THIS WEBSITE, THE BRIGHTON BRANCH OF A.S.L.E.&F.
HAS NOW BEEN MOVED TO A NEW SITE CALLED
IGNITING THE FLAMING OF UNITY
http://ignitingtheflameofunity.yolasite.com/1934.php
PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO TRANSFER TO THIS NEW SITE
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TO THE NEW UPDATED COMBINED AND WEBSITE
IGNITING THE FLAME OF UNITY WEBSITE
THIS WEBSITE COMBINES THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES
THE BRIGHTON A.S.L.E.&F., THE BRIGHTON MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS
& THE SUSSEX MOTIVE POWER WEBSITES
WHICH EXPLAINS THE EVOLUTION OF THE FOOTPLATE GRADES AND THE HISTORY OF THEIR TRADE UNIONS AND THE STRUGGLES TO IMPROVE THEIR WORKING LIVES
THE CREATION OF BRIGHTON No.2 BRANCH
No. 1 BRANCH SECRETARY
F. STEVENSON 1934 -1936
(Footplate Seniority 20.06.1900)
No. 2 BRANCH SECRETARY
F. BROOKER 1934 -1935
(Footplate Seniority 19.07.1901)
In May 1934 the Brighton Branch of A.S.L.E.F. was split with
the Enginemen and Firemen working at the Steam
Locomotive Shed becoming Brighton No. 1 Branch with
Engineman Bro F. Stevenson continuing in the role as branch
secretary.
The Motormen working at Brighton Lovers Walk Electric
Multiple Unit Depot and West Worthing Electric Car Sheds
becoming Brighton No.2 Branch with Brighton based
Motorman Bro F. Booker being duly elected to become the
first branch secretary of the newly opened No.2 branch. The
Brighton No. 2 branch opened with 58 A.S.L.E.F. members of
which 44 where at the Brighton depot and 14 at the West
Worthing depot. This gives an indication to the sizes of the
two depots but not an exact figure.
Over the next few years the expanding Southern railway
electrification programme was to change the face of many
Steam depots along the Sussex coast, with some depots and
men transferring from the Locomotive Grade (Engineman)
into the Electric Multiple Unit Grade (Motorman). At some
locations where there was still the need to for a Locomotive
depot a separate Motorman’s Depot would also be opened.
With the expanding electrification of the Railways serving
Brighton East and West Coast Brighton No 2 Branch started
to become bigger until eventually becoming one of the largest
Motorman’s depots on the Southern Railway, whilst West
Worthing Motorman’s Depot remained in the shadow of its
larger neighbour.
In June 1935 saw electrification of the main East coast line
being completed between Brighton to Ore direct and with the
spur lines via Eastbourne. Also completed was the route
between Seaford to Horsted Keynes via Plumpton linking up
to the main line from Brighton at Keymer Junction. This
brought about the introduction of more electric train
services. This in return created three new Motormen depots
at Ore (the main depot on the East coast) with 26 Motormen
positions, Eastbourne with 10 Motormen positions and
Seaford with 8 Motormen positions, of which 2 positions
where filled by Brighton Motormen transferring within the
grade. It has always been the case that on the Central
Section of the Southern Railway to have small Motorman’s
depots at terminal stations, junctions or other key locations.
With less than fifty jobs being created through electrification,
this was not nearly enough to absorb the mass job losses in
the subsequent redundancies in the locomotive depots
affected (St Leonards, Eastbourne, Newhaven and Brighton)
and as a result this meant many Enginemen and Firemen
having to move throughout the Southern Railway to stay
within the Grade.
Owing to the expansion of the electrification in 1935, the
Brighton Motorman’s depot saw two small influxes of
Enginemen transferring from Brighton loco depot 5 new
Motormen in May and a further 8 in December. There was no
increase to the size of the West Worthing depot. The Brighton No.2
Branch had by the end of December 1935 a combined
membership of 70 members.
After the end of the Second World War the Railways of Great
Britain were nationalised by the new Labour Government
and in 1948 the Brighton Division of the Southern Railway
became part of the Central Division of the Southern Region
of the new British Railways.
PAUL EDWARDS COLLECTION
Brighton Lover’s Walk Shed Code
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
PAUL EDWARDS COLLECTON
Above:
Commemorating the 50th anniversary of Brighton No.2
Branch designed by Alan Ricketts.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
One of Brighton's No.2 Branch's earliest branch members
The opening pages of A.S.L.E.F.'s Brighton No.2 Branch
subscription book from May 1934.
