A former police officer has called for street names in Inverness to be named to honour fallen emergency service workers.
Dave Conner has highlighted the case for new city roads be given greater consideration and named after those who died serving in the line of duty.
In total nine men have been killed in action either in the Inverness area or who hailed from the Highland capital, spanning across the police, fire service and coastguard.
Dave Conner said: “It came to me first off a few years ago when they were deciding what to name the street running between Milton of Leys and Western Inshes.
“I suggested the idea then that the street be named after the folk who had given their lives in the line of duty, but I was told by the council that it is a community council decision to determine the name.
“A lot of streets around Inverness are named after trees and places with no significance to the area.
“Instead of that, and to avoid the debate over names, such as has gone on recently, consideration should be given to use better inspiration for street names.
“What better way than to honour those who gave their lives in the line of service?
“There are some memorials to some of them, but not all. It makes sense to remember these men locally.”
A row erupted in recent weeks over the potential naming of a Culloden street.
The proposed naming came as the allocation of 12 new street names was being considered, with Cumberland Crescent put forward in reference to the notorious Duke of Cumberland, who led the slaughter of Highlanders following the battle of Culloden in 1746, in which 1,500 Jacobites were killed.
Highland Councillors vetoed the naming of the street, instead referring the decision back to the community council for further consideration.
Mr Conner said: “It is extremely important, especially in this day and age, that we remember these people who have given their lives.
“Roddy MacLeod, who is one of the firefighters who was tragically killed, was actually a school pal of mine which makes it all the more poignant to me.
“I grew up with Roddy and he stayed just around the corner. I hadn’t seen him in many years and he told me he was joining the fire service – I was so delighted for him. Unfortunately, I never saw him again after that.
“There is a story behind each name and it is extremely important that we remember each and every one of them.”
Mr Conner’s personal plea has been praised by local members of the community, with Inverness Central councillor Bet McAllister saying: “I think it’s a fantastic idea and I don’t know why we haven’t thought of it before.
“It makes so much sense and those who gave their lives deserve to be remembered.”
The names
Those who died in the line of duty are:
POLICE
(1938) – Constable John BROWN, 21, Inverness-shire Constabulary – Struck by a vehicle while dealing with a road accident at Allanfearn. He later died in the RNI Community Hospital from his injuries the following day
(1944) – Special Constable Andrew PERRIE, 47, Inverness Burgh Police – Collapsed and died within Castle Wynd Police Station after assisting regular colleagues deal with a serious disorder in Inverness Town Centre
(1968) – Detective Sgt Evan LUMSDEN, 37, and Constable Iain RITCHIE, 21, Inverness Burgh Police Sub Aqua Team – Both drowned in the Caledonian Canal at Corpach while conducting underwater searches for a missing person
COASTGUARD
All three members of the Coastguard were tragically killed in the 1894 Kessock Ferry disaster, after a stricken ferry capsized in extremely stormy weather, with the coastguard members on board, alongside three of the ferrymen.
(1894) – Divisional Officer William HOBBS, 54, – who left a widow and eight children
(1894) – Commissioned Boatman Ruband STAITE, 40, – left a widow and five children
(1894) – James KILBY, 28, – left a widow and one child
FIRE
(1937) – Auxiliary Fireman George MacDOUGALL, 48, Inverness – Fell from a fire engine at Clachnaharry Bridge en route to fire at Beaufort Castle. Mr MacDougall was also caretaker of Castle Wynd Police Office, Inverness.
(1981) – Fireman Roderick MacLEOD, 25, Inverness – Struck by falling beams while fighting a major fire within Aberchalder Lodge, Fort Augustus.
