Page 110 - WHO'S WHO OF DUDLEY ROTARY

increasing interest in psychiatry so in October 1956 took the post of psychiatric registrar at the
Three Counties Hospital, Arlesley, Bedfordshire. In 1959 he returned to Wolverhampton to
begin private practice, also acting as part-time consultant in child-psychiatry to Staffordshire
County Council. He died suddenly in Paris aged only 49.

353 Norman Leslie HODGETTS (1901-1978) (inducted 16.7.1956; left June 1965.) Printing -
Commercial. He was with Phoenix Printerie Limited of Newhall Street, Dudley, presumably as a
director. The firm was renamed Poultney Phoenix Press Limited in 1962. (Two other directors,
Philip Steatham and Walter Hammond, followed him as club members - #383 and #403
respectively.) He was born and lived in the Halesowen area for much of his life but retired to
Hayling Island, Hampshire soon after leaving the club. He had a varied career. At the age of 16
he joined the Post Office as a wireless operator. A year later, in April 1919, he signed up for 8
years with the RAF, starting as a boy electrician and finishing as a Leading Aircraftman. His
service overseas included time in Palestine. In 1930 he set up in business with a friend as
Hodgetts-Lloyd Ltd, dealers in furnishings, gramophones but particularly in wireless sets.
However it appears that during the last War he contributed to the war effort as an aero engine
fitter, perhaps at Longbridge, before turning his hand to commercial printing.

354 Ronald (‘Ron’) Alfred BROOKS (1913-1994) (Inducted 3.12.1956; President 1966-67; Governor
of Rotary District 121, 1974-75; died early 1994 whilst still a member.)
General merchandise - Variety Stores. He was Manager of the F W
Woolworth (Woolworths’) store in Dudley High Street from 1957 until
retiring in January 1973. In fact he spent his entire working life with
Woolworths. Although born in Handsworth he started at the Colwyn Bay
store at the age of 16, then moved in turn to branches at Rhyl, Chester,
Northwich, Warrington, Wallasey and Blackpool. In 1940 he joined the
RAF Equipment Branch, progressing from Pilot Officer to Flight Lieutenant.
On discharge at the end of the War he rejoined Woolworths. He served
at Driffield, east Yorkshire from 1946-52, then at Bridlington 1952-57 before moving to Dudley.
His home was at Oakham Road, Dudley until 1971, then in Wightwick, Wolverhampton until
1985, and finally in Albrighton.

355 John Verney HIRST, Major (1906-1997) (Inducted 4.2.1957; President
1965-66; left in 1984/85.) Heating Engineer. Until about 1955 he was a
Director of W Dickens & Co. (Heating Engineers) Ltd of Wolverhampton
Street, Dudley, which he may have joined as a draughtsman before the last
War. He then established a rival business in his own name which was
incorporated in 1961 as John Hirst (Heating) Co. This was based in
Occupation Street, Dudley until 1971 and then in Hellier Street. Born in
Smethwick, he lived in the Birmingham area all his life, latterly in Streetley
and Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield. During the last War, as Major Hirst, he
commanded ‘A’ Company, 50th Battalion Birmingham Home Guard. An active supporter of the
Conservative party he served as President of the Perry Barr Ward Association for at least 25
years from 1947 and represented Perry Barr on Birmingham City Council for a few years in the
1950s.

356 George Vernon Webb WALKER (1911-1991) (Inducted 11.3.1957; resigned 15.9.1958 due to loss
of qualification, but it was hoped he could rejoin Dudley or another Rotary club.) Safe
Manufacturing. He was with Stephen Cox & Son Ltd of the Dudley Road Safe Works, Sedgley,
but in what capacity is not recorded. However he was a qualified chartered accountant so
perhaps he was finance director. He was a native of West Bromwich and a former member of
the West Bromwich Rotary Club but his home was in Quinton from 1950.