.... the Tozer family had once effectively run the Birmingham Fire Brigade until early in the war when its efficiency was found wanting. The A.R. Tozer who was dismissed was the son of the original Superintendent; in the 1930s, his brother was Second Officer and his son, another A.R., was Third Officer. This last man ("Bob") had been a close schoolboy friend of my father's. I assume that all were still serving in 1940. (This subject is also covered in a parallel thread on this forum)..................
As quoted above, Bob Tozer, Second Officer, did leave the Fire Service in 1941. The National Fire Service was formed then and when all Ranks were re-appraised, he was given that of Section Leader, roughly equivalent to being in charge of one Appliance. His salary was protected and I was told that he was the highest paid man of that new rank in the Country.
His Widow was still alive in 1974 and was invited to attend the opening of the Centenary of the Birmingham Fire Brigade/Birmingham Fire and Ambulance Service Exhibition which was arranged by the Keeper of Archaeology, Ethnography and Local History, assisted by a Senior Officer of the Fire Service, and held in Lower Ground Gallery ( Gt Charles Street Entrance) of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
Birmingham Fire Brigade was founded in March 1874, then under control of the Chief of Police. Following the fatal Digbeth Fire in 1878, after which many things were found to be wrong, such as Escape Ladders would not work, The first Tozer was appointed as Chief Fire Offiicer.
The Tozer family then maintained that Rank until 1941,
Nepotism??
Birmingham Fire and Ambulance Service transferred to West Midlands Fire Service on 1st April 1974 due to Local Government re-organisation and therefore the Birmingham Fire Brigade/National Fire Service/Birmingham Fire and Ambulance Service lasted for 100 years and 3 days.