Robert E. Dukes
Robert E. Dukes, Camden Fire Department
ROBERT E. DUKES was born in Camden on September 19, 1922 to Albert V. Dukes Sr. and his wife Barbara. By September of 1918 the family had moved to 3803 Westfield Avenue in East Camden. The elder Dukes was then out of work but shortly thereafter landed a job working as a record maker at the Victor Talking Machine Company. In 1920 he was appointed to the Camden Fire Department. The Dukes family, which included younger brothers Charles and Robert, remained at 3803 Westfield Avenue through at least 1947. In February of 1938 older brother Albert V. Dukes Jr. joined his father as a member of the Camden Fire Department.
Robert Dukes served in the United States Navy from December 28, 1942 until March 15, 1946. After returning home to Camden, Robert Dukes was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on March 24, 1947, and entered service on April 1. Robert Dukes’ father, Albert V. Dukes Sr. and brother Albert V. Dukes Jr. were still with the Camden Fire Department at that time. Albert Jr. left the Fire Department on March 16, 1952.
Robert Dukes was promoted to Captain on May 1, 1956. On February 16, 1962 Robert Dukes was again promoted, this time to the rank of Battalion Chief. When he retired from service on January 1, 1980 Robert Dukes had given over 30 years to the Camden Fire Department. By late February of 1983 Robert E. Dukes had moved to Port Charlotte, Florida. He was still a resident of Port Charlotte when he passed away on August 4, 1997.
TWO FIREMEN INJURED IN EAST CAMDEN WHILE FIGHTING GROCERY BLAZE
Camden Courier-Post —
Two firemen were injured last night while combating a slight fire in a grocery store basement at 2401 River avenue.
Harry Leigh, 44, of 28 North Twenty-sixth street, suffered cuts over the right eye while descending stairs in a smoke-filled cellar to combat a fire in a defective oil burner, he said.
Albert Dukes, 44, of 3803 Westfield avenue, received cuts of the hand and a sprained ankle when he fell 12 feet from the roof. Both are hosemen attached to Engine Company No. 9 and were treated at West Jersey Hospital.
Leigh said one of the steps was broken and he did not see it on account of the smoke-filled cellar. Dukes was examining a chimney on the roof when he made a mis-step and fell to the sidewalk.
The store is operated by Mrs. Elizabeth Savitz.
Engine 6 Wagon and Pumper at Front & Linden Streets — circa 1948
Left column, from left: Captain William Deitz, Firemen Robert Dukes, Harrison Pike, Mario Fattore, Edwin Callahan. Right column, from left: Firemen Thomas McParland, Philip Farrow, Thomas Winstanley, James Stewart, Ernest Tartaglia, John “Shorty” Prucella
Engine 6 Wagon and Pumper at Front & Linden Streets — circa 1949
On apparatus: John Prucella and Harrison Pike – Motor Pump Operators. Left to right: Philip Farrow, Edwin Callahan, Thomas McParland, Robert Dukes, Captain William Deitz, Thomas Winstanley, James Stewart, Mario Fattore, and Ernest Tartaglia. Photo by Bob Bartosz.
“WELL DONE, MEN!” says the four-man welcoming committee to the Pennsauken Fire Company as it pulls into the Westfield Ave. Fire Station after completing a mutual aid drill with city companies last night. At attention are Robert Dukes, district chief, Ed Michalak, deputy chief, Col. Edwin Bedell, and Edward MacDowell, Camden chief.
Firemen Here Get Advanced First Aid Course
Camden Courier-Post —
More than 40 members of the Camden Fire Department have completed the Red Cross course in advanced first aid according to announcement today by Howard F. Keller, Collingswood, chairman of the Camden County Chapter’s first aid committee. Instruction sessions were under the direction of Fire Chief William V. Pfefferle, Drillmaster Anthony Dzinski, a member of the local chapter first aid group, assisted by Nicholas E. George, were instructors. Dzinski is a member of the Red Cross faculty at the National Aquatic School held in this area each year for instruction in advance safety techniques. Dick Harris, director of Red Cross safety services, supervised.
All members of the graduating class are personnel of several units housed at fire department headquarters here. These include the Headquarters Company, Engine Company 2, Rescue Squad 1 and Truck Company 1. These groups include:
Rescue Squad: Captains Arthur Batten, Philip A. Stinger and Albert Weller; Edward Brendlinger, Harrison MacNeir, Robert Olesiewicz and James W. Smith.
Headquarters Company: Raymond Banford, John K. Voll and John W. Yates.
Truck Company 1: Captains Daniel Jiannetto, Robert E. Dukes and Otto V. Kaiser; William Watkin, Chester Gedrich, George Baxter, John Mogck, George C. Hennessy, Charles Devlin, Ambrose W. Faust, Joseph McTaggart, Howard R. Taggart, William G. Winstanley and Elmer Johnson Jr.
