Preece Family Tree

SECOND OFFICER OF NOTTINGHAM FIRE BRIGADE.

APPOINTMENT OF A DUDLEY APPLICANT.

Out of 53 applicants for the position of second officer of the Nottingham Fire Brigade, which has been vacant since the promotion of Inspector Mumby to the position of superintendent, the Watch Committee yesterday (as briefly announced last night) selected Mr. John Stokes, A.M.S.E., who is at present engineer and second officer at Dudley.

In making their selection the committee were influenced by the feeling that the modern motor fire enginers demand a very high degree of knowledge in technical engineering, and this appears to be Mr. Stokes's speciality. He is only 31 years of age, and is a son of a former superintendent of the Wolverhampton Fire Brigade. He has had experience in the "Star" Motor Works at Wolverhampton and in the electricity department of the Walsall Corporation, where he became a qualified electrical engineer, and was also a local prize man in the London City and Guilds technology examination in motor engineering.

During the war Mr. Stokes served as first-class engineering mechanic under Commander Sampson, D.S.O., on the Ben-My-Chree, and had charge of the engineers who had to attend to aeroplanes, being specially commended for the ability he showed in keeping engines supplied with spare parts. After that he went to the Guy Engineering Works at Wolverhampton, which make motor chassis. He will have the rank of chief inspector in his new position.

The selection was made by a sub-committee consisting of the Chairman (Ald. McCraith), Ald. Pendleton, and Mr. H. Bradwell.