British firefighter barred from dream navy job tells of disappointment

A young British man has told The Connexion of his disappointment at being barred from his dream of joining France’s elite navy firefighters after he was turned down for French citizenship.

Archie Morrissey, 23, whose family moved to France when he was three, grew up in grew up in Haute-Savoie, speaks fluent French, and considers France his home, yet an administrative decision has put his long-held dream on hold.

“I’ve wanted to join the navy since my firefighter colleagues told me about it,” he said.

“I looked into it and thought it would be a great match for me. I’ve been denied citizenship, so I’m now in touch with people who are contacting ministers to try and look at my case again.”

Born in London to British parents who moved to Les Carroz d’Arâches for seasonal work, Mr Morrissey’s family never returned to the UK.

What was meant to be a short stay became permanent, and the family settled in the Vallée du Giffre, where Mr Morrissey grew up alongside French classmates and friends.

Now, he wants to join the Bataillon de marins-pompiers de Marseille, a prestigious French navy firefighting unit.

Candidates must be French nationals and under 25, leaving him just two years to resolve his citizenship status.

He added: “I don’t see what makes me different from my friends who are applying to the Paris fire brigade.

“We grew up together. The only thing that’s different is where I was born.”

His application for French naturalisation was recently rejected, with authorities citing “insufficient and unstable financial resources.”

Applicants must demonstrate financial stability and integration into society, a requirement that can be difficult for young people at the start of their careers.

Mr Morrissey has recently been working as a council multi-task worker, earning above the Smic, but without fonctionnaire status – which is also reserved to French and EU citizens – a factor which may have added to the perception of his work as insufficiently stable.

He used to be a member of the young firefighters’ scheme and also volunteers as a firefighter.

Friends and supporters have said Archie embodies the values France seeks in new citizens: he has completed his education locally, built his life here, and considers France his home.

“I’ve trained for this. I’ve prepared physically and mentally,” he said. “Everything in my life has been leading towards this goal.”

He has the option to appeal the naturalisation decision or reapply if his financial situation changes.