Manpower Moves
Page 15
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Oafs Whiston
A COACH DRIVER with National Bus Company subsidiary East Midland Motor Services has received his British Empire Medal for his actions during the Toxteth riots in Liverpool in 1981.
BERNARD ASKEW was driving a coach on hire to a police authority when it came under attack from rioters. He was awarded the medal last week for his calm and quick actions in preventing injuries to the Derbyshire Police passengers.
Mr Askew came to East Midland in 1975. He is a one-man driver and will soon be 64. DAF BUS has made Brian Whiston service manager, a newly created position with responsibility for strengthening the company's UK service operations.
Mr Whiston has over 30 years' experience in the bus and lorry industry, having started in 1952 as an apprentice with Perkins Engines.
He has worked for Seddon Diesel Vehicles and Steel's Commercial of Bristol before changing from lorries to buses.
In 1968 he became service manager of Bristol Commercial Vehicles. The company was later absorbed by the Leyland network and Mr Whiston moved to regional bus service manager in 1971.
He is now based at Oaf Bus's Marlow headquarters and his aim is to strengthen the company's customer relations with a technical and specialised service. He will meet specialist bus and coach bodybuilders.