Page 3 - WHO'S WHO OF DUDLEY ROTARY

I am pleased to have compiled this biographical directory of the past and present members of the
Rotary Club of Dudley to mark the Club’s Centenary in June 2022.
Little did I imagine, when I started on this venture some years ago, that I would be able to account for
almost every one of the nearly 600 members who have joined and left since the first official meeting
on 12 June 1922, as no official Register exists … and I have been amazed by just how much detail I have
been able to glean about their life and achievements.
The task has involved going through the Club’s early minute books deposited at Dudley Archives and
more recent records held by me as Club Archivist; consulting local sources such as Blocksidge’s
Almanack and Kelly’s directories; trawling the extensive online records held by Findmypast, Ancestry
and other genealogical sites, which include census and military records and the especially useful
historic newspapers; countless hours spent searching for information in all corners of the internet; and
of course obtaining life stories directly from members, relatives and friends.
The Who’s Who shows what a wide range of occupations and interesting personalities have been
represented in the Club over the past 100 years. I stand in awe at the achievements and influence of
many of the members, particularly in the earlier decades when Rotarians played a major part in the
civic and cultural life of Dudley and helped shape the town’s development, as well as being leaders of
major industrial, business and professional organisations around the district. Their stories are well
worth reading.

Colin Knipe
June 2022