IGNITING THE SUSSEX BEACONS

OF UNITY

THE HISTORY OF THE

SUSSEX BRANCHES OF A.S.L.E.F. 



EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY 

 One of the main reasons for doing these web sites is to try and explain to everybody the history of the footplate grades, the conditions they had to work in and the creation of the A.S.L.E.F. branches within the Brighton & Sussex area.

I am therefore very grateful for people sending me personal photos from their personal collection and for allowing me to display them on the web sites. But unfortunately what is missing, are the stories that accompany them. What I want to do is to try and remedy this by starting to record the remaining stories that are still out there, before they too are lost in the midst of time.

I have added some information about some of the drivers that I know and the comments that have already have been sent to me.

If you too have any stories about your own working life on the footplate, the people that you worked with and the conditions you had to work in please send me and I will post, on the web site.

If you are interested in helping me in capturing these stories by any means possible please let me know.




Click on the icon above for

the history of the Brighton Branch of ASLEF 


Click on the icon above for

the Brighton Motive Power Depot

 

 LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

MAY 1911

PAGE 230


PORTSMOUTH BRANCH

It is a long time since you heard from this branch, and no doubt you will think we have been napping, but we are evidently waking up as we have recently made five new members and have great hopes, of more to follow. At our quarterly meeting, held on April 2nd, we had about half of our members present. After the usual business, the report of the Board of Trade inspector on the recent Aisgill Moor disaster was read, and the finding was strongly condemned as most unjust to our fraternity. A tribute was paid to Mr. Fox and his co-workers for their untiring energy on behalf of footplate workers. The chairman, Brother L. Cook, called upon Brother Higgins, chairman of Nine Elms Branch, who had honoured us with a visit, to say a few words. Brother Higgins stated he had been at work all night and wasn’t prepared to come and address us, as it was only by chance he was there at all. Having seen a printed notice of our meeting he thought he would drop in. Nevertheless he gave us a brief  summary of our recent movement and also touched upon Rule 55, medical and eye- sight test and Eight Hours Bill and its Amendments as drawn up by the Executive Council, all of which proved very interesting .A vote of thanks was proposed by Brother Hutton and seconded by Brother R. Stone to Brother Higgins for his very interesting address. Brother Higgins suitably responded, saying he would be only too pleased to come again if ever he had the same opportunity. We also had present Brother Wright, of London, Brighton and South Coast Rail- way, one of our members and also one of the candidates, and we hope a successful one, for the conciliation board of that company. Trusting you will hear again from this branch in the near future reporting good progress is the wish of 

ONE OF THE MEMBERS. 

 

 LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

AUGUST 1911

PAGE 380


PORTSMOUTH BRANCH

An open meeting for drivers, firemen and cleaners, was held at the Co-operative Rooms, Gamier Street, on Sunday, June 11th, at which Brother A. E. Harrison, secretary of the Battersea Branch, officiated as chairman. After a few remarks about conciliation boards and the benefits of the Society, he urged all non- members present to join at once. He then called on Mr. Warwick, organizing secretary, to address the meeting, which he did for over an hour to the pleasure of everyone present. His subject was : " The position of locomotive-men and the need for greater unity," and among other things, he quoted the results of the working of conciliation boards, and the concessions that had been obtained from various companies by them, showing how the best times were enjoyed by men who were best organized in their own Society. He pointed out how useless it was for delegates to go before the directors unless they had the men organized and at their backs, as the results were in most cases nil. This showed the need for organization, in order to obtain the best conditions and to retain, them. He spoke of the market value of labour of our fraternity, and the value , placed by the arbitrators, who absolutely knew nothing of what our men had to contend with. At the close of his splendid and stirring address, he asked for " nons " to come forward and join, which was responded to by five of them giving in their names, four paying entrance fees. A hearty vote of thanks was proposed by Brother F. Westaway and seconded by Brother P. Wright to Mr. Warwick for his able address, and to Brother Harrison for the able manner in which he had filled the chair. Before the meeting closed a letter was read by Brother F. Giles, our conciliation board member for the London and South Western Railway, in reference to the free pass that had been granted to the pensioners having been extended to their wives. Hoping that we may be able to report further progress is the wish of

ONE WHO WAS THERE 

 

 LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

DECEMBER 1911

PAGE 591


PORTSMOUTH BRANCH


 An open meeting in ccnnecticn with the above branch was held en November 12th, at the Co-operative Rooms, Fratton Road, when Mr. Warwick, organizing secretary, and Brother S. Higgins, of Nine Elms Branch, attended. Brother Higgins tock the chair and after a few suitable remarks called upon Mr. Warwick to address the meeting, which he did in a very able manner for about 70 minutes, taking for his subject “ The Result of the Strike and the Report of the Royal Commission.” He congratulated the branch upon its increase of 20 members during the quarter. It behoved every railwayman to see he was in his organization and follow the example of the Great Liberal Government, and also take for their motto that of the Naval Gunnery School of this town, which reads :—“ in times of peace prepare for war.” He also illustrated the economy practised by the companies. We had a good insight into the new scheme embodied in the Commissioners’ Report, which evidently seems to be well worth a trial. He urged us to beware of the independent chairman, which was only an arbiter with another name. Reference was also made to Mr. Churchill’s speech at Dundee, regarding: the strike weapon, which we undoubtedly laid aside with the 1907 agreement, but which we had regained and should hold as a birthright. After urging the “ nons “ Higgins,- who referred to the scheme recently put forward en the London and South-Western Railway, but which had since been withdrawn. He regretted the attitude of the members of the Nine Elms Branch during the recent strike, and urged the men, when the next election tock place, to be sure that those nominated were men who could be depended upon, and not these with an eye to self-aggrandizement. Brother Higgins then presented the Executive Council special medallion to Brother P. Wright for proposing 25 new members during this- year. He gave him the good wishes of the Society and hoped he would live long, enough to wear it out. On the call for questions the few asked were answered satisfactorily by Mr. Warwick and Brother Higgins. On a resolution of Secretary, and Brother S. Higgins, of confidence in our Executive Council being proposed and put to the meeting, it was carried unanimously, as was also a hearty- vote of thanks to Mr. Warwick for his most able address and to Brother Higgins for occupying the chair. This brought to an end one of the best and most interesting meetings of locomotive-men it has ever been my pleasure to attend in Portsmouth, and which has resulted in a further increase of five new members. Hoping this will not be the last meeting of this description is the wish of

ONE OF ‘EM

 

  LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

APRIL 1912

PAGE 181


PORTSMOUTH BRANCH

At our branch meeting held on Sunday, March 3rd, after getting through our usual branch business, we listened to a most interesting address by Councillor Mactivish. He was appointed as a delegate from the Trades Council, to try and persuade our members to affiliate with that body and should have attended our meeting on February 4th, but owing to ill-health he was unable to do so. He, however, sent two very able substitutes in the persons of Mr. Craig and Mr. Porter, with the result that it was decided to affiliate, whereupon delegates were elected to attend the meetings. Councillor Mactivish in his address dealt with the economic conditions of the workers of today showing how they could help themselves to fight against the encroachments of the capitalist by using the co-operative movement and trade union organizations in a political sense. He quoted figures obtained from the Economist and Board of Trade reports which showed that profits had increased, while owing to the increased cost of the necessaries of life, the ages of the workers have decreased. He spoke very strongly about non-union men and said they were the tools of the employers by which wages were kept down, though at the same time they were quite eager to take advantage of any benefits got by the unions. He pleaded with them to be men and join their respective societies when they would be doing their share towards he uplifting of the workers. He spoke upwards of 40 minutes and at the close announced that he would be pleased to answer any questions on the State Insurance Bill and urged them to make their trade union their approved society. He showed that through their organizations the Act could be further amended as our representatives had succeeded in getting amendments added during the passage of the Bill through the House of Commons. He also said that we as locomotive-men, with a high standard of health, would have a large surplus at our disposal when the valuation took place in three years' time. A question was asked in reference t o the miners' minimum wage which Councillor Mactivish explained and also the conditions under which the miner works. Brother J. Brown, chairman, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the speaker for his most able and interesting address, and after being ably seconded by Brother R. Stone, it was carried unanimously. Councillor Mactivish suitably responded thanking all present for the kind attention that hsd been given to him. Two new members joined as at the close and that these will not be the last is the wish of

ONE OF 'EM. 

 

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

SEPTEMBER 1912

PAGE 429


PORTSMOUTH BRANCH


An open meeting in connection with the above branch was held on Sunday, July 28th, the chair being taken by our E.C. member, Mr. W . Stevenson. Before calling upon Mr. Wride, our worthy President, to give an address, the chairman made a few appropriate remarks. Mr. Wride, who took for his subject Conciliation a n d Federation, and dealt with it for over an hour in a most masterly fashion, gave a brief outline of the history of the A.S.L.E.&F. from its conception  and also of the A.S.R.S., which evidently convinced those present that they would" be doing well by looking after their own business, and leave others to do likewise. Mr. W. Stevenson then gave a brief outline of the terms of service enjoyed by the South Eastern and Chatham Railway men, and also particulars of recent concessions granted to the locomotive-men. On the call for questions, of which a few were asked, one referred to the old sore, Rule 30, Clause 5, which still rankles in the minds of a few, and is used as an excuse for running out. Perhaps these members are more to be pitied than anything else. Another questioner wanted to know if it was true that we are losing members, a' tale which has emanated from some of our A.S.R.S. friends a t another place a few miles away, with what object I will leave yon to guess. This was answered by Mr. G. Wride, who referred to the new branches that have recently been opened. •One always expects to find a few weak-kneed ones, who, when an open meeting is held to clear up their doubts, are most conspicuous by their absence. The following resolution was carried unanimously : " That this meeting of enginemen, firemen and cleaners is of opinion that the time has now arrived when the enginemen of this country should approach the various railway companies for a re- consideration of the conditions of service, with a view of improving the same, exclusively under the auspices of their own Society, the A.S.L.E. & F." A vote of thanks was then proposed to our visitors, Messrs. Wride and Stevenson, for their services, which were greatly appreciated. This was the occasion of their first visit to this branch, and that next time they come we shall have a much larger audience is the wish of

A POMPONIAN. 

