Editors wife Linda speaking to former Chairman Aubrey Siteman and founder Chairman Bonnie Martyn

Monday July 10th wasn't the best of days weatherwise, but nothing could spoil a special ceremony organised by Call Sign Magazine to honour the men who throughout the past 48 years, with the help of numerous Board members and ODRTS drivers, have laid the foundations of Dial-a-Cab and then sturdily helped to build upon them.
Invitations to a luncheon at the HAC in City Road went out to every surviving ODRTS Chairman, and in those cases where the person was no longer alive, their wives were invited to represent them.
Originally due to be held in the DaC Boardroom at the rather awkward time of 1o'clock in the afternoon, it had to be moved to the HAC because so many accepted the invitation! There was only one absentee from the

CALL SIGN HONOURS PAST ODRTS CHAIRMEN

invitation list, that of Ken Burns who didn't return from holiday until that day. It also proved impossible to contact anyone from the late Peter Fennymore's family.
   Opening with a welcoming speech from the Editor, Alan Fisher, and following a light lunch, the presentation of a plaque donated by Call Sign was made by our Society's founder Chairman Bonnie Martyn to current Chairman Brian Rice. Both presenter and receiver were acting as symbolic representatives of every Chairman that DaC has ever had.
   In Bonnie Martyn's emotional address, he asked that those present remember those who were no longer with us, mentioning by name Eli Solomons, Frank Duncan, Jack Taylor, Peter Fennymore and Phil Messias. He went on to tell the gathering about his first trip to the PCO in 1952 when he had a meeting with Chief Supt Harold Gould to tell of his plans for a radio circuit.
   There then followed a surprise

Call Sign presentation that you can read about below.
The ceremony ended when Brian Rice presented all the former Chairmen or their representatives with a smaller version of the plaque to take home.
The day was not just a tremendous success, but a touching tribute to our heritage.

Below is the list of those former Chairmen who attended, or whose wives represented their memories:

Bonnie Martyn (1953 - 1957)
Frank Duncan (1957 - 1959) represented by wife Georgie
Eli Solomons (1959 - 1962) represented by cousin Martin Gellman
Jack Russell (1964 - 1969)
Jack Taylor (1969 - 1972) represented by wife Edna
Martin Gellman (1972 - 1976)
Phil Messias (1990 - 1992) represented by wife Faye
Aubrey Siteman (1992 - 1996)
Brian Rice (1996 - present day)

Those not at the ceremony:
Peter Fennymore (1976 - 1984) Unable to trace living descendants
Ken Burns (1984 - 1990) Holiday

See HERE for pictures of the event