Matthew J. Davies Jr.
Matthew J. Davies Jr.
MATTHEW JOHN DAVIES JR. was born on January 6, 1932 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania to Mary B. and Matthew Davies. By 1947 the family had moved to Camden, where they lived at 942 Pearl Street. The elder Davies worked as a buffer. The Davies family maintained a presence at the Pearl Street address as late as 1980.
Matthew J. Davies was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on November 23, 1956 and reported for duty at Engine Company 11 on December 1. He was promoted to Captain on August 16, 1963 and to Battalion Chief on December 31, 1968.
Matthew Davies, Camden Fire Department firebook portrait.
Matthew Davies retired from the Camden Fire Department on December 1, 1981. His father had moved to the Williamstown area and died on August 29, 1993. Last a resident of Maple Shade, New Jersey, Matthew J. Davies died on January 7, 1994.
Engine Company 11
Photo by Bob Bartosz
Engine Company 11, rough and dirty after another working fire at the old “starch works” on Lemuel Avenue in East Camden. From left Fire Fighters Phil Stinger, Jack Schott, Herb Baxter, Bill O’Connor and Matt Davies. Circa 1957.
The Firehouse Family — Engine Company 11, 1958. Seated, from left: Fireman Matthew Davies, Fireman Frank Deal, Captain Edwin Robbins; Fireman William D. O’Connor. Standing: Fireman Harry J. Allebach, who retired February 1, 1958.
Camden Fireman Cited by Buffs
Camden Courier-Post —
Honors came last night, for the second time this year, to a Camden firefighter who risked his life to rescue an invalid from a burning bedroom.
The Delaware Valley Fire Buffs Association awarded a special citation and a $25 savings bond to Capt. John Gryckiewicz of Engine Company 6. The presentation was made by Howard Doerschner, chief of Camden city auxiliary firemen.
Third Attempt
On Feb. 7, Gryckiewicz rescued Mrs. Emily Burns, 40, from the second floor bedroom of her home at 602 N. 2nd Street. Mrs. Burns, a multiple sclerosis victim, managed to reach the door of her room before she collapsed.
In making the presentation, Doerschner said Gryckiewicz entered the burning building after two rescue attempts by civilians failed.
Gryckiewicz received the Distinguished Service Award in February from Public Safety Director Keith Kauffman for bravery and rescue beyond the call of duty.
Chief Wilmer Porter, Haddon Heights Fire Company, and George F. Rossner, Pennsauken’s Delaware Gardens Fire Company 4, received award certificates presented by Leo Mendez, acting president of the Fire Buffs. They were cited for outstanding work in fire service and their assistance to the Fire Buffs.
Guests Listed
Guests at the organization’s seventh annual award meeting in Pennsauken’s Amity Hall were Capt. Matthew Davies, president of the Camden Fire Department Fire Officers Association; Ralph Kress, assistant chief of the Philadelphia Fire Department; D. Allen Stretch, director of public safety of Ocean City, and Chief Ferdinan Tacharino and Deputy Chief William Meenan, Ocean City Fire Department.
Councilman Mario Rodriguez was the principal speaker. Rodriguez commended the honored guests and members of the Fire Buffs for their dedication to the safety of others.
The Fire Buffs is an organization made up of active and retired fire fighters who aid firemen. They are on 24-hour call and they work without pay. Some buffs serve sandwiches to firemen, others administer artificial respiration, while still others participate in the actual firefighting.
25 Firemen Finish Training
Camden Courier-Post —
In a move aimed at staffing the Camden Fire Department for a new 42-hour work week, 25 probationary firemen will be graduated from the city fire academy Monday and 10 fire officers will be given promotions Tuesday.
Heading the list of fire officer promotions will be the selection of Battalion Chief Anthony C. Saponare, 51, of 117 S. 27th Street, Camden, as deputy fire chief. The new deputy chief is a 26-year veteran on the city fire force.
Two fire captains to be promoted to battalion chief are Matthew J. Davies, Jr., 36, of 2819 Carman Street, Camden, and James H. Stewart, 54, of 317 Garden Avenue, Camden.
Seven firemen to be named captains include William D. Hillman, 29, of 11 Crestfair Apartments, Camden; Joseph H. Arensberg, 32, of 1041 N. 32nd Street, Camden; Robert E. Briggs, 48, of 2861 Congress Road, Camden; and John Brzozowski, 28, 371 N. 34th Street, Camden.
Also to be named captains are Edmund F. Gorczynski, 36, of 272 N. 33rd Street, Camden; Anthony T. Orme, 44, 3317 River Road, Camden; and William B. Young, 29, of 1126 N. 33rd Street, Camden.
The new firemen include Richard E. Johnson, Thomas H. Eckel, Ronald C. Crowder, John A. DeLuca, Peter P. Carbone, Robert P. Hand, Robert M. Lapp, Jerome A. Kee, Thomas V. Kane, Charles E. Mayo, James C. Peterson and George S. Szychulski, all of Camden.
Other slated fire school graduates are Ronald Angemi, Robert C. Welch, Robert G. Boyle, Glenn H. Moore, Marvin W. Bendy, Thomas J. DiBiaso, Arthur J. Gibson, Daniel J. Galasso, Samuel Battle Jr., Ronald J. Boyle, Jerome J. Watson, George R. Abbey, 3rd., and William H. Huelas, all of Camden.
The appointments of all 35 men become effective Jan. 1, 1969.
Fire Records
Matthew John Davies fire service record card.