First Socialist Public Meeting in Hillingdon

First Socialist Public Meeting in Hillingdon

In July 1907 The London Standard announced that the London Clarion Scouts planned an “invasion” of Uxbridge, however the project was abandoned because of “inclement weather”. It then fell to the Southall Clarion Scouts to carry through on the plan and accordingly embarked upon the journey to St Margaret’s church Uxbridge on Saturday July 13th 1907 with the aim of initiating out what was the first socialist meeting ever held in Uxbridge at the old pump outside the church,

The local paper covered the event accordingly “The meeting one of the first open air meetings held in Uxbridge was held outside St Margaret’s Church, the chief speaker being Councillor Horace Lucia (Southall) he explained that they (Socialists) aimed at the nationalisation of all means of production, distribution and exchange - not in order to rob anybody in any shape whatever, but in order to prevent the people, the workers being robbed as they were at present.
Socialism, he claimed, concerned life at every point, and would certainly sweep away the present unwholesome and unsanitary conditions in which so many of the working classes had to live, a condition, too which meant that they were underfed, badly clothed, and ill housed. He urged that the land, machinery, and other means of producing wealth. Should be utilised for the benefit of the whole nation, and not, as now, for the enrichment of a comparative few, while the mass of the people never knew how they were going to live from week to week.

Finally, he urged that if the people wanted social reforms carried out, they must look to no party but their own for they would get nothing which they did not strenuously claim and work for on their own behalf.

In November 1907 the Uxbridge gazette reported on the following regular events on Saturday night at the pump at St Margaret’s Church Uxbridge , “The visitor to Uxbridge may see on any Saturday night just how the local people like the teachings of Socialism. Be it understood that the Uxbridge Socialist Society assembled themselves (with important speakers) in the triangle just outside the Church in Windsor Street and mounted on a box painted in flaming red, proclaimed to the public some of the advantages of Socialism. But the funny part of the whole business is that the Uxbridge people wont see the Socialists emphasise (ie) that “Socialism alone is the salvation of the masses” one of our staff went out of curiosity to watch the proceedings and the following transcript from his notebook will show pretty clearly the kind of reception the red flag has received
SOCIALIST ORAITOR: “the capitalists are..
THE CROWD: “Three cheers for Sir Frederick” (The local Tory MP)
SOCIALIST ORAITOR: “The wage slaves of England”
THE CROWD: “Good old Joe”
SOCIALIST ORAITOR: “You sweated workers”
THE CROWD: “Rot, Ailens, Jews”
SOCIALIST ORAITOR: “Think of your present conditions, I heard a man just now he had lost his job “
THE CROWD: an egg or two is thrown
THE CROWD: “Tariff Reform”
THE CROWD: Then a none too musical voice rises to song “If I could only take your hand” The notes are rendered in the slowest possible manner the musical susceptibilities of one of the socialists are hurt.
SOCIALIST ORAITOR: leaves the box and a colleague fills the vacancies.
SOCIALIST ORAITOR: “ ill sing you a song (he says) The red flag and he gets no further. Boisterous laughter is all that is heard, discard reigns. Supreme despair on the faces of the red flaggers.
A Policeman walks round with a merry twinkle in his eye ONE VOICE: “Three cheers for Joe”
THE CROWD: in unison they come back ONE VOICE: “And now three cheers for John Burns”
THE CROWD: “Boo - Boo - Boo - ray” When this has been repeated some half a dozen times.
THE CROWD: Sing God Save the Queen, two or three times

All then becomes quiet the Socialists have departed the crowd follows suit The Socialists however, before they went promised to return on Sunday morning.
The Secretary of Uxbridge Socialist Society was in 1907 Mr A.D. Notley of 8 Tachbrook Road, Uxbridge, who became a well known Uxbridge Socialists family.