 

 LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

JULY 1913

PAGE 328


PORTSMOUTH BRANCH

It is not often a report appears in the Journal under the above heading, but we are still in existence, and the number of special meetings that have been held during the past half year, to combat local grievances, shows that we have not been idle. Perhaps the activity may be accounted for by the system of pin-pricking which some of our members have been subjected to for a long time by petty officialism. Our members- have decided that it must now cease. The trade union spirit prevailing in the branch is of a better quality than I have ever known it before ; it is even permeating some of the “ nons " they can see phantoms of trouble ahead. I don't know that they have anything to- fear, as they are always conspicuous by their absence when there is anything to be done to better their conditions of service, but they are first in the field to- gather in the fruits of someone else's labour.

At our monthly meeting, which had been postponed from June 1st to the 8th to enable Brother Marshall, of Eastbourne, who represented our group at the Leeds Conference, to attend and give a report of the business transacted. Brother Marshall's report, which kept him on his feet for fully one hour and a quarter, proved highly educational and interesting to everyone present. What was lacking in numbers was made up in interest. Duty accounted for some absentees, but it would please the branch officials if some of our sleeping members would turn up- at the meetings and help with some of the spade work that has to be done, and not leave their destinies in the hands of someone else. A few had been affected by the " fusionia " which has charged the air round here of late. But after Brother Marshall got through the correspondence with the N.U.R., over the electrification on the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway, I think the spirit of "fusion" must have met a premature death, as when Brother Marshall reached that item, there was nothing to be said or questions to be asked. A hearty vote of thanks was proposed to Brother Marshall for the able manner in which he had rendered his report, which would have been longer had not time been so relentless and the appetites so keen. Brother Marshall replied. At the close we had the pleasure of welcoming four new members. We have ample room for the rest of the " nons " when they can drop their apathy, get off the fence and put their shoulders to the wheel and help to work out the salvation of the locomotive-men. 

ONE OF 'EM

 

  LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

DECEMBER 1913

PAGE 567


PORTSMOUTH BRANCH

Some months have come and gone since a report appeared in the Journal from this branch, not because there has not been one sent, but it was •evidently crowded out of the October Journal, and a bit out of date for November Nevertheless it is not always the clock that ticks the loudest that keeps the best time, for the Portsmouth Branch has been keeping good time We held an open meeting on October 12th 'when the speakers billed to give addresses were Messrs Warwick and Coombes Owing however to Executive Committee business Brother Coombes was unable to be with us Mr G W Porter, secretary of the Trades and Labour Council, one of our old friends, took the chair and right well did he fill that position He reviewed the progress of trade unionism in the South of England, and gave some jolly good sound advice to all present, the ladies included, who had been invited for the first time in the history of this branch There was a certain amount of pessimism with regard to the ladies, but that was dispelled when they turned up in such numbers, and I have had the question put to me as to when we are going to ha\ e another meeting and invite the ladies. I think they had better wait and see for the present We had an audience of well over one hundred. Mr Warwick's subjects were the electrification and the Eight Hour Day, and most ably did he handle these subjects for over an hour Electrification is rather a hot question here, as it has hit our London, Brighton and South Coast members hard, but is likely to hit the South Western Railway members harder, what with the slow promotion and the closing in of duties, so that the men scarcely get time to open their food baskets ; the men are realizing that the Eight Hour Day is a long time overdue There was a few questions asked, one of our respected N U R friends being very keen on the question of fusion, but the chairman ruled it out of order as not being the subject of the address One of our members chimed in and said we should fuse when the members agree to do so, evidently meaning it was not the organizers who decided that question but the members Mr Warwick then made a presentation to the branch chairman, Brother H J Tagg who was leaving to take up a position on the Bengal and Nagpuir Railway The present took the form of a safety razor Brother Warwick hoped he would have many a close shave and all the members wished Brother Tagg every success in the future With a few more remarks from our genial chairman the meeting closed with the usual vote of thanks to him and Mr Warwick for their services At our monthly meeting on November 2nd, we had a good muster After the usual business we had a report of our delegate who attended a conference at Salisbury re the electrification which we hope will be carried to a successful issue Brother Harrison of Battersea was present by request to square up a little misunderstanding that had arisen the members accepting his explanation of what transpired Brother Harrison then made a presentation to Brother W Thompson who is leaving to take up a position in Burma This present took the form of a shaving set Brother Harrison conveyed the good wishes of the branch to Brother Thompson, who suitably replied At the close we had the pleasure to welcome fifteen new members, which brings us well over one hundred members now, with promises of some more for next meeting One came over from the all-grade ship quite on his own That we shall soon have the few outstanding ones ere long is the wish of

BRANCH SECRETARY 

 

 



Click on the icon above for

the history of the Brighton Branch of ASLEF 


Click on the icon above for

the Brighton Motive Power Depot

free templates

Make a free website with Yola