LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
JANUARY 1926
BOGNOR BRANCH
It looks as if we shall require larger accommodation for our branch meetings. At our meeting on Sunday, November 29th, the spacious room which we at present possess was crowded out with enthusiastic members, at this depot we are 100 per cent. strong, and the only one or two waverers there are at our neighbouring depot have at last decided, I think, to pay into the finest society regarding locomen’s interest. I am glad to see that the cleaners are waking up and putting their grievances through the proper channels. I hope others will do likewise, and not sit and wait for their fellow-members to do the fighting for them. The way to gain satisfaction is to attend their branch meetings and have their say. In conclusion, I wish everybody a Happy New Year, and our Society a most prosperous one.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Bognor Loco Shed
Medical Examination.
MINUTE NO.18 OF SECTIONAL COUNCIL NO.2, MEETING,
JANUARY 13th, 14th, 19th and 20th, 1926.
ITEM
General - Request that men having been passed to qualify as Drivers should not be required
to submit to another examination when promoted.
MINUTE
It was agreed that Drivers, Firemen and Motormen shall, in future, be examined by the
Company’s Medical Officers as follows:-
(a) On promotion from Cleaner to Fireman.
(b) On promotion from Fireman to Driver or Motorman.
(c) On reaching age 60, and annually thereafter.
Period of Notice Require on Leaving Company’s Service.
MINUTE NO.20 OF SECTIONAL COUNCIL NO.2 MEETING,
JANUARY 13th, 14th, 19th and 20th, 1926
ITEM
Period of notice requires on leaving Company’s Service.
MINUTE
It was agreed that the period should be one week.
Extracted and adapted from
Newhaven Branch Meeting
Sunday 28th Feb. 1926
Letter from Secretary of N.U.R.,asking for co operation on respect to a show a card week, beginning on March 8th.
A lively discussion arose: the Secretary stated, that he had been asked particulars and was informed that every member with a clear card would wear a flag and had informed the Secretary of N.U.R.,that all our members paid quarterly, so if our members agreed to co -operate he would be given sufficient flags for each member.
Proposed by Bro. F. Brown & seconded by Bro. S. Lower.
"That we cooperate.”
Proposed by Bro. W. Godson & seconded by Bro. P. Reed as an amendment
“That we ignore them.”
Put to the vote, the proposition was carried.
Railway accident on the
Southern Railway
Brighton Section
Horsham Driver Charlie Cook
Charlie. Born 5th November 1902 and started on the footplate on the 25th October, 1918, and moved to Horsham after the 1926 General Strike (May) when the juice arrived from Dartford to Charing Cross and Cannon Street. He moved with one driver, Chris Baker, who was an LDC man and 2 firemen. Jim Counter (09.01.1919) and Frank Barham (17.06.1918). Horsham was not his choice, as he lived in Kent but all the local vacancies had been taken bu senior men. The shedmaster asked him where he was going, to which Charlie replied I don't know. The Shedmaster said there a place here called Horsham, they need 2 firemen but I expect they can do with 3 and that was that! As the Slades Green men were senior to some of the Horsham firemen when they arrived, it meant that somebody had to go back cleaning. Walter ‘Dickie’ Doel ended up being put back.
The other three Slade’s Green Enginemen that transferred to Horsham in 1926
Driver Chris Baker seniority date 13.08.1906. Chris was a fireman and driver at Slade’s Green, and the only driver to go to Horsham when it closed to steam in 1926. He was on the L.D.C. at Slade’s Green and Charlie Cooke and the other firemen were glad of his assistance when they all arrived at Horsham. ( SECR Book 1730).
Fireman Frank Barham seniority date 17.06.1918. Frank was a fireman at Slade’s Green and moved at the same time as Charlie to Horsham. Frank was known as ‘Captain Barham’, because he was a Captain in the Home Guard during WWII. He later ran the Firing School for all new cleaners progressing to fireman.
Fireman A. J. Counter seniority date 09.01.1919. Jim was a fireman at Slades Green, Jim moved to Horsham the same time as Charlie. He later ended up as a Motorman at Orpington. (SECR Book 2583)
QUEENIE KNIGHT COLLECTION
Inside Horsham Loco Shed in the early/mid 1920’s.
William Knight (Queenie Knight was her father-in-law), is thought to be leaning against the
buffer.
William Knight’s son was Gordon Knight, who was a driver at Littlehampton depot and
William’s Great grandson Ashley Squires is currently a driver at Barnham depot.
Bill Knight was my uncle, my mothers brother, and he was at the “Bridges” when I started in 1945. Gordon was his son and he also had a son Fred Knight in Three Bridges signal box, Bill was the eldest in the family.
INFO BY
RODNEY BURSTOW
CRAWLEY c1920s
General Strike march?
