A former firefighter and his GP wife have been named as among the eight Britons killed in the Easter Sunday terror attacks in Sri Lanka. Bill Harrop and Dr Sally Bradley from Manchester had been on holiday in the country when they were killed in the blast that struck the Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Mr Harrop's son Gavin, who had joined them on the trip, survived the blasts as he was staying in a different hotel. Assistant County Fire Officer Dave Keelan, of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, paid tribute to his former colleague who was decorated for his role in the aftermath of the 1996 IRA attack on Manchester. He said: "This is devastating news and the thoughts of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are with Bill and Sally's families. "Bill served here for 30 years, retiring at the end of 2012. He was a much a loved and respected colleague and friend. He will be greatly missed." Bill Harrop in 2012 when he was Stockport Borough Commander of GMFRS Credit: MEN media The couple had been living in the Australian city of Perth since 2013 where Dr Bradley was practising medicine, but were due to return to the UK soon. They had bought a retirement home in the Cotswolds, Dr Bradley's nephew Jonathan Bradley said. He described her as a "true daughter of Manchester" who had worked as a GP in Salford, a director of public health in Manchester and as a consultant. She was sister to Labour peer Lord Keith Bradley, former MP for Manchester Withington who paid tribute to her Monday, describing her as "truly a bright light in many people's lives. "The light may have been cruelly distinguished for no reason or justification, but she will always live in our hearts and the memories she provided will be forever cherished. I, and my family, will miss her more than words can articulate." Read more | Sri Lanka attacks Other relatives described Dr Bradley as "kind, loyal and hardworking", saying "she lived for adventure". The family said in a statement: "She was the personification of joy that life could bring if you approached it with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. She dedicated her professional life to public service and was a true daughter of Greater Manchester." "Their aim was always to experience life to the fullest. Kindred spirits they travelled the world together, safe in each other's arms and with smiles across their faces. "They were the heartbeat of their families and the inspiration in their lives. They will be forever sorely missed, but never forgotten." Dr Bradley was the director of clinical services at Rockingham Peel Group in Perth. Executive director Kathleen Smith told 6PR radio: "She absolutely loved living in Australia. She felt very at home here. "They (Dr Bradley and Mr Harrop) were soulmates, they just lived for each other. "He had two boys, which Sally took on as her step-sons. She talked about them as if they were her own." No group has claimed the attacks, but Sri Lankan officials have named little-known Islamic extremist organisation National Thowfeek Jamaath. The seven suicide bombers were all Sri Lankan citizens but the group is believed to have links with foreign terrorist networks. At least 290 people were killed in the explosions and more than 500 were wounded. Twenty-four people have since been arrested in a series of raids.
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