PAUL EDWARDS COLLECTION
The un-edited pages of the Brighton No.2 Branch sub-scriptions book as of May 1934
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
West Worthing Station, the terminating point of electrification 1933 - 1938.
BRIGHTON No.2 BRANCH
WEST WORTHING MEMBERS 1934
PAUL EDWARDS COLLECTION
Above Brighton No.2 Branch sub-scriptions book page 1, shows the West Worthing members
It appears from these open pages of the Branch sub-book, that members at the newly opened West Worthing depot
joined the A.S.L.E.F. within the first few months of the depot being opened.
This is indicated by the dates in the left hand
column is the date the members joined A.S.L.E.F.
This page also shows the names of the original 14 West Worthing A.S.L.E.F. members and gives an indication of the size
of the depot. It is not known at this moment in time, the exact size of West Worthing depot.
It was only a matter of time that A.S.L.E.F. was to be recognised as the only voice for footplate-men regardless of their
grade within the line of promotion. This is reflected in the high number of Motormen joining A.S.L.E.F. after they had
transferred in to their new grade.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Above H.G. Pepperell who was one of the first Leading Motorman at West Worthing and become a member of A.S.L.E.F
in October 1933, he also was branch
Leading Motorman/Driver was responsible for posting altered diagrams, weekly roster and various at their depot owing
to the depot having no Foreman Motorman. The leading Motorman/Driver would received an allowance for such duties
and was normally given to the senior Motorman/Driver on each of the two shifts.
This practice still continues at certain depots within various railway companies
BRIGHTON No.2 BRANCH
BRIGHTON MEMBERS 1934
PART 1
PAUL EDWARDS COLLECTION
Above Brighton No.2 Branch sub-scriptions book page 1 the Brighon membership.
Unlike many of the West Worthing motormen, many of the motormen at Brighton had been A.S.L.E.F. members for many
years prior to the opening of the new motormen’s depot. The motorman with longest members was W.G. Lewery who had
joined in A.S.L.E.F. in 1904.
This page along with the following two pages, shows the names of the original 44 Motormen belonging to the Brighton
No.2 Branch. This gives a good indication of the size of Brighton's Motormen's depot in 1934.
The opening pages cover the months of 1934 & 1935 with the membership paying their contributions.
Right & Above are the seniority lists for both Brighton and
West Worthing Motorman's depots, based on the locomen that
appeared in the Brighton No. 2 A.S.L.E.F. Branch sub-
scription book and from the Southern Railway Seniority book
of 1925.
This information gives an indication of the length of footplate
service that these locomen had served, prior to them
transferring into the motortmen's grade.
Many of these motormen joined A.S.L.E.F. just prior to the
formation of the opening of the No.2 branch. This date may
have some connected to the date when they transferred to the
motorman's grade?
BRIGHTON No.2 BRANCH
BRIGHTON MEMBERS 1934
PART 2
PAUL EDWARDS COLLECTION
Above Brighton No.2 Branch sub-scriptions book page 2 the Brighon membership.
These pages gives a true account of the A.S.L.E.F. membership within the Brighton No.2 Branch. and a rough indication
of the size of Brighton's Motormen's depots during 1934 - 35.
A rough idea also can be gained of the length of service and age of some of the Motormen prior to them transferring
from the Brighton Loco Dept./Brighton No. 1 Branch to the Motormen's grade in 1932.
BRIGHTON No.2 BRANCH
BRIGHTON MEMBERS 1934
PART 3
PAUL EDWARDS COLLECTION
Above Brighton No.2 Branch sub-scriptions book page 3 the Brighton membership.
Motormen A. Pearce came from Three Bridges and W. E. Reed came from Reigate, transferred into Brighton by
September 1934.
In 1935 Brightom Motorman F. Gurman joined A.S.L.E.F. on 31st June 1935. F. Gurman and A. Pearce (ex T.Bdgs &
Nhvn) both of them later transferred to the newly opened Motormen's depot at Seaford in July 1935.
Motorman W. H. Reed transferred from Three Bridges to Brighton just prior to June 1935.
PAUL EDWARDS COLLECTION
Above Brighton No.2 Branch sub-scriptions book page 3 with new members transferring from Brighton No.1 Branch.
