Eugene
F.
Alston

EUGENE F. ALSTON was born October  16, 1919 in Camden to Richard Alston and his wife, the former Dolly Robinson. His father had been born in 1891 in Henderson, North Carolina. Richard Alston was working as a laborer at the Victor Talking Machine Company in June of 1917, and had married. Mr. and Mrs. Alston then lived in Camden at 1017 Francis Street, a small street that ran south from Walnut to Chestnut Street, between Front and South 2nd Streets.  

When the Census was taken in 1920, the family, which included an older sister Priscilla, lived at 1005 Francis Street. The Alstons shared the home with Dolly Alston's brother, Richard Robinson, and his family, at the time of the 1920 Census enumeration. Both Richard Alston and his brother-in-law worked as laborers at that time. The Alston family remained on Francis Street through 1929. By 1930 Richard Alston had found work at the nearby Public Service coke plant at the foot of Chestnut Street. He was still employed there in the spring of 1942. By that time Richard and Dolly Alston had moved to 1057 South 2nd Street. He died a few years later

Eugene F. Alston attended high school through the 11th grade and then went to Camden County Vocational School. When the 1947 Camden City Directory was compiled, Eugene Alston had married and was living with his wife Mattie at 277 Clement T. Branch Village, a public housing project that had opened up in 1940. His sister Priscilla lived nearby at 255 Branch Village. 

Eugene F. Alston was appointed to the Camden Fire Department on March 2, 1948 and was assigned to Engine Company 1 at South 4th and Pine Streets. During his career with the fire department he received a public citation for volunteering for special disaster training.

The 1956 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory shows Eugene F. Alston had moved to 241 Branch Village. By October of 1959 he had moved to 1137 South 9th Street, and by 1970 to 529 Newton Avenue.

On March 31, 1970 Fireman Alston was slightly injured while fighting a fire at the General Radio Supply building at North 6th and Penn Streets.

Eugene F. Alston retired after 30 years service on April 1, 1978. A lifelong resident of Camden, Eugene Alston passed away on March 10, 1990.

Circa 1949- Engine Company 1, wagon and pumper at front of quarters, South 4th & Pine Streets, South Camden. From left: Firemen Alfred Green, Fred Henderson, Charles Cook, Leroy Hatchett, Robert Thomas, Andrew Robinson, James Richardson, Eugene Alston, James Clinton, Captains Jesse Jones and Raymond Amos.

Camden Courier-Post
December 27, 1952

ONE OF SEVEN children rescued from a burning house at 444 South 5th Street Friday is shown being carried to safety in the arms of a fireman. Three of the children and a fireman were overcome by smoke. Two civilians rescue four of the children before firemen arrived.

Winfield Leviseur
William Van Pfefferle
Thomas Winstanley
Eugene Alston
Frank Deal
Charles Davis
Howard Lewis
Michael Cimini
North 22nd Street
South 5th Street

1953- Engine Company 1 with Hose Wagon at front of quarters, 1953. From left: Fireman Jesthroe Hunt, Fireman Charles Davis, Fireman Eugene Alston, Captain Jesse Jones, Fireman Charles Cook. Photo by Bob Bartosz

September 1954- Roll Call at the housewatch desk of Engine Company 1 's old quarters, South 4th & Pine Streets, South Camden on the occasion of Fireman Charlie Cook's retirement following his last tour of duty. From left: Firemen Andrew Robinson, Eugene Alston, Theodore Primas, Charles Davis, Captain Jesse Jones presenting wrist watch, Firemen Jesthroe Hunt, Samuel Fisher, Charles Cook, Orville Goldsboro, Captain Raymond Amos, Fireman Alfred Green. Photo by Bob Bartosz

1958- Engine Company 1 at South 4th & Pine Streets, South Camden shortly following delivery of new Hose Wagon. 1958 (from left) Captain Jesse Jones, Fireman Eugene Alston, and Fireman Jesthroe Hunt. Photo by Bob Bartosz

Camden Fire Department - FIRE WATCH MAGAZINE, SPRING 1977