A BRIEF  HISTORY OF THE BRIGHTON BRANCHES 

of Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, National Union of Railwaymen, 

& the National Union of Railwaymen, Maritime & Transport Workers.


The first branch of A.S.R.S. was established in Brighton on the 7th July 1872, and their meeting were held in the Club House at the New England Inn, a second branch was established on the 3rd January 1887, and their meeting were held in the Railway Mission Rooms in Brighton 

Listed below are the known enginemen who were members of either branches, some transferred from the Brighton No.1 to the No.2.. 




BRIGHTON
07/07/1872 - 10/09/1881

DATES OF FIRST & LAST ENTRY OF ALL ENGINEMEN MEMBERS



NAME                   

Blanch, George
Browning, Edward  Cox, James
Ford, Charles
Gainsford, George 
Gill, Alfred
Harman, Henry
Pelling, Alfred
Vallance, William
GRADE

Driver
Driver
Fireman
Fireman
Fireman
Fireman
Driver
Fireman
Fireman
AGE 
                      
38
40
21
25
33
28
33
22
21
DATE OF ADMISSION

15/05/1878
 27/01/1878 
18/05/1879
25/02/1877
30/03/1877
27/02/1881
28/11/1874
27/10/1877
01/06/1873

 

OTHER BRIGHTON ENGINEMEN MEMBERS
AFTER 10/09/1881



NAME 
                  
King, James
GRADE 
                  
Driver
MEMBERSHIP BEFORE 
                  
Injured 14/10/1904
Died     15/10/1904
AGE

58





BRIGHTON No.1
DATES OF FIRST & LAST ENTRY OF ALL ENGINEMEN MEMBERS
12/01/1872 - 23/12/1888



NAME                   

Acastor, Thomas
Austin, Henry J 
Blaber, George
Bolton, George
Brooks, Harry
Crosswaite,Charls
Custas, William
Drayton, George
Eldridge, William
Ellis, George
Harwan, Richard
King, James
Lambourne, Alfred
Love, William
Oram, Alfred
Pont, Charles S.
Snelling, Henry
Stevens, Reubin
Taylor, Thomas
White, Alfred
GRADE

Driver
Driver
Driver
Driver
Fireman
Fireman
Fireman
Driver
Driver
Fireman
Fireman
Driver
Fireman
Driver
Fireman
Driver
Driver
Driver
Fireman
Driver
AGE 
                      
26
29
30
32
32
31
26
40
49
26
27
41
26
38
25
27
45
32
22
32
DATE OF ADMISSION

30/03/1872
11/08/1884 
25/02/1884
23/02/1887
17/06/1883
22/04/1883
04/11/1883
05/09/1884
22/04/1883
27/01/1872
17/01/1884
23/12/1888
27/01/1872
30/10/1875
03/12/1888
25/02/1884
22/02/1886
07/02/1887
29/10/1876
29/10/1876







ENGINEMEN MEMBERS LEFT EMPLOYMENT IN SERVICE




NAME
     
Murton, A.
Pelling, A.G.
Pont. C.S.
Croswaite, C.W.
Colwell, E.
Ellis, G.
Brooks, H.
Lincoln, H.
King, J.
Elliott, W.
JOINED

12/08/1897
27/10/1877
25/02/1884
22/04/1883
28/02/1906
27/02/1872
17/06/1883
08/10/1888
23/12/1888
07/07/1889
REASON

Old Age
Old Age
Old Age
Old Age
Accident
Old Age
Old Age
Old Age
Old Age
Old Age
DATE            AGE

1917                  60
29/10/1911        54
29/05/1919        63
11/07/1912        60
19/04/1909        54
02/04/1909        57
28/03/1910        60
23/12/1917        64 14/10/1904        63
1904                  65


Mitchell, Edward ??  03/12/1884


ENGINEMEN MEMBERS LEFT EMPLOYMENT IN SERVICE

OTHER BRIGHTON No. 1 ENGINEMEN MEMBERS
AFTER 23/12/1888



NAME 
                  
Clack, J.
Ford, H.J.
Jenner, R.R.
Reeves, G.
Smith, C.
GRADE 
                  
Fireman
Fireman
Fireman
Driver
Fireman
MEMBER BEFORE 
                  
Injured 01/03/1908
Injured 26/02/1907
Injured 16/10/1908
Injured 17/06/1917
Injured 05/06/1918
AGE 
                  
