford’s funeral was held on November 14.

A fire engine was part of the funeral cortege and firefighters from Oxfordshire formed a guard of honour at the crematorium.

His ashes will be scattered at sea, as per his request.

Mr Burford is survived by his wife Angela and son Lesley.