At the end of September/early October 1908 a Socialist Van (This must have been a Clarion). The “Vanners” “entered upon a three day match with lungs and wit at Uxbridge, for about three hours each evening the pavement under the Market House rang with the heavy shock of the wordy warfare, and it must be admitted that the Socialist Orator held their own remarkably well”

Vimy Ridge - April 1917 - 95th Anniversary - A Nation Born

As 5,000 young Canadians gather at the site of the famous battle of Vimy Ridge, France to remember the 3,600 men killed and 7,000 wounded the 9th to 12th April 1917.

Significantly, the capture at great cost of Vimy Ridge by the Canadian forces represents the rise of Canadian nationhood and the maple leaf as the national flag.

On this 95th Anniversary of Vimy Ridge, we also should recall those sons of Hillingdon residents who gave their lives fighting for Canada and remember the thousands of Canadians stationed around Hillingdon during World War One, the Canadian miners and lumberjacks at Denham Camp (Buckinghamshire) and the Canadian hospital in Uxbridge High Street which opened in January 1916

The Canadian Tunnelling Corps (Canadian Miners), and Canadian signalmen at Denham camp, Buckinghamshire (July 1917) and the Canadian Foresters at Windsor Great Park

Canadian Hospital at Hillingdon House and Canadian Club at 156 or 158 Uxbridge High Street opened in January 1916.

CANADIAN BROTHERS KILLED ON SAME DAY AT VIMY RIDGE

Ernest and George White sons of Samuel George and Emily White 20 Lawn Road, Uxbridge Middlesex both 10th Company 4th battalion Canadian Machine Corps, Canadian Expeditionary Force, who both died on the attack on Vimy Ridge 11th April 1917. Four White brothers Joined Calgary 1914

PALMER BROTHERS HAYES CANADIANS

The Palmer Brothers from Hayes, Middlesex, England sons of Hayes Labour Party founder and first Hayes Labour Councillor Henry Palmer died fighting in the Canadian Army.

William Alfred Palmer, Eastern Ontario Reg (Killed 26 th April 1916 buried Woods Cemetery, Belgium).

Lieutenant Henry Arthur Palmer, Central Ontario Reg (killed 30th September 1918 buried Cantimpre Canadian Cemetery, Nord France)


PRIVATE HERBERT FRANK NEWMAN
Death of Private Herbert Frank M Newman
(photo right)

After having risked the dangers of war for four years Private Herbert Frank M Newman, younger son of Mr William Newman of Harefield Road, Uxbridge (previously Holley Cottage, Brickfield Road, Uxbridge) was siezed with influenza and after only three days illness passed away in camp at Bramshott.
The Deceased was thirty years of age, previously employed at an Uxbridge Mill he went to Canada seven years ago, and when War broke out he "answered the call" and had been on active service with the Canadian Forces (25th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Nova Scotia Regiment) practically ever since. He was wounded but had recovered and was looking forward to an early return to civilian life when he was seized with illness which so suddenly proved fatal. Much sympathy is extended to his young wife and other relatives in their bereavement. wreaths from nurses and staff Canadian Hospital Bramshott, staff at Boxmoor Wharf and comrades at Bramshott camp.

With full military honours, the funeral took place at Hillingdon Cemetery on Wednesday morning. The coffin covered with a union jack, was borne to the cemetery on a gun carriage, and the cortege was met by a Canadian Army Chaplin who impressively conducted the service,

Following the service, volleys were fired over the grave and buglers sounded the last post (picture of Private Newman ) (Advertiser & Gazette 28 February 1919).

Private Herbert Frank Newman born 30th November 1888, died 07/02/19195ft 6 inches, complexion dark, tall, Brown eyes, Black hair, scar on right forefinger. Joined up Lindsay, Ontario, Canada 18th March 1915. 25th Battalion Canadian Infantry (Nova Scotia Regiment), Occupation Miller
Husband of Gladys P.J. Newman, of 53, The Lynch, Uxbridge, Middlesex.

