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Brighton General Hospital

Photos of Brighton Ambulance Service, 1946-1974

By James Type

Photo:Ambulance station at the rear of the General Hospital

Photo:Percy Type and colleague with an Austin 'Wayfarer" ambulance

Photo:Percy Type and colleague on the Banjo Groyne next to the Palace Pier

Photo:"Inspection" at Ambulance Headquarters

I'm sorry that I do not know all their names - only my father's: Percy Type (Tiny). But hopefully people will recognise some of the other faces.

The ambulances were stationed behind the General Hospital before moving into Elm Grove near the junction of Queens Park Road.

Added to the site on 26-02-06

This page was added on 26/06/2006.

Comments about this page

My father, also named John Mercer, worked on the ambulances - some names I remember him recalling were Jack Type, Johnny Hallet, Charlie Donno, Bob Foden and bosses Kimber and Sumpter. I was only a little boy of seven then, but I remember we had great Christmas parties at the station.

By John Mercer (16/06/2006)

I served with the Brighton Ambulance Service from 1965-1970. I also remember crewing with Jack (or more usually known as Percy) Type. He was always cheerful with a smile and a joke, with his cap pushed to the back of his head. When we went to answer a red call (999) he would invaribly say, "Wind her up then boy" because he preferred not to drive, as his size was a problem behind the wheel.
When Jack transferred to light duties towards the end of his service he was allocated his own sitting-case verhicle (35). If any of us had to move it we could never reach the pedals without adjusting the seat because it was so far back on the runners.
I always had great affection and respect for Jack, or Percy, Type. He was a character and a gentleman. He made me laugh!

By The Revd. Peter Allsworth (29/01/2008)

These are all the members of the service whom I can remember between 1965-1970. If I've forgotten anyone I hope they will forgive me, but it's a long time ago now since I was a Brighton Ambulanceman!

Medial Officer of Health: Dr. William Sheppard Parker

Ambulance HQ & Control
Bert (Bush) Sumpter - Chief Ambulance Officer
Edward (EK) Kimber - Deputy Chief Ambulance Officer/Chief Ambulance Officer
Ken Williams - Deputy Chief Ambulance Officer - Formerly with London Ambulance Service
Gwen Cooke - Secretary
Marjorie Eagles - Clerical Assistant
Stan Charlwood - Chief Control Officer
Larry (Sandman) Relf - Training Officer
Frank (Swoop) Hurley - Station Officer/Driving Instructor
Jock Tom - Station Officer
Angus (Mac) McKay - Station Officer
Allan Bunney - Station Officer
Charlie Donno - Station Officer

Bob Foden - Control Assistrant
Vic Martin - Control Assistrant
Peter White - Control Assistrant
Alfie Redman - Control Assistrant
Peter Spanton - Control Assistrant

Johnny Mercer - Left 1965?
Ted Johns - Left 1965?
Johnny Lichfield (Mad Johnny) - Left 1965?
Bill Wheatley - Attendant only - Retired 1966?
Bill Everett - Tilly Driver - Retired 1967?
Fred Stoner - Tilly Driver - Retired 1969?
Bert Reading - Deceased 1964?
Percy Type - Tilly Driver
Fred Mitchell - Tilly Driver - Retired 1966?
Eric Carey - Tilly Driver - Retired 1969?
Gwen Cronk - Tilly Driver
Sue Allen - P/T Tilly Driver - Left to live in Mevagissey, Cornwall - 1969
June D'Silva - P/T Tilly Driver
Hazel Halpin - P/T Tilly Driver
Barbara ? - P/T Tilly Driver
Sid Marston - Convicted of a serious offence and jailed - 1967

Blue Shift: Danny Hayes 1, Ken Newington 2, Don Booth, Charlie Genin, Ted Elliot, Duggie Brown

Red Shift: Ken Redman, Ted Williams, Ron Joseph 3, Pete Stringer 4, Charlie Lyons, Cliff Witt

Green Shift: Alan Seager, Norman Stoner, Nigel Custance 5, George Homer 6, Tony Grieg, Robin Friday

Float Shift: Peter Allsworth 7, Mike Sheppard, Joe Stowell 8, Bert Clarkson 9, John Clements 10, Dickie Brown 11, Paul Morton, Eddie Langridge

Mechanics: Dennis ?, Neville ?

