BOMB DAMAGE TO BRIGHTON SECTION OF THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY 

London Bridge Wednesday 20th January 1943
Three Bridges Wednesday 20th January 1943
Selhurst Friday 22nd January 1943

Extracted and adapted from

Newhaven Branch Special Meeting

Sunday January 31st 1943

Meeting was called to hear and discuss the contents of Head Office Circular No.11/1943. 

This circular was read by Chairman who also added a few observation of his own, pointing out the anomaly caused by the increase of wages on a "War time" basis only. This had the effect, with “consegential adjustments” in rates of pay of increasing the wages of certain lower paid grades by as much as 26/- weekly. 

Bro. M. Smith observed that the question of the dead-lock in the negotiations, and the likelihood of negotiations being resumed was under a cloud and in the absence of anything definite coming from Head Office or till such time as anything definite was received, little could be done.

The following motion was moved by Bro. Rookley & seconded by Bro. M. Smith.

"Pending further advice from Head Office, we shall not call a meeting of members unless the situation is most serious; Should the situation not be most serious the Secretary, Assistant Secretary & Chairman shall meet the Branch Committee and convey to the Committee any information received, who will be empowered to convey information to the General Membership: Should the situation become serious, a meeting of the member to be called as soon as possible." 

Carried.

BOMB DAMAGE TO BRIGHTON SECTION OF THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY 

Eastbourne Sunday 7th March 1943
West Worthing Tuesday 9th March 1943
New Cross Gate Monday 19th April 1943

The War Advance was increased again 

in April 1943, this was raised again by 4s 6d.

Railway accident on the 

Southern Railway 

Brighton Section

BOMB DAMAGE TO BRIGHTON SECTION OF THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE

Bexhill Sunday 23rd May 1943
Brighton Depot & Pullman Shops & Viaduct Tuesday 25th May 1943

 PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN 

Brighton Pullman Shops after air raid

Eastbourne Friday 4th June 1943
Newhaven (near) Wednesday 18th August 1943

BOMB DAMAGE TO BRIGHTON SECTION OF THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY 

Kemp Town Friday 22nd October 1943

EASTBOURNE ENGINEMAN 

DICKIE COOMBES

AS TOLD BY HIS DAUGHTER DEBORAH READ 

Dickie Coombes tried to join the Navy like his older brother, but he was found out to be too young. His father (Eastbourne driver Walter Coombes) got him to join the railway without him realising that it was a reserved occupation. Once in, he couldn’t get out!! Dick was really used about it, but he soon realised just how dangerous it was during the war as the Germans tried to bomb the railways.

It was during the war and one day he was in the mess room that was on the side of the station looking up the tracks on the left. The sirens went off but they didn't run anywhere as they chose to watch what was happening as there a bit of a dog fight going on overhead, they saw a plane badly damaged but the pilot managed to jump out. Dad said that they all watched in horror as his parachute did open and came down not far in front of them. They ran over but the poor chap had come down feet first and dad said that his legs had been pushed straight up and out at his shoulders. Dead of course and british I understand.  Dad hadn't been there for very many weeks and was rather shaken. He always said that he could never get into a plane and be a parachutist. 

Eastbourne was always being targetted by the Germans with many people being killed. My mums father, having survived the WW1 battles became one of the civil defence men who cleared up the bodies that were killed after a strike. The worse was a large shelter in the town that lots of people went into and it was a direct hit. 

Dad said that one day walking to work a plane strafed  the road and everyone dropped into the gutters. Amazing how people just got on with it, picked themselves up and carried on to work. I don't know if there were any articles at the time about this pilot but it was certainly embedded in dad's memory.

LOCOMOTIVE JOURNAL

DECEMBER 1943

EDITOR NOTES

ENROLMENT IN HOME GUARD

We have found it necessary on two occasions during the current year to bring to the notice of our readers of these columns some pointed questions respecting the policy of enrolling enginemen into the Home Guard. It becomes a little refreshing to find that those in other quarters are also directing attention to some of the unnecessary duty which is being performed under the guise of " Home Guard " and "Fire-watching," to the detriment of their normal employment, which is essential in the nation's interest, particularly at the present moment. it is not surprising that certain Tory members in the "House" take exception to the statement which was recently made by the General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress on this subject. A number of the questions which were put and replied to by the Prime Minister  illuminating, not because of their disagreement with the statement which had been made by Sir Walter Citrine, but rather because of the fact that the Tory members concerned displayed a surprising lack of understanding of what is actually happening in industry. One  wonders whether the dignity displayed in the precincts of the House of Commons is so high that certain members of that body are living continually in a "world of dreams" or of  " make-  believe." Certainly those who claim to be ruling the nation should make themselves aware of the conditions under which industrial workers are doing their job in many instances to-day. We can only hope that who are residing in the constituencies which are represented by these honourable gentlemen will remember their attitude if and when an opportunity present itself of recording a vote for a candidate who will really represent their general viewpoint.

JUNIOR FIREMEN

The man-power difficulty has made it necessary for the Executive Committee to agree that juniors of 16 years of age and over can be appointed as firemen, on the understanding that they are to be used strictly in seniority order both for higher grade work and for appointment, and that the work which they should be occupied upon shall be determined by the Local Departmental Committee at each depot concerned. I am not unmindful of all that can be said against this proposal, neither am I overlooking the points which can be submitted in support therefore I do, however, want to urge all members to operate this decision in the best spirit, and to the general interest of all men in the line of promotion.

ADDITIONAL CLOTHING COUPONS

Our branches have been advised by circular of a decision reached by the Board of Trade by which the to additional clothing coupons will be made available to those included in G.O.S.10 during the present month, or in January, 1944. Particulars as to form of application to be made will be sent to all branches in due course and members are advised to make the necessary contact with their secretary.

ALARM CLOCK PERMITS

The position in respect to the issue of alarm clock permits has been set out in a circular to our branch secretaries, and I would advise all members to make themselves aware of the contents of the same, in order that the difficulties of the position may be fully understood.

TRAINS WORKED BY MEN IN H.M. FORCES

It is somewhat surprising to learn that in isolated instances certain trains are worked over the Main Line by men in the uniform of H.M. Forces. This policy is one which is not approved of by the Society, and the practice has been contested with the Ministry of War Transport, and satisfaction has usually been secured as a result of that approach. Branches are requested to advise us immediately of any introduction of this principle as it must and will be contested on every occasion. The reason for this policy will be readily appreciated if thought is given to the matter.

AID TO RUSSIA FUND

The Executive Committee have decided to close this Fund as from November 30. The reasons for this will be obvious. I would like to take the opportunity of extending my thanks to all who have shown so much interest in this very laudable object. As the result of the co-operation of our branch officers and others, and the generosity of our members, the total contributed by the Society to this Fund is almost £5,500. The effort has been correctly described by the Executive Committee as a magnificent one—of which all may be justly proud.

SICK CERTIFICATES

I regret to find that it is still necessary for me to direct attention to the late receipt of sick certificates. It should be known that in accordance with the provisions of Rule 29 (Clause 3) that sick certificates should be in the hands of our Kendal Office within three days of their issue from the doctor concerned. To make this possible, members should contact their branch secretary by post or otherwise when they find it necessary to submit a claim for sickness benefit. Failure to do this will create difficulty so far as the sick claim is concerned, as under the section of the Rule referred to sickness benefit can be declined. Will all members please note this