Relatives of a firefighter killed attempting to rescue two young girls from a blazing building are being urged to come forward and help salute the fallen hero.

Fred Davies died on August 22 1945, fighting a raging fire that broke out in a house in Craven Park Road, Harlesden.

The 32-year-old father-of-one, who was based at Willesden Fire Station, bravely entered the burning building with no safety equipment but was severely burnt and died of his injuries the following day.

For his sheer bravery, Mr Davies became the only peacetime fireman to be presented with the George Cross - the highest civilian award for gallantry, introduced by King George VI in 1940.

Historical researcher Terry Hissey, 34, from Harrow, is now searching for members of the fireman's family, so he can give the hero a proper send-off and write about the tale in his latest book.

He said: "I want to speak to anyone in the west London area who knew him or anyone who was there that night in August 1945.

"Fred was in his last week of service and was leaving the brigade to become a bus conductor.

"On that fateful evening he was in the watch room when a shout came in that a three-storey building was on fire.

"Fred immediately volunteered to go and help tackle the blaze. As soon as he arrived he climbed up a ladder into a blazing second floor bedroom to rescue the two trapped girls.

"He was seen to take off his tunic, presumably to wrap it around the children, but his hands were too badly burned.

"He then walked into the room and after a short period he returned with a child in his arms and handed her out of the window. He then turned back into the room to find the other child."

According to eyewitness reports Mr Davies was engulfed by the flames and flung himself out of the window with all of his clothes alight.

He was taken to hospital but died, along with the two girls.

The firefighter, who joined the brigade in 1937 and served throughout the war, was buried in Kensal Green cemetery, but strangely his epitaph carries no mention of the heroic award.

Mr Hissey and the Friends of Kensal Green cemetery want to re-dedicate his gravestone so it features the prestigious accolade, and will be holding a commemorative ceremony on the anniversary of his death.

Mr Hissey added: "It would be great to invite the family to the rededication service.

"He was a very brave individual to go into the building with no breathing apparatus, considering the danger he was facing. It's a very tragic story and we want as many people as possible to be involved with the service."

Mr Davies lived his married life in Fourth Avenue, Queens Park and had four brothers who all served in the military.

Anyone who is related to the fireman or knew him should contact the Wembley Observer on 020 8956 8196 or send an e-mail to tomlawrence@trinitysouth.co.uk

Fred Davies life history:

Mr Davies' parents were taxi driver Thomas and Ellen Davies.

His pre-war family home was at 23 Goodwin Road, Shepherd's Bush.

His brothers were Sidney,Victor and George who went to Moberly School and Marylebone Grammar School. His sisters became Mrs J Tomlin, Mrs A Gosden and Mrs A Giles.

Mr Davies married Annie

Frances Baylis in 1935 and they lived at 36 Fourth Avenue, Queen's Park.

Their only daughter Doreen married Patrick Enright in 1963 and had a daughter called Tracy, who married Kevin E Raymen in 1982.

Their son Daniel Raymen was born in in June 1987 in Hillingdon.

Mr Davies joined the fire service 1939, serving at Willesden Fire Station.