BOB Graham from Bury jets all over the world as a leading fire expert.

As Assistant County Fire Officer for Greater Manchester he had operational command of 41 stations and over 2,000 firefighters protecting 2.5 million people.

He's also well known as the founder of the National Fire Safety Charity for Children (NFSCC) with its Welephant mascot, and the Queen honoured him with an MBE.

After years of making headlines, father-of-two Bob retired in 1993 after 31 years of service.

But when the BEN caught up with him, we found him still as busy and unassuming as ever . . .

When asked if he would pose for a photograph, he said: "Just put a picture of Welephant with the story."

It's typical of someone who has achieved so much in life, yet has always stayed so modest.

Even in his private life, he tends to play down things.

Both his children graduated with first class degrees but Bob - although he is obviously proud of their achievements - just says: "I don't know where they get it from, they don't get it from me!"

The famous firefighter nearly never made into the service, though, as he started his working life in the Navy.

"I went to sea because my older brother had gone to sea . . . I didn't have a clue what it was like," Bob laughed.

After seven years, he joined the fire brigade and had a meteoric career with many highlights, including his campaign for the introduction of safer furniture upholstery which led to life saving legislation and earned him the prestigious gong.

At the age of 59, he is still involved with fire prevention as executive director of The Alliance for Consumer Fire Safety in Europe.

The Alliance's mission is to prevent accidents, injury and death resulting from fire - often caused by an appliance in the home.

"Fire hasn't changed at all, but there are new hazards," said Bob.

"TVs for example - they are not as safe as they used to be because they have taken the flame-retardant out of the encasing."

The Alliance hopes to prevent that the harmonisation of such articles across Europe means a lowering of the safety standard, Bob said.

"We shouldn't harmonise down to their low standard," he warned.

Earlier this year, work took him to New Orleans, but Bob isn't impressed by travel.

"My son and I go walking up in the Lakes - the farther away from there, the more I don't like it," he said.

He is, however, committed to the cause.

Since his retirement, he has been called to numerous courts to act as an expert witness.

It's "fascinating", and "not like work to me," he commented. "I have always liked the investigating side of fire."

The NFSCC takes up another portion of his time.

He is pleased with the charity's brand new cartoon style website - a type of media he hadn't come across until now - but resisted attempts to change the mascot, saying it would have been "a mistake" to do away with Welephant.

Instead, the firefighting elephant has been given a makeover and now sports the latest uniform and helmet, as in London's Burning.

"I don't know how they have done it, but it makes him more appealing to young kids," said Bob.

Six years into retirement, he doesn't miss brigade life, explaining: " I enjoyed it but I always kept in my mind there's more to life than the fire service."

When the good work is done, he'll reach for his oil paints to create a land or seascape.

"It's good therapy, very relaxing," said fireman Bob, who seems the epitome of calm and perfectly suited to being a fireman with his ability to keep his cool even in the fiercest blaze.

At other times, Bob will meet up with former and serving firemen for a game of golf.

But although he likes the sport, his attitude to it is the same as to his former profession: "I don't let it rule my life."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.