Meathman's Diary: Pausing to remember a local hero

Anyone who walks across the New Bridge (which links Navan town with Athlumney) on a regular basis will have noticed a plaque on the wall at the corner on the Dublin road side of the crossing.

The plaque has an inscription on it: “In Tribute to Firefighter Laurence Smyth who bravely served the people of County Meath and lost his life at this place on 4th May 1941. May his courage and sacrifice be remembered.”

But what happened on that early summer’s day 1941 that led to the untimely passing of Laurence? A look back at the Meath Chronicle from that time revealed how he had been involved in a training routine with the Navan Fire Brigade early on the morning of the above date, a Saturday.

Laurence - who was from Emmet Terrace and was described “as a skilled labourer and a member of the Brigade”- suffered a fatal fall from a “telescopic ladder” during the training stint. The tragic incident was witnessed by several people including his colleagues. “The ladder, which was facing the gable of Walshe’s mill, seems to have toppled from the base and crashed on to the electric wire connecting the main cables with Messers Walshe’s mill,” the newspaper reported.

Laurence, it was estimated, fell about 16 feet. Described as “heavily unconscious” he was taken to the Richmond Hospital in Dublin where, sadly, he died in the early hours of Sunday morning. He was 38. “A wave of sorrow passed over Navan on Sunday morning when it was learned that Larry Smith had died,” the Chronicle report added.

“The poignancy of the tragedy is the more intense in that his wife died about a year ago, and he leaves eight children whose ages range from eighteen to one year.”

Laurence was also described as “highly intelligent, industrious and reliable, in fact a model man in every respect.”

The plaque that commemorates the events of that tragic morning long ago is a reminder of how living among us, in everyday life, are true heroes.

Laurence was clearly a devoted family man who also wanted to do something for the community – to be of some assistance to his neighbours in their hour of need - and lost his life in the process. It is highly unlikely that he got any kind of financial reward for his time with the fire brigade.

There are many who do something similar every day; people who face down danger and sacrifice a lot in the service of others including, for example, nurses, gardai, river rescue personnel, medics of various kinds, fire brigade members to name just a few.

Then there are other kind of heroes – parents who devote themselves unselfishly to raising families, care workers at home, parents who work at boring jobs to ensure their loved ones have a decent life. Heroism appears in different forms.

Laurence Smyth (or Smith as he is described in the newspaper reports) was a real hero - and is rightly remembered for his unselfish contribution to his community.

- In this week's paper read the remarkable story of Brian 'Brianey' Smyth, so of Laurence Smyth. Brianey turned 100 years young this week!