Sam Campbell’s Farewell

By Joe Harkins

On a lovely sunny day in April a group of REA members congregated in the Ramada Hotel in Ingram Street, Glasgow (the old Ingram Hotel ) at 12.30 . Prior to this an email and letter had been sent out to every REA member informing them that ex-Central fire station stalwart Sam Campbell was leaving to go down south to Chippenham to stay with his niece Elizabeth. About 40 of our members turned up for a buffet lunch laid on by Elizabeth, who turned out to be as sunny and beautiful as the weather outside that day.

Elizabeth and her brother Campbell greeted all the guests with a smile, a handshake and a complimentary drink, as Sam sat at his table and warmly welcomed each and every one who arrived. All the old friends and comrades quickly settled down and went into overdrive as the hose and smoke-filled memories filled the room – along, of course, with the hilarious jokes and anecdotes which are so much a part of any meeting of old friends and colleagues. Friends like Charlie Stewart, Hughie Welsh, Bill MacDonald, Bill Cook, Bob Kelly, Norman Thompson, Les Ruthven, Willie Graham and Enoch Humphries turned up, and many more met each other, some seeing friends for the first time in over 40 years. Phone numbers and addresses were exchanged by some members to keep in touch.

The Ramada laid on an excellent buffet lunch which was enjoyed by all and quite a few members brought along their good ladies, such as Eugene O’Callaghan and Bob Smart and a few others, which all helped to give the event a more family feeling. A few short speeches were given to thank everyone for coming along and wish all the best to Sam in this new chapter in his life. Joe Smith gave the first speech followed by Bill Wilson then I was invited to say a few words before Elizabeth finished off the speeches by thanking all for making the day a memorable one for Sam.

Quite a few gifts were then presented to Sam by Jim Smith,Wallace Branch,   ANO  and Jimmy Rexter with framed prints of the old Glasgow stations, the old Central station photo and a book on old Central Glasgow togeterh with a lapel pin in the shape of a fire helmet,  being warmly appreciated by Sam. Although Sam is moving away it doesn’t mean he is losing touch. He will still receive the email messages, the magazines etc from the REA to keep him informed of all that is happening.

An excellent time was had by all, with the family being especially pleased at the high turnout  - another example of the REA fulfilling its main aim of bringing old friends and colleagues back together again for mutual enjoyment. As Jimmy Rexter said on the day  “It’s great to see so many old friends together in the one place…. And there’s not a coffin in sight !” Says it all really about the  REA.

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