Canadian Sports Day - England 1917

Dolphin Ground, Slough Saturday September 20th 1917. Canadian Lumberjack and Military Sports including Baseball match Canadian Foresters (Smith's Lawn) V ? ? Another ??? ? Log rolling, log sawing, chopping, best turned out, Logging Team

Uxbridge History

Leno's History of Uxbridge

In 1870, Matthew Leno had a shoe and clothing shop in the place now occupied by Mr Butler, opposite the market house, Uxbridge and he published a sixpenny pamphlet, entitled "The history of Uxbridge", in a condensed and popular form from the earliest times to the present; by John Bedford Leno author of "Drury lane Lyrics"The Autobiography of a Shilling "etc ,

The main portion of the earlier history was doubtless compiled from the more complete work of George Redford and Thomas Hurry Riches, but quite a lot of new and later details were included, some of these being quaint and little known to the present generation. For instance, he tells us that "The chief business thoroughfares are London Street, high Street, Windsor Street (formerly called the lynch) and Vine Street (formerly Blind Lane or Woolwind Lane). also that the town was divided into two wards under the local Board of health, the old township being known as the "Inward" and the part lying without as the "outward".

28 September 1917 The Advertiser & Gazette


St Margaret National School erected in 1864
A School of industry for girls erected 1816 (George's Fields)
The British School for Boys (Cowley Road)
The Public Rooms (or Town hall) erected 1836 (London Street)
Belmont Hall erected 1866
The Uxbridge Old bank established 1806


A Petty Session has been held for over 150 years prior to 1917, held every Monday at the uxbridge Town Hall

Theatre buit 1869

The Grand Junction Canal was opened at Uxbridge in 1805

The Uxbridge (Vine Street) Station of the Great Western Railway 8 th September 1856

Uxbridge Fair Days

25th March
31st July
29th September
11th October

Uxbridge Wool Fair 1st August



Sheep worrying at Southall
In late 1917 at Uxbridge County Court William Goddard of Waxlow Manor farm, Southall sued William Morgan of the "Hare & Hounds" Northolt for £37, 8 s, 9d being damages for injury to twelve in lamb ewes by the defendants Airedale terrier dogs at Waxlow Manor Farm, Southall on the morning of 29th December 1916

The defendant William Morgan was now serving with Royal Marines at Chatham

The case continued

SIGNALMAN

Mr W. M Cheney retired from service as a signalman for the Great western railway after thirty eight years service. twenty three at Slough GWR station then later at west Drayton and maidenhead. Retired September 1917

HAYES SALEM CHAPEL

The Rev Henry R Rutherford who is coming from Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, Yorkshire to take up the pastorate of Hayes Salem Baptist Church September 1917, Hayes. Rev Henry Rutherford is a native of Ulster, but as his name indicates his ancestory comes from Scotland.

Rev Rutherford was in business for several years before taking up religious work aged 21 at Chadderton, Oldham, at one point he worked at the baptist Chapel in Athlone, Ireland and later (in July 1912) to Slaithwaite.

NATIONAL UNION OF RAILWAYMEN (NUR)
Uxbridge Branch of the National Union of Railwaymen (NUR) established 1913.
W. Tulett Chairman since 1913.

By July 1917 it had been reported that the National Union of Railwaymen (NUR) has had 2,785 members killed in the War to date.

Michael Walker

Johnny Ralph - Socialist & Champion Cyclist

Johnny Ralph

John "Johnny" Ralph was a champion cyclist and a committed Communist Party member.

He was born on 6th October 1931 at Hammersmith hospital and his family lived locally in the Acton and Hammersmith area. His father was Fredrick Ralph, a motor fitter for Wimpey, and his mother Bessie originated from near Poole, Dorset.

At the start of World War Two, he and his sister were evacuated to Dorset. After a period of time, his mother sent him and his sister to live at Johnny’s grandparents. They also lived in Dorset– Johnnie’s grandfather was a fishermen by trade. While in Dorset, he attended school at Shipstall, Wareham, Dorset, which he later recalled was a long walk from his grandparents’ house

When Wimpey’s, the construction company that Ralph’s father worked for, relocated to Denham, Buckinghamshire, Frederick was able to move there. Wimpey had built huts for staff near to the aerodrome. Johnny and his sister joined their father and the boy joined the Uxbridge Wheelers Cycling Club, which had been established in 1936.