22
33
25
53
30




THE RAILWAY REVIEW

12TH NOVEMBER 1886

BRIGHTON BRANCH


The usual monthly meeting was held at the club house on Monday night last. The attendance of members was small, the absenteed including nearly the whole of the officers. The usual business was transacted. A member was granted two weeks' donations allowance. Several other claims were settled, and by resolution of the branch referring to the reduction of a fireman to a cleaner (which the members consider harsh treatment) was referred to the general office. A statement was made by a member who is making praiseworthy efforts to form a No.2 branch at Brighton. It caused a deal of discussion, and a resolution was moved that the matter be left over until next meeting, when it is hoped all members will make an effort to attend. Four new members were accepted.




----------




THE RAILWAY REVIEW

10TH DECEMBER 1886

BRIGHTON BRANCH


The usual monthly meeting was held on Monday last, at the New England Inn, with a very fair attendance, owing no doubt to the important business on hand, viz., the opening of a No.2 Branch here. Correspondence, claims, and other business was settled. The advisability of opening a No.2 Branch was considered, and a general discussion ensued. A vote was taken, resulting in favour of a second Branch. The secretary was instructed to make the necessary arrangements to open a No.2 Branch on the first Monday in the new year. The best week night meeting known to have been held was brought to a close at eleven p.m. Two new members were accepted.




THE RAILWAY REVIEW

7TH JANUARY 1887


OPENING OF A SECOND BRANCH OF THE A.S.R.S. AT BRIGHTON

On Monday, January 3rd, a fairly well attended meeting of railwaymen was held in the Lecture Hall, York Street, Brighton, for the purpose of hiring an address from Mr. T. Watson, the Organising Secretary of the A.S.R.S., and forming another branch in that town. An old signalman was elected chairman of the meeting. The Organising Secretary dealt very fully with the objects and benefits of the Society, dwelling particularly open its trade union character and the necessity of such a union among railway if they meant to retain the privileges granted a few years ago. The benefits of the Society were pointed out seriatim, and the lecturer his audience whether full value was not given for the contributions each was asked to pay. The address lasted one hour, and at its conclusion twenty five persons paid their entrance fees. The principal officers of the branch were then elected, and it was decided to hold meetings on the first Monday in each month at the same place at 7.30 p.m. It is expected that the branch will soon become a strong one, and great credit is due to one or two members of the old branch for their work in connection with the opening of this additional one. 




BRIGHTON No.2

DATES OF FIRST & LAST ENTRY OF ALL ENGINEMEN MEMBERS
20/03/1877 - 04/07/1887



NAME                   

Correy, George
Deakin, John 
Grover, Joseph
Heatt, Henry
McClorry, John
Packham, J.W.
Purser, Edward H.
Tompsett, John
Verral, William
Wiles, James
GRADE

Driver
Driver
Driver
Driver
Driver
Driver
Driver
Driver
Driver
Driver
AGE

No Age
No Age
26
No Age
33
28
No Age
No Age
28
24
DATE OF ADMISSION          

23/02/1887
17/04/1887
03/01/1887
23/02/1887
02/12/1883
28/03/1887
23/02/1887
23/02/1887
10/02/1883
24/03/1878




ENGINEMEN MEMBERS LEFT EMPLOYMENT IN SERVICE

NAME                 

Thompsett, J.
McClorry,J.T*
Coney, W.
JOINED                  

23/08/1883
02/12/1883
25/02/1882
REASON                  

Old Age
Old Age
Old Age
DATE                   AGE                  

30/11/1914                 60
30/11/1910                 60
11/10/1918                 62


*Could be McClary





THE HISTORY OF THE BRIGHTON

BRANCHES OF THE A.S.R.S. & N.U.R

BY BRIAN WHIPP 

SECRETARY OF BRIGHTON JOINT BRANCH N.U.R.