Notes:
1 Danny Hayes - Left to become a traffic Warden - 1971?
2 Ken Newington - Left to go to Australia - 1969?
3 Ron Joseph - Left to join the Oxfordshire Ambulance Service - 1970's?
4 Pete Stringer - Killed in a road accident whilst off duty - 1969?
5 Nigel Custance - Died of a heart attack - 1974?
6 George Homer - Left - 1968
7 Peter Allsworth - Left to join the Montgomeryshire Ambulance Service - 1970
8 Joe Sowell - Left 1968?
9 Bert Clarkson - Left to join the New South Wales Ambulance Service, Australia - 1969
10 John Clements - Left 1969
11 Dickie Brown - A former Brighton Policeman

By Revd. Peter Allsworth (31/01/2008)

Percy/Jack Type passed away in November 1984 in the Sussex County Hospital.

By James Type (10/08/2008)

Just found this great sight . I went to school with Jennifer daughter of Nigel Custance. I remember how proud she was of her father. I would love to hear from Jennifer. I lived just around the corner in Clayton Road so knew a lot of the faces. What a great job they do. A big thanky ou to those past and present.

By Jennifer Smith now tonks (10/09/2008)

Peter Stringer (my Dad) died September 16th 1968, it was nice to come accross this site. I too remember the fantastic Christmas parties from my childhood. I met Tiny on a few occaisions and Ken Redman. I am still in touch with Patricia Brown, daughter of Doug. Seeing the photos took me back to my visits as a child. The station hasn't changed much in all those years.

By Ian Stringer (18/12/2008)

I worked out of Brighton Ambulance Station for 23 years from 1970 to 1993 and remember a lot of the faces and names above. Brighton was a great place to work, especially when the Borough Corporation ran the service and I remember my colleagues with affection and tremendous respect. I would like to trace more photos from this period, if anyone has any please contact me through my e-mail address - Brian_Basterra@btinternet.com. Many thanks

By Brian Basterra (19/01/2009)

My father, Ron Joseph did leave Brighton to work for Oxfordshire Ambulance Service in 1971. He was based at Henley and later at Slough. He took early retirement in 1984 due to ill health and died in 1988 in Brighton. Nigel Custance and his family used to live next door but one to us in Baxter Street, some other names I also recollect, mainly from the parties held at Christmas and the many times I visited the station as a boy.

By Stuart Joseph (22/02/2009)

I joined Brighton Ambulance Service in 1954 after leaving the W.R.A.F. - such happy days. I stayed for 10 years. I got married in 1963, and was the first woman to go on maternity leave. I can still see Eddie Kimber's face when I quoted the J.I.C. handbook to him. I eventually left July '64. Gwen Cronk replaced me, and the rest is history. Dear old Stan and I live virtually opposite each other in Barnett Road [he is 94 now] and often talk about the 'old times'. I very much admire today's ambulance personnel.

By Pat Bond nee French (25/07/2009)

Well done James Type starting this section. It is a fitting tribute to these unsung heroes. Here's to more comments and stories.

By John Mercer (06/01/2010)

Great pictures! My father, Bob Foden, worked at the ambulance station from as far back as I can remember (circa 1960) until he left in the 1970s. I still remember the Christmas parties, watching colour TV for the first time at the station (1970 Leeds v Chelsea cup final), and taking Dad's dinner round on Sundays from our home in Queens Park Road. I think that's Bob Foden second from the left in the last photo.

By Dale Foden (16/05/2010)

Hi Dale. Have got a photo of your father in the control room. Email me on james.type@live.co.uk & I will send a copy. Regards Jim Type

By James Type (05/08/2010)

I was overwhelmed to find this page after putting Brighton Ambulance Service in the search engine. My Dad was Stan Charlwood. I see on this page he is mentioned several times. Sadly he passed away last Sunday [26th June 2011] at RSCH after a short illness. He just made 96 - his birthday was 23rd June. It was some comfort to remember the names of some of the other ambulance personnel. If anyone wishes to make contact my email is sarah.lou49@tiscali.co.uk

By Sarah Peskett [nee Charlwood] (29/06/2011)