Page 8 - WHO'S WHO OF DUDLEY ROTARY

Brettell & Co, qualifying in 1912. During the First World War he was with the 7th Battalion
Worcestershire Regiment (Territorials) based in Dudley but which, as part of the ‘Imperial
Service Battalion’, saw numerous actions in France and then Italy, ending the War in Austria. He
rose to the rank of Captain. He lived in Stourbridge and later in Pedmore.

10 Stanley Haldane Linford GREAVES, Capt., MBE (1885-1951) (Founder
member, elected 22.5.1922; Treasurer 12.6.22 to 20.7.1925; left c.1929.)
Financial Director of A Harper, Sons and Bean Ltd (Bean Cars Ltd) of Dudley
and Tipton. Previously practising as a Chartered Accountant in the City of
London and before that was raised in Southampton. Dudley Councillor
1922-1931. Left Dudley in 1931 to become Secretary and eventually
Managing Director of the consortium Textile Machinery Makers Ltd based
in Oldham and other major industrial companies including Platt Brothers.
Awarded MBE (1919) for services with the Ministry of Munitions during the
First World War. Lived at Dixon’s Green and then Hagley Road, Edgbaston.

11 Harry Dermot GRIFFITH (1878-1944) (Founder member, elected 22.5.1922; resigned
24.11.1930.) Dental Surgeon, LDS, RCSI (Licence in Dental Surgery, graduate of the Royal College
of Surgeons in Ireland). He was brought up in Netherton, son of an Irish born doctor, and
attended Dudley Grammar School and Guy’s Hospital medical school. He qualified in 1904 and
had a practice in his own name from 1905, briefly in Wolverhampton Street and Castle Street,
then from 1910 to 1944 at High Street Dudley and High Street Cradley Heath. He was also
honorary dental surgeon to the Guest Hospital. He lived at The Manor House, High Street,
Kingswinford and then Greensforge Lane, Stourton. He and his wife were keen members of the
Dudley & District Canine Association, breeding and showing alsatians.

12 Thomas (‘Tom’) HANSON (1881-1927) (Founder member, elected 22.5.1922; died 14.1.1927
aged 45 whilst still a member.) Brewer. Director of Julia Hanson & Sons Ltd,
wine and spirit merchants and brewers, of Tower Street, Dudley and
proprietors of numerous licensed properties in the district. (He was
grandson of Julia Hanson, son of Thomas Piddocke Hanson and nephew of
William Hanson, each of whom in turn was managing director of the
company.) He died after being operated on for appendicitis, performed at
his home. He attended Dudley Grammar School but left when he was only
13. In the First World War he was a lieutenant in the Motor Transport
Section of the Army Service Corps and saw action on the Continent. In 1917
he was invalided home suffering from shell shock. He was a Dudley councillor from 1922 until
his death; Chairman of Dudley Conservative Association; a performing member of Dudley
Operatic Society; Chairman of the Criterion Cinema Company; and member of Dudley golf and
cricket clubs. His home was in Himley Avenue and latterly in Wordsley.

13 Joseph Leonard HILLMAN, JP OBE (1891-1974) (Founder member, elected 22.5.1922 but
regarded as having joined 9.5.1922. President 1932-33. Made Honorary
Member 29.7.1946 as the only Founder Member still in the club and in
recognition of his past services to the Club and the Community. He remained
as honorary member until his death in 1974.) Leather goods manufacturer.
Director of J & A Hillman Ltd, industrial belting and fancy leather goods
manufacturers of Trindle Road (Hillman-Douglas Ltd from 1967.) At the age
of 20 - about the time he fell into a tank of tanning liquor; he made sure he
never did it again! - he was already an Assistant Manager in the family-
owned firm. He was a Dudley Councillor for at least 25 years from 1927,
serving as Mayor 1935-6 and 1936-7, and an Alderman from 1937. He was a Dudley magistrate