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As Regards individual members, the following joined the
forces. The first two mentioned gave their lives for their country
and are on the Roll of Honour.
Mr. James Friar. Junior Clerk in the Public Health Office.
and
Mr. Brian T. Smith. Clerk in the Public Health Office.
Each joined the Royal Air Force and each gained his Pilot's
"Wings."
Jimmy Friar, at one time the youngest pilot in the Service, was
a Flight-Sergeant Pilot and fought a Spitfire over the Channel
and Northern France during the dark days of the war, and then
proceeded to North Africa, where he was killed in action on 15th
November, 1942.
Brian Smith was a Sergeant-Pilot in the Royal Air Force and
was pilot of a Lancaster. In 1943 he was engaged in operational
duties over enemy waters and was reported missing. No further
news of him or his crew being received, he was eventually reported
as killed on active service.
Their loss was felt very keenly by all their colleagues. They
were the youngest members of the Staff and were bright, cheery
lads, with very good prospects, and possessed all those delightful
characteristics associated in one's mind with Air Force Pilots.
We shall always remember them with honour and affection.
Mr. Percy G. Smith, Senior Clerk in the Public Health Office,
joined the Pioneer Corps, and became a Regimental Quartermaster
Sergeant. He saw service in North Africa and Sicily.
Mr. R. A. G. James, General Assistant Sanitary Inspector,
served with the R.A.M.C. in the Airborne Division, and was later
given a Commission in the Pioneer Corps. He saw service in
North Africa and the Middle East.
Miss A. M. Edwards, Health Visitor and School Nurse, who
was a member of the Territorial Army Nursing Service, joined the
Army Nursing Service and carried out her duties in North Africa,
Italy and Austria.
In addition, a part-time Officer, Dr. Gerald Slot, Physician to
the Rheumatism Clinic, joined the R.A.M.C. and served in the
Middle East, North Africa and Southern Europe.
As regard the rest of the Staff:—
Dr. Phyllis Griffiths, Assistant Medical Officer of Health and
Assistant School Medical Officer, was fully occupied in the Clinics,
both School and Maternity and Child Welfare, which were kept
open for all who might require our help or advice. She did much
valuable work in helping to keep these Clinics alive during the
dark days of the war and consequently could not be spared for
Civil Defence work, except for that of fire-watching.
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