Engine Company 2: Captains James R. Asher, Thomas Winstanley; Carl Wirtz, James McGrory, Edwin V. Decker, James Stewart, Frank Suber, Michael Kealty, Thomas Moser and Robert Onesak.
1964
Named: 1964, From Left: Joseph Guarino, Edward V. Michalak, Robert Dukes, and Ervin Brennan.
1965 — Appointment of Edward Michalak as Chief of Department
On the occasion of Edward Michalak’s appointment to Chief of Department. Seated from left: retiring Chief of Department Edward MacDowell, Chief Edward Michalak, Director Keith Kauffman. Standing from left: District Chiefs Frank Deal, Joseph Guarino, Robert Dukes, Anthony Saponare, Theodore Primas, Daniel Jiannetto, Fireman Erwin Brennan, Major William Gwynne of the Volunteers of America Fire Canteen. Photo by Bob Bartosz.
Heart Attack Fireman Dies After City Blaze
Camden Courier-Post —
A Brother of the Fireman Died Under Similar Circumstances at a Fire Scene in 1964
A Camden fireman collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack early today after returning from the scene of a two-alarm fire that severely damaged a city warehouse. A brother of the fireman died under similar circumstances at a fire scene in 1964.
Carmen Iannelli, 50, of 3061 Stevens Street, Camden, collapsed at No. 9 Engine Company headquarters at 27th and Federal Streets and was dead on arrival at Cooper Medical Center, Camden, at 2:50 a.m. A 22-year veteran of the Camden Fire Department, Iannelli had been on the scene of a fire at the Pompas waste paper warehouse at 1300 Pine Street.
According to Battalion Fire Chief Robert Dukes, the fire broke out at 7:45 p.m. and burned out of control until shortly before 10 p.m. There were no injuries at the scene, Dukes said, and the fire is under investigation by the Camden City Fire Marshal’s office. A hospital spokesman said Iannelli died of an apparent heart attack. His brother Leonard Iannelli Sr. collapsed at the scene of a fire at Broadway and Chestnut Street, January 14, 1964. He was 41 years old at the time.
Camden Division of Fire — Personnel Record for Robert E. Dukes. Badge No. 15. Appointed March 24, 1947. Captain 5-1-56; Battalion Chief 2-16-62. Citation: Special mention certificate for the rescue of 3 children. Deceased: 8-4-97.
Fire Watch Magazine — Spring 1977
Local 788 International Association of Fire Fighters
FIREHOUSE CHATTER — “A TIP O’ THE HELMET TO”…
Frank (Post-time) McGuckin and Fr. Marty Murray, of Ladder Co. 2, for the fine rescue of a trapped and unconscious child, performed at “all hands-Box #5213,” transmitted at 0945 hours on 26 March, 1977 for a fire located at 1466 Kaighn Avenue. Quick action on the part of all units, and successful mouth to mouth resuscitation applied by Fr. McGuckin resulted in the saving of a life. Units operating at all hands-5213 were Engines 7 and 8, Ladder Co. 2, and the 2nd Battalion under the command of B.C. Bob Dukes. A job well done.
IN RECOGNITION — ANNIVERSARY DATES
CONGRATULATIONS TO: Fr. Howard G. Brickner #5 — 26 Years; Fr. Harvey J. Fisher #186 — 26 Years; Capt. James W. Smith — 26 Years; Dep. Chf. Anthony C. Saponare — 35 Years; Fr. Andrew H. Foreman #183 — 26 Years; Fr. William J. Stibi #120 — 26 Years; Batt. Chf. Robert E. Dukes — 30 Years; Fr. Henry S. Keubler #34 — 26 Years; Fr. William M. Stone #29 — 26 Years; Insp. Fr. George C. Hennessy #21 — 30 Years; Fr. Joseph J. Lesniewski #50 — 26 Years; Capt. William G. Winstanley — 26 Years; Dep. Chf. Daniel F. Jiannetto — 30 Years; Fr. Phillip MacDonald #71 — 26 Years; Fr. Adolph S. Zubrzycki #62 — 26 Years; Dep. Chf. Theodore L. Primas — 30 Years; Fr. Joseph J. McTaggart #26 — 26 Years; Batt. Chf. John J. Giuliano — 21 Years; Fr. Eugene F. Alston #7 — 29 Years; Batt. Chf. John J. Mogck — 26 Years; Insp. Fr. Alfred D. Nigro #76 — 21 Years; Batt. Chf. Biaggio P. Ardire — 29 Years; Capt. John E. Moore — 26 Years; Fr. Leon Puszczykowski #100 — 21 Years.