16/10/2026
IN MEMORIAM –ALLAN GORDON RENDELL
(16/3/1957 – 16/10/1988), Deputy Captain / Treasurer Illawong Rural Fire Brigade.
The 16th October is a sombre day of reflection for the members of Illawong Rural Fire Brigade.
This plaque is mounted on the wall of Station 20 as a tangible and emotive link to ALLAN GORDON RENDELL and the events of that day in 1988. The M1120 front bonnet emblem is from “ Ilawong 81”, a Bedford MFP Fire Truck which Allan was driving at the time of the incident which took his life.
Allan was working with fellow crew members to contain a bushfire in the Royal National Park. The brigade’s primary tanker Illawong 81 and its crew were working night shift mopping up along Lady Carrington Drive. Despite the area being dimly lit by remnant fire activity, the fire ground beyond the immediate edge of Lady Carrington was quiet and cloaked in darkness.
Allan had been delegated the task of tanker driver, whose role is to keep water flowing and inch the tanker along the trail as each metre of fire edge is blacked and cooled to prevent re-ignition. While everyone maintained a watchful eye out for dangers, little could be seen beyond the immediate area of Illawong 81. Other than the hum of the Illawong 81’s engine and pump, the night was still and a rhythm of activity kept the crew busy and focused on their task.
At approximately 8:00 pm, the calm of the night was shattered by a feared and well known sound. The crack of shearing timber signified a tree had finally succumbed to the ravages of fire and was about to fall. Hidden by darkness, a tall stout tree, some distance from the edge of the Lady Carrington Drive, cut a sway of destruction as it crashed to the ground and in doing so it struck the cabin of Illawong 81. Despite the valiant effort of fellow crew members and others from Menai Rural Fire Brigade to provide aid, Allan died as the result of injuries sustained from being trapped in the crushed cabin.
A memorial plaque ( http://goo.gl/KMXRwb ) was placed at the location of the incident, in commemoration of Allan’s sacrifice. The inscription reads:
“In memory of Allan Rendell accidently killed on this site while fighting a fire on 16-10-88
No greater thing can any man do than give up his life for another
Into the hands of our glorious Lord
We commend you Allan, our brother.
Erected by his mates from the Illawong Brigade”
Allan remains strong in our thoughts and shared history in supporting our community.
Should you visit our station or pass the site of the memorial in the Royal National Park in the future, we ask you take a moment to pause as a mark of respect and reflect on Allan’s sacrifice.
NSW RFS Illawarra Sutherland Team
NSW Rural Fire Service