With the expansion of the electrification on the East coast routes, the Brighton depot increase to cater for additional
work and by the September of 1935, a further five Brighton Enginemen, transferring from the Brighton No.1 Branch. By
the December of that year another eight Brighton Enginemen transferred to the Motorman's depot.
With further expansion of electrification from West Worthing to Portsmouth and down the Mid-Sussex line. The
Motorman's depot along with the Brighton No.2 Branch grew, with more steam drivers transferring across from the
steam depot to the Motorman's Depot.
It was a reconised practise for "Dual Link" drivers to firstly get their appointments at West Worthing and later transfer
back to the Motorman's depot at Brighton. This was also the case for many Motormen who where trying to transfer
within the motorman's grade. At Brighton, along with other Sussex coastal depots, these depots where considered to be
"Dead Men's Shoes" depots. This practise continued up until the Motormen grade was phased out.
It must be noted, that some footplate-men did not want to join any trade union, or where reluctant to leave the
Amalgamated Society of Railway Servant (later becoming the National Union of Railwaymen (A.S.R.S./N.U.R) owing to
their past loyalty to this trade union.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Short Circuit Bar training on the down loop at Preston Park, the year is unknown.
Above is a memo sent to Brighton engine driver Fred Horsman, informing him of his retirement.
Fred had entered the footplate grades on the 24.06.1889, and through out his railway service he remained a member of
the A.S.R.S. & later the N.U.R.
This was case of many engine man of that the period .
REPRESENTATION FOR MOTORMEN
Extracted and adapted from the Seaford Branch of A.S.L.E.F. minute book.
A Special Joint Meeting of Motormen from the Sussex Coastal depots, of Brighton, West Worthing, Seaford, Eastbourne &
Ore. The meeting was held on Sunday 10th May, 1936. The elected Chairman for the meeting, gave a l
engthy explanation of the current situation, and letters were read out from A.S.L.E.F. General Office, the Sectional Council,
Secretary, Bro. F. Jeans, and from Herbert Jones Southern Railway.
After the report from the Chairman and the correspondence had read out, a lengthy discussion took place which resulting a
motion being put to the meeting. The motion was moved and seconded from Seaford Branch, moved Motorman, Bro. A.
Pearce and seconded by Bro. H. Stedman which read as follows:-
"We the Motormen of Eastbourne, Seaford, Ore, Brighton and West Worthing, supported by the London District, and call
upon the Executive Committee to act immediately, and take up with Southern Railway Company our requirement, having
failed to get satisfaction through correspondence to Sectional Council Secretary. To press our claim for Representation and
the attitude taken by Herbert Jones against the agreed machinery, further the non-attention to genuine report" ."We call
upon General Office to allow a Central meeting of Motormen to deal with questions, effecting all Motormen on Southern
Railway's Railway." "Having failed to get permission to our previous resolution to sanction a meeting as per letter of 24th
February G95/53, we demand in the interest of Motormen and Society a special meeting for Southern Railway Motormen be
held at Brighton. This is in accordance with all Depots failing permission for same it to be called for Sunday 31st May at
6.45 p.m. and expenses be covered by collection at meeting". Carried Unanimously.
Following this motion another was moved by Seaford Motorman Bro. A. Pearce, and seconded by Brighton Branch
Chairman, Motorman Bro. W. Lewery (B'ton No.2 Branch).
"Secretary send letter to reach Organising Secretary Bro. J. V. Sweeney by Friday mornings post (re cancelling meeting)."
The meeting was then finally closed with a hearty vote of thanks to visitors who attended this meeting, this was moved by
Seaford Branch Chairman, Motorman Bro. F. Wilmshurst.
Organising Secretary Bro. J. V. Sweeney, arranged a meeting to be held at at the Brighton Labour Club, this meeting was to
be held on Sunday 21st June, and starting at 2.30 p.m. At this meeting, Bro. J. V. Sweeney gave a up to date report to the
Motormen, after which a number of various discussions and questions were raised, and after three hours, the meeting was
finally adjourned. Bro. J. V. Sweeney was to reconvene a further meeting. This meeting was arranged for Sunday 28th June,
which saw two meetings being held, one being a morning meeting, starting at 10.30 a.m. which was followed by an evening
meeting, starting at 6.30 p.m. This was to enable as many Motormen as possible to attend from both the early and late shifts.