The railway came to Brighton in 1840 with later on, the workshops. Railwaymen have always been present in forging the history of Trade Unionism both locally in forming the Trades Council and nationally in sending Mr. J.T. Gladwin to the first Great Delegate meeting in the formation of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants in 1872.

The General Railway Workers Union are known to have formed a branch in Brighton in 1901with its secretary George Rayner becoming Trades Council Secretary in 1911. I have not the space to give the names and achievements of all the many activities since those early days but I must not fail to mention Richard Pennifold of the N.U.R. who when Vice President of the Trades Council was sent to prison as a conscientious objector in 1916 and later become President of the Trades Council and founder of the Brighton Labour College. Frank Day N.U.R., many times Secretary and President of Trades Council and Chairman of the Council of Action during the General Strike in 1926. In political developments J. Waterhouse N.U.R. was active for the Independent Labour Party in 1913. Many have held seats on the Local Council and the N.U.R. is still represented today.


--------


THE GENERAL RAILWAY WORKERS UNION 

BRIGHTON BRANCH

At a meeting held at the Workmen Club and Institutes on April the 12th, 1901. 

After an address from Mr. Grimshaw and Mr. Ingrham it was proposed and seconded, that a branch of the above be formed. Carried unanimously. 

W.J. Fox was elected secretary.



THE GENERAL RAILWAY WORKERS UNION 

BRIGHTON BRANCH

At a meeting held at the Workmen Club and Institutes on April the 26th, 1901. 

Election of officers  Chairman Mr. Ford, Mr. Swain, Mr. Spencer, Mr. Mann

Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed.




THE BRIGHTON R.M.T. COLLECTION

THE BRIGHTON NATIONAL UNION OF RAILWAYMEN C1921




It was in 1960 that the Conservative Minister of Transport, Mr. Marples together with the newly appointed British Railways Chairman Dr. Beeching embarked on the infamous "Beeching Axe" which led to the closure of railway lines and railway workshops.

Affected by this were the Lancing Works, employed as it did hundred of railway shopmen, many of who were in the Brighon Branch. When a National One Day Strike was called, the Brighton N.U.R. branches embarked on a mass protest march passing the old Sports Stadium in West Street, Brighton, where the Labour Party Conference was being held. Two thousand railwaymen wanton this great march. At the head of the march was the N.U.R. Brighton Group Banner. A marvellous banner some ten foot square main 1921. It had emblems on both sides (hand painted oil on silk) with matching satin edges. It rained that day, and after the march it was put away and forgotten. Time passed and all traces of it was lossed. Then in February this year, some 17 years later and after many attempts at tracing it, it was found in the loft go the Co-operative store, London Road, Brighton. This chance finding (along with four other Tree Union Banners) was by a wife of a Brighton Trades Union Council Officers. At first the banner was in-recognisable, but came to life after restoration of the oil paintings by the Trade Unions Council Labour History Project Sub Committee.


THE BRIGHTON HERALD 








THE BRIGHTON N.U.R. GROUP BANNER




THE BRIGHTON R.M.T. COLLECTION




For the restoration of the banner we are very grateful for all the hard work put in by Andy Burr who whilst being a lecturer at the Brighton Polytechnic Art Faculty is also president of the Brighton Trades Union Council. Over the years the banner (which was made by G.Tutill of London) has had a lot of use. We have been advised that it can never go out on a march again without the risk of further damage. With this in mind the branch members decided to place the banner on loan to the Trade Union Council with a view to it being placed on exhibition in the Brighton Industrial History Museum. They further decided to set up a "Banner Restoration Fund" to offset expenses already incurred and to renew the satin of the banner. Any present or pat member of the Brighton branches wishing to make a donation need only to get in  touch with me.

Since 1960 the three branches have amalgamated into one Joint Branch. It is significant that we have now a "Group" banner for a "Joint" Branch. Perhaps a good omen for Industrial Trade Unionism with perhaps one day one Union for all Railwymen at Brighton. We also recognised that after the early days of struggle by the men of the G.R.W.U., A.S.R.S., and N.U.R. in forming the Brighton Trades Council, it is new that body that has come to the aid of present day Railway Trade Union heritage. 






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