Also known as: Jock.
Arthur Drummond Rice was born on 22nd June 1905. His first wife having died, he married Gertrude Bacon who also had a long career in the Fire Service, including the war years. Being widowed once again in the early 1980’she was devastated, in 2001 when his only child, his daughter June also died before him.
He was the youngest of eight brothers and sisters. Notwithstanding his small stature, he joined the Seaforth Highlanders and soon made his mark as an athlete. He became a Physical Training Instructor, and was an army boxing champion, ran and jumped for the army, and won many cups and prizes, including some in the highland games. On being posted in 1927, from Fort George to 1st Battalion at Aldershot, Hi CO Major Stewart, said of him “He is an honest, sober, hard working man, an excellent PTI, and a good athlete who won the Depot championship, winning the mile, 880 yards, 440 yards and 2nd place in the high jump, long jump and hurdles.’
At the close of the 1920’s he joined the fire service, maintaining his prowess as an athlete and representing them in championships on numerous occasions, winning many medals and prizes. He had a distinguished career and became a section/chief officer. Until the outbreak of war, he was awarded bravery medals for saving people and animals in dire situations, and during the conflict he was involved throughout the Blitz in East London, and received a number of citations for bravery.
When he left the fire service in the 1960’s, he joined Parke Davies [later Warner Lambert, now Pfizer] as Chief Safety officer, until his retirement.
In his retirement he (and his wife Trudy) were active members of the Dorset and West Branch of the London fire Brigade Retired Members Association. For much of the time, and until he died he was Branch Chairman.
In 2003, after a mysterious accident in an arm chair, his hip was broken and he had horrific wounds to his lower body. The hip was never repaired and the wounds took all of eight months to heal, and he was wheel chair bound for the rest of his time.
During the 30 weeks he was in hospital, he was very grateful to have had regular visits from members of the Branch; none more frequent than Les Powell the Branch secretary. His attitude towards everything he tackled in his long life was “I won’t be beaten.” He was a wonderful man, an inspiration and example to us all. He died on Christmas Day 2003 aged 98.
Added by: Hannah Williams on 26 May 2009.
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Every year, thousands of fire fighters are injured whilst protecting the public. Every 30 seconds in the UK, fire fighters are called to an incident, putting their lives on the line, and often sustaining physical injuries whilst carrying out their duties. The Fire Fighters Charity is here for fire fighters during their times of need, and assists thousands of individuals every year, by providing pioneering treatment and support services.