Organising Secretary Bro. J. V. Sweeney, gave a further detailed report of the current situation and after lengthy discussion,
the Seaford Branch Secretary, Motorman A. E. Harrison, moved a resolution, that spelt out the feelings of the vast majority
of Motormen, who were in attendance at both of these meetings, the motion reads as follows.
"That this main meeting of Motormen, view with grave dissatisfaction the delay with which the complaints of Motormen are
dealt with, and are of the opinion that in its present operation the machinery is inadequate to deal with such complaints. We
express the opinion that the number of appointed representatives of Motormen is inadequant and that immediate steps
should be taken by the Society to increase the number of L.D.C. from 5 to 6."
"Further we suggest that consideration be given to the setting up of a separate Sectional Council for Motormen for the
purpose of speeding up the settlement of matters in dispute by representations competent in technical knowledge of varying
subjects."
"Further in view of our increased numbers, we express the opinion that we should be given increased representation on the
E.C."
"Further with a view to assisting the E.C. and the Sectional Council to promote these objects a Motorman’s vigilance
Committee be appointed for the purpose of collecting necessary facts and submitting them to the proper authority."
"We ask the E.C. to obtain this or suggest some better method whereby the business can be carried out more quickly and
satisfactory."
The resolution was carried with only one Motorman voting against the resolution. A Special Meeting was called for 13
September. (No info available yet!!).
Eventually a position on the Executive Committee was created to represent the views and issues of the Motorman grade.
BRIGHTON LOCO OUTING c1939
BRIGHTON LOCO-MEN AND MOTORMEN
PICK UP POINT PRESTON PARK SOUTH END
RON HUBBARD COLLECTION
Back Row Standing
H 'Soapy' Watson (Ernie), Reg Taylor, A. Stubbs, ?, ?, H. Hemsley, Alf Reichart, A. Hazel (Harry), L. (Lincoln?) Godley,
George Johnson, Jack Peirce, Les Bunker, ?, Fred Reakes.
Front Row Standing
Chas Taylor, ‘Buster’ Brown (Bill), ?, Harry Mitchell, Bill Aldrych, Spud Taylor, C. Wood (Silas), Harry Ware, ?, ?, H.
Durnell, (Jack?) Bell, ?, Verennes, ?, ?, Foreman Motorman, ? Cudge Taylor.
Back Row Sitting
Bert Bolingbroke, C. Crosswaite, Works Driver, C. Peirce, Fred Wheeler, Les Parker, Stan Jessop
Front Row Sitting
C. Evans (Charlie), K. Peirce, H. Wilson (Flash Harry (P.O.W.), Jim Hatcher, T. Ward (Tommy), H. Skinner (Harry), ?, ?, T.
Smith (Tommy), Bert Parker, McVerall (Canadian W.W.I).
50 in total, 37 named & 13 Unknown
THE BRIGHTON BRANCH OF A.S.L.E.&F. WEBSITE.
HAS NOW BEEN MOVED TO A NEW SITE CALLED
IGNITING THE FLAMING OF UNITY
https://ignitingtheflameofunity.yolasite.com/
PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW
TO TRANSFER TO THIS NEW SITE
CLICK ON THE ABOVE IMAGE TO TAKE YOU
TO THE NEW UPDATED COMBINED AND WEBSITE
IGNITING THE FLAME OF UNITY WEBSITE
https://ignitingtheflameofunity.yolasite.com/
THIS WEBSITE COMBINES THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES
THE BRIGHTON A.S.L.E.&F., THE BRIGHTON MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS
& THE SUSSEX MOTIVE POWER WEBSITES
WHICH EXPLAINS THE EVOLUTION OF THE FOOTPLATE GRADES AND THE
HISTORY OF THEIR TRADE UNIONS AND THE STRUGGLES TO IMPROVE
THEIR WORKING LIVES
CLICK ON THE ABOVE IMAGE TO TAKE YOU
TO THE NEW UPDATED COMBINED AND WEBSITE
IGNITING THE FLAME OF UNITY WEBSITE
https://ignitingtheflameofunity.yolasite.com/
THIS WEBSITE COMBINES THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES
THE BRIGHTON A.S.L.E.&F., THE BRIGHTON MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS
& THE SUSSEX MOTIVE POWER WEBSITES
WHICH EXPLAINS THE EVOLUTION OF THE FOOTPLATE GRADES AND THE
HISTORY OF THEIR TRADE UNIONS AND THE STRUGGLES TO IMPROVE
THEIR WORKING LIVES