It was at this that Johnny met his future wife, Jean Hunter, in around 1948. Jean came from Uxbridge and was a local nurse; she later worked as a manager in Hillingdon Social Services.

Later Johnny undertook his National Service; during this period, he was based at Hendon and spent the majority of his time racing and training for RAF cycling team. He described his national service, unlike many others, as a “cushy number” – although this was not a general experience!

After National Service Johnny undertook a motor fitting apprentice but later secured a job as a laboratory technician and instrument maker at Taylor Woodrow at Ruislip Lane, Uxbridge, Middlesex joining the ASTMS trade union.

His cycling was going from strength to strength but he needed more track racing experience and subsequently joined the highly prestigious, Regent Street-based cycling club, Polytechnic “Poly” around 1949. This was a large club, with over two hundred members of which half were racing cyclists, knows as “Poly-boys”. The team-kit colours of were a blue based jersey with a red band in the middle and they raced at Herne Hill and Paddington track.

By the mid 1950s, Johnny was working his way up to the very elite of his sport, excelling in sprint and five and ten mile races. He participated in national championships and was a team pursuit champion, while regularly cycling for England.

Dennis Seacombe described Johnny as “very good rider”. This may have been an under-estimation! However his misfortune was to be cycling at a time when the great Reg Harris was at the very pinnacle of his success, for he often overshadowed Johnnie Ralph’s many achievements.

He also had the misfortune of being selected to race for England at the Empire games in Cardiff in1958, but a puncture robbed him of that opportunity for victory. Worse still, because of this injury, Johnny was not able to work for a living and Polytechnic agreed to make a relatively small donation to his wife to help them make ends meet.

He represented England at events in Germany, Denmark and France and he was a member of the "Poly" team pursuit team that won the national team pursuit in 1957

But this was to prove a bitter pill for Johnny. He had joined the Communist Party and now wished to ride for the famous socialist Clarion Cycling Club. But the Polytechnic Club demanded the repayment of the donation and, when Johnny understandably refused, the Poly Club went to the Cycling Unionto ban him from racing. They were able to pull this off, leading Johnny to feel that all the power in cycling was concentrated in the hands of those with “the right hand shake”, a reference to Masonic influences.

Despite the ban on him racing, Johnny continued training younger cyclists at his favorite track, Palmer Park, Reading, one of the oldest in the country.

In the 1950s, John secured a job at Fairey Aviation at Park Way Hanger Lane, later moving to Fairey, Hayes, West Middlesex. Whilst there, Johnny met a number of leading Communists who worked for Fairey, such as Frank Foster and John Mansfield. However, as Johnny was working on a guided missile system, the company was less than pleased when Johnny announced he was visiting the GDR (East Germany) to compete in a cycle race.

Totally out of the blue, Johnnie was offered a job at a small company on much better terms and conditions. So, he left Fairey but when he arrived at the new company the potential contract and job had mysteriously disappeared. Johnny then tried to secure his old job back at Fairey Aviation but soon realised he had been `blacklisted’. From then on, he recalled, he would often secure a new job, only to be told later that his references were not acceptable. In the end, despite being a skilled man, he was forced to undertake window cleaning to earn a living. Later, he secured a job with the LondonCo-operative transport maintenance department based at Yiewsley and then a post back at Taylor Woodrow.

Johnny Ralph had been greatly influenced by a fellow Uxbridge cyclist and West Drayton trade unionist, a veteran committed socialist, Bob “Digger” Downs. There were many others, such as Communist cyclists like Fred Riley of Slough, a Communist Party full-timer; Harold Goodwin, a former merchant seaman and Party member; Bob Bragan, