Long-serving officer kept his city moving

By akerr

Les Ashley

A RESPECTED Lichfield man who gave years of service to city residents has died at the age of 96.

Vincent Andrews worked as Lichfield District Council's maintenance transport officer, the culmination of a long career spent helping to keep the city on the move.

Mr Andrews was born at Sandfields, Lichfield, in 1913 and attended Holy Cross Roman Catholic School until he was 14, the leaving age at the time.

He was interested in anything mechanical and was apprenticed as a motor mechanic at the then Lichfield Rural District Council (LRDC), where his father worked as a carpenter. At that time the council had just two motor vehicles.

As the years progressed Mr Andrews became very skilful in repairing and servicing the council's cars, lorries and even the one ambulance it had until the NHS took over in 1948.

He met his wife, Alice, in 1937 and the couple had two daughters, Jean and Pauline.

Since Mr Andrews was employed by LRDC he was not called up for military service.

He did, however, become a member of the local civil defence and served for more than 50 years in the British Red Cross Society, reaching the rank of officer and helping in the local blood transfusion service.

During the war many wounded service personnel were brought to Lichfield Trent Valley Railway Station to be taken to hospitals throughout the area, and with his knowledge of first aid Mr Andrews helped organise and drive ambulances to their various destinations.

When Lichfield City Council and Lichfield Rural District Council merged, he was appointed Lichfield District Council's maintenance transport officer.

Mr Andrews retired in 1978 and taught himself to be a silversmith.

During his retirement, Mr Andrews also became a member of Beacon Probus Club and worked as a volunteer at St Mary's Centre.