The Railway Banner is thought to be Three Bridges A.S.L.E.& F. Banner
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
JUNE 1926
BOGNOR BRANCH
On March 28th a bumper meeting was held here, when a room was filled with enthusiastic members. I may say that every meeting held at Bognor is packed out, and I venture to challenge any branch that could prove better attendance at meetings. The branch is 100 per cent. strong, with 90 per cent. average attendance at meetings. We are looking forward to the day when the Society is 100 per cent. strong. We are not very large here, but as firm as a rock. The 28th will be long remembered by members, as we had the honour of having of her Ladyship, The Countess de Rivas, an honorary member of the Portsmouth branch, paying us a visit, who kindly made the presentation to one of our staunch old members, Thomas Woolnough, who has been 35 years a hard-working member of our Society, of a clock, and an artistic piece of work executed by one of our members, Fireman A. May, in the shape of an illuminated emblem and address, given by the branch in appreciation of our old g able to friend’s long membership. The presentation was very pleasing to us all, and Bro. W. Porter moved a vote of thanks to her Ladyship for kindly making the presentation, also to the clever artist in our midst, who must have spent hours on the wonderful piece of art. Her ladyship expressed her pleasure in being able to perform the ceremony, and gave some very appropriate remarks to our old friend, Thomas Woolnough, and to the meeting on the value of Trade Unionism. We also had the pleasure of Bro G. Godsell, of Battersea, who gave us a few words, and urged the younger blood to wake up. He also was heartily received and thanked, and so an excellent meeting came to a conclusion. I hope to read in future of other branches who can boast of such meetings as we get.
DIGGER.
On the 9th August 1926, the Southern Railway announced that the D.C. third rail electrification was to replace the A.C. “Elevated System.” The re-electrification of these lines started to come in operation between 1928 -1929.
Railway accident on the
Southern Railway
Brighton Section
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
OCTOBER 1926
HORSHAM BRANCH
Some considerable time has elapsed since this branch its activities published in the Journal. We are still 99 per cent. A.S.L.E. & F. During the past few months we have had our little troubles, but we are still smiling. The strike saw us all out, but, unfortunately, one got tired and went back to work, in spite of our efforts to keep him out. It seemed a great pity to see old retired drivers returning to work, yielding to temptations of the company. I hope, ere long, that the old men will have something respectable to retire on, and thus avoid having to work somewhere else after 40 to 50 years’ service. I am pleased to report that the attendance at the branch meetings since the strike has increased 25 per cent., but there is still room for a few more of those who grumble in the lobby. I would say to those few: come around to the Bedford every third Sunday of the month, and you will get some satisfaction, especially with the seniority question. We are all looking forward to a date to be stated, after October, for the long-awaited visit of our General Secretary.
August 15th saw an interesting event in the presentation of an eight-day striking clock, suitably inscribed, to H. Slaughter, who has retired after 44 years’ railway service, and has been a member of this branch for over 29 years. Our chairman made the presentation, and briefly referred to the recipient’s work in the past.
I may say, in conclusion, that we at Horsham have a good friend to working people, and especially has she proved herself so during the strike, Drivers having given the firemen practically their day’s pay when being booked off under suspension of the guaranteed week, no, or little, out of work.
A. FRANCIS
JOHN WILLIAMS COLLECTION
Horsham Loco St Johns Ambulance Team
Winners of Groups Brighton
Second left John Scutt, third right Farmedo Clack, Right stand William Luxford
WINDMILL BIRDGE JUNCTION
5th OCTOBER 1926
ELECTROCUTED OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS (probably
Tonbridge?) FIREMAN RICHARD SWANAT WINDMIL BRIDGE
SEE SUB PAGE
LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL
NOVEMBER 1926
BRIGHTON BRANCH
I am pleased to report that this branch is making steady progress, which we hope will
increase by leaps and bounds when the wives of our men realise the good we could do
amongst ourselves if they would all join our Society.
The Area Conference was held at the Labour Hall here on September 23rd. Mrs. Street, our
E.C. Member, attended and gave us a very interesting address, which was appreciated by
all. Delegates came from all branches but one, and several members of the parent branch,
who are honorary members of our Society, also attended. About 70 sat down to tea, and
very happy party they all seemed, several remarking as to what a good time they had had.
In the evening a very enjoyable Social was held, and we have to thank many of our men for
coming and making the time go all too soon. Great credit is due to the committee s and all
who helped, as the arrangements were highly successful branch, we appeal for men to join
us as honorary members, and bring their wives along to join us. Don’t forget the old
saying:
“Unity is Strength.”
Great encouragement has been given us by several wives of the Newhaven Men’s Branch
joining us, and we hope they will be able to attend our branch meetings, which are held at
the Labour Club every alternate Thursday at 3 p.m.
Mr. Barton Wild came to Brighton recently, and an invitation was given by the parent
branch for the wives and daughters of A.S.L.E. & F. members to attend the evening meeting.
Mr. Wild gave a very interesting and instructive speech; but where were many of the members who should have been there to hear it? Many of the ladies said afterwards how they had enjoyed it, and hoped soon to hear him again. The outcome of his appeal is that the Women’s Branch is sending this month £1 to the Protection Fund and £1 to the Central Fund.
MRS ANDREWS,
Secretary
Railway accident on the
Southern Railway
Brighton Section