A FORMER fireman who turned charity worker has died.

Mr David Stockall, 66, of Netherton, spent almost 20 years as a firefighter in both Elland and Huddersfield.

And it was after his retirement that he became involved with charities helping the children who survived the horrors of the war in Bosnia.

Mr Stockall was brought up in a children’s home in Dark Lane, Almondbury, and was adopted at the age of four by former Examiner chief reporter Mr Douglas Stockall.

He attended Royds Hall High School at Paddock and then determined on a career with the fire brigade.

But his initial application ended in rejection as his chest measurement fell below the required limit. Undeterred, Mr Stockall embarked on a rigorous exercise routine and built himself up to get into the brigade at the second time of asking.

His first posting was to Elland but he spent most of his career serving with Red Watch at Huddersfield Fire Station.

He suffered a serious hand injury while helping to fight a huge blaze which gutted the Heywoods store in Market Street, Huddersfield, in November 1967 but remained in the brigade until 1982.

It was in 1994 that he became involved with the Yorkshire-based charity Heart Felt, who were working to provide aid to survivors of the conflict in Bosnia.

Mr Stockall made a number of trips to Bosnia and to Poland with aid convoys.

He was a keen athlete in his younger days and also a big snooker fan, travelling to The Crucible in Sheffield for the world finals.

Mr Stockall leaves two daughters, Elizabeth and Katharine, and two grandchildren, Toby and Sam.

A funeral service was held yesterday at Huddersfield Crematorium.