BOMB DAMAGE TO BRIGHTON SECTION OF THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY
Clapham Junction Tuesday 7th January 1941
Involving the 12.51. p.m Victoria to Coulsdon North
Fratton Depot Friday 10th January 1941
Portsmouth Harbour Friday 10th January 1941
Streatham Hill Saturday Friday 31st January 1941
Newhaven Branch Meeting
Sunday February 16th 1941
With regards to the minute re the equipment of engines Bro. Cable said that when approached, Bro. Sherwin got on to Brighton by telephone and the reply from Brighton was "we have none too." "there is a war on.”
Correspondence
Bro. Clarke pointed out that Mac's, Gum-boots & etc were supplied for the shed staff soon after the outbreak of the war and that shed staff grade and not footplate men should be recruited for fire-watching as any "as ordered" man, might also be classed as a Fire-watcher when not otherwise engaged.
BOMB DAMAGE TO BRIGHTON SECTION OF THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY
London Bridge Monday 17th February 1941
Peckham Rye Saturday15th March 1941
New Cross Gate Wednesday 19th March 1941
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
MARCH 1941
ST. LEONARD’S BRANCH
Our January meeting was very well attended, and it was also interesting. We had some of the oldest members of the Society there; also some of the youngest. They all came to say farewell to one of our eldest members who has now retired and is now on the superannuation benefit. Our retired member (Bro. J. Philpot) has been a member since 1912 and has assisted the branch through serious times. Bro. R. Niner attended the meeting, although himself on the sick list, to make a presentation to Bro. Philpot in the form of a pair of easy chairs, presented by his workmates at the depot. Bro. Niner spoke of the good work done by our brother in years past for the benefit of Trade Unionism. Bro. A. Levett (Ore Branch) also spoke of our colleague’s good work. The members present wished Bro. Philpot health and good luck in these difficult times, and also wished Bro. Niner a quick recovery from his illness. Now a word or two for our members at home. It was very encouraging to see so many at our last meeting: now, if you all come, it will be more so. You will also know how the Society is watching your interests in these difficult times and the conditions we are working under. So it is hoped that all members will do their utmost to make the meetings in 1941 still better.
D. Sargent
Branch Secretary
BOMB DAMAGE TO BRIGHTON SECTION OF THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY
Fratton Tuesday 8th April 1941
Bognor Regis Friday 11th April 1941
Beckenham Junction Wednesday16th April 1941
Eardley Siding (Streatham Common) Thursday 17th April 1941
Fratton Depot Thursday 17th April 1941
Streatham Hill Sunday 20th April 1941
Lancing Works Friday 25th April 1941
Portsmouth & Southsea Sunday 27th April 1941
Fratton Depot Sunday 27th April 1941
Fratton Depot Saturday 3rd May 1941
Portsmouth & Southsea Sunday 4th May1941
EASTBOURNE LOCO SHED
BOMB DAMAGE TO BRIGHTON SECTION OF THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY
London Bridge Sunday 11th May 1941
Fratton Depot Thursday 12th June 1941
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Bomb damage at Newhaven Marine Station
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 1941
FROM THE GENERAL SECRETARY’S PEN
FIRE-WATCHING
Several enquiries are being made by member referring to the Fire-watching Order No. 69. It
may not be generally known that the Minster of Transport, who is the appropriate authority
scheduled by the Order, has now this Order compulsory so far as railways are concerned.
This means that fire-watching will take place at all points on the railways systems where it is considered to be necessary.A rota of duties will, therefore, be drawn up after consultation
with the representatives of the staff and exhibited for all concerned.
Our Local Departmental Committee Representatives should follow the advice set out in
circular letters issued from Head Office under dates of February, 7, March, 6, and May, 20.
It is essential that the discussion with the representatives of the staff should take place prior to Fire-watching duties being rostered.
In the meantime, we are seeking a meeting with the Minister of Transport in order to submit a number of points upon which clarity is needed and where amendment appears to be
necessary.
JOHN LIPSCOMBE COLLECTION
Newhaven Driver Fred Packham & Fireman Bill Lipscombe
Brighton Atlantic Class H2, No. 2421 “South Foreland”
In May 1941 Enginemen were awarded an extra 4s per Week taking the War Advance to 11s per week. Serious exception was taken by the Enginemen when an official Order on 'Fire-watching', which seemed to take no cognisance of our the Enginemen's very awkward of duty or the irregular nature of the turns they worked, to say nothing of the very long hours they were called upon to perform without any warning. When called upon to work these long hours without any provision being made to supply them with any food.
When the threat of invasion had receded, the Southern Railway became the marshalling area for troops preparing to invade Normandy in Operation ‘Overlord’, and once again the railways played its part by providing a link in the logistics chain. This came at a cost, as the Southern Railway’s location in and around London and the Channel ports meant that it was subjected to heavy bombing, whilst permanent way, locomotive, carriage and wagon maintenance was deferred until peacetime.
Brighton did in fact have women engine cleaners, they were not in the line of promotion and
their forewoman was a Mrs Roskelly who had a son who was a cleaner with me but he was
one of the dozens who left the railway A.S.A.P. after the war.
WOMEN ENGINE CLEANERS
CURTSEY OF TED JANES
The women engine cleaners were kept well
away from the rest of us rabble and sad to
admit they were a lot more enthusiastic
swabbing Gas Oil on engines than we were.
Inncidentally Fred Wheeler who was a
fireman at Brighton at the time, married one of the cleaner girls, he lived near me in
Hollingdean but later moved to Seaford as a
Motorman.
RALPH STENT COLLECTION
BRIGHTON MUSEM
There was also a tidy sized gang of women carriage cleaners at the station whose leader was
Mrs Watson ( Brighton Driver Ernie (Soapy) Watson's mum ).
Women played a very important role in the war. There was a Signal woman at Southwick, and the giant crane in Lower Yard was operated by Ernie Brown's sister, there were also a lot of female guards.
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
SEPTEMBER 1941
PAGE 365
BATTERSEA BRANCH
Since our Branch Reporter is now at Chichester, I take it upon myself to give a report, and take this opportunity to thank all these members who have paid up their arrears last quarter, and also those members who are now regularly attending the branch room. I can also report good progress, 31 new and re-joined members, and success in the L.D.C. Election, Bro. A. Murray and myself securing the two places left vacant by the transfer of Bros. R. Taylor and Mepham; and we shall do our best to justify the confidence placed in us. Thee are a good many outstanding complaints to remedy, and by the time this report is in print, we shall have had a meeting, and will be able to judge how far we have been successful with rearrangement and link working, shelter heating, the question of engine tools, guide lamps for shed roads before the long dark nights return, with possible air raids, and the provision of hand lamps. if we can get the Enginemen’s lobby roof repaired, it won’t be before time. The co-operation of the men is needed to make some of these things a success, if the company will do their part. To the younger element, I would remind them they have a contract with the company to be at work on time, every time you “do it in” you let one of your mates in for the turn, and he may be wanting to get done to time. So play the game, chaps, don’t expect all things to be done for you, if you are not prepared to do your share.
J. Polling
Branch Secretary
Brian Cook Collection