As London Fire Brigade celebrate their 150th anniversary, the department has looked back on a firefighter who lost his life in an attempt to save two girls from a fire in Harlesden , 70 years ago.

Friday (February 5) marks 70 years since Fireman Frederick Davies was posthumously awarded the George Cross, who died attempting to save two girls from a fire in Harlesden.

Fireman Davies, from Shepherd’s Bush , joined the London Auxiliary Fire Service in 1939 at the age of 25.

He served at North Kensington Fire Station and later at Willesden Fire Station, where he remained during World War II.

At 1.15am on August 22, 1945, a fire broke out in a flat above a shop in Harlesden and Frederick Davies was first on the scene, informed that two children were in the front room on the second floor.

A ladder was immediately raised and before it was even in position Fireman Davies was climbing up the rungs, despite flames already coming from the windows of the second floor.

When he reached the window, he immediately tried to enter but the intensity of the fire momentarily stopped him, then entering the room with his back turned to the flames.

A colleague could see him trying to take off his tunic, apparently to wrap around and protect one of the children inside, but his hands were already too badly burned for him to do this successfully.

During this time Davies was moving around the blazing room trying to locate the children and, after a short period, he returned with a child in his arms and handed her through the window to a fellow firefighter.

He then turned back into the room to find the other child.

He was helped to the ground, the flames on his clothes were extinguished and he was taken to hospital suffering from severe burns.

The heroic firefighter died the next day from his injuries aged 32.

The two children who died were sisters aged 11 and eight.

Posthumously awarded The George Cross

The George Cross was introduced in 1940 and is made from silver, with the words 'For Gallantry' surrounding the centrepiece, the highest award for civilian gallantry.

Fireman Frederick Davies' George Cross was announced on 5 February 1946. His family were presented with the award by King George VI at Buckingham Palace later that year.

At the time, The London Gazette quoted King George VI:

"The gallantry and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Fireman Davies was of the highest order.

"He knew the danger he was facing, but with complete disregard of his own safety he made a most heroic attempt to rescue the two children. In so doing, he lost his life."

Frederick Davies' daughter, Doreen Osborne, donated the medal to London Fire Brigade in November 2009.