Page 91 - WHO'S WHO OF DUDLEY ROTARY

285 Dr Justin Francis MARTIN (1912-1949) (Elected c.5.1947; but became
seriously ill and died 13.3.1949 whilst still a member aged just 36.) Medical
Officer of Health for Dudley from February 1947, having been Deputy
Medical Officer of Health at Wakefield. He was born at Ballisodare in
County Sligo, Eire and qualified in Ireland in 1936. In 1938 he was resident
medical officer at Wordsley Hospital but moved to the City Hospital,
Birmingham where he obtained a Diploma in Public Health in 1939. During
the War he served for five years in the Medical Branch of the Royal Air
Force, finishing with the rank of Squadron Leader.

286 Donald BOWLES (1913-1983) (Elected 9.6.1947; resigned 13.12.48.) General Manager of Dudley
Zoo, appointed in January 1947. He left three years later to become Director-Secretary of
Edinburgh Zoo. Born in Epsom, Surrey he studied at Bristol University and gained a BSc degree
in Zoology (1935) followed by a Diploma in Education (1937), but his first job was as a
commercial traveller. Before coming to Dudley he married in Bristol and lived nearby so it is
likely he was associated with Bristol Zoo. His death was recorded in Bristol.

287 Harry HARPER (1911-1990) (Inducted 24.11.1947; left October 1958.) Fruit & Vegetable
Retailing and Florist. Director and later Chairman of H Harper & Sons (Dudley) Ltd, greengrocers
and fruiterers of Fountain Arcade, Dudley. He took over from his father ‘Harry’ (Henry Harper),
the founder of the business, on his death in in 1938. Harry junior retired to near Poole, Dorset
in 1967 and voluntarily wound up the business in 1970.

288 Charles William JOHNSON (1900-1978) (Inducted 1.12.1947; resigned
19.7.1965 shortly before retiring to Stafford.) Police Service. Chief
Constable of Dudley Borough Police Force from August 1946 until 1 April
1966 when several local forces merged to form the West Midlands
Constabulary. He came from Blackpool and succeeded the previous Chief
Constable James Campbell, club member #129. In the force he set up the
mobile and communications branch, detective branch, women’s police
and crime prevention branch, and was instrumental in the provision of the
town’s first free car parks. He instituted a cycling proficiency scheme for
children in the borough, a Tufty Club to teach road safety to under eights, and Advanced and
Learner Driver courses, all of which became national schemes. For distinguished service he was
awarded the King's Police and Fire Services Medal in June 1952, and in the same year was made
a serving brother of the order of St John of Jerusalem. In 1962 he was promoted to officer
brother of the order. He revived the Dudley branch of the RSPCA in 1947 and for many years
was Honorary Secretary and later Chairman. He was born in Caynham near Ludlow. His first job
was with Hereford city treasurer’s department from 1915 to 1920 but during that time had
submarine and minesweeping service with the Royal Navy, enlisting at the age of 17. In 1920 he
joined the then Hereford city police force, transferring to Blackpool in 1924. There he rose
through the ranks from constable to Deputy Chief Constable before taking charge at Dudley. In
retirement he moved from Dixons Green to Stafford, on the edge of Cannock Chase.

289 William (‘Billy’) Howes HAND (1907-1993) (Elected as an Additional Active Member [additional
to Maurice Kennedy] c.11.1947; left during 1951/52.) ‘Theatres.’ Musical Director of Dudley
Hippodrome until May 1950 after which, for the next 8 or 9 years, he operated a Music Salon in
Wolverhampton Street, Dudley and his classification was changed to ‘Musical Instruments -
Retail’. Whilst at the Hippodrome his orchestra regularly broadcast on the BBC radio. On leaving
the Hippodrome he became a violinist with the BBC Midland Light Orchestra - and latterly the
leader of the orchestra - until 1970. He presented the William Hand Cup to the Dudley Festival
of Music to be awarded annually to the best violin or viola soloist. He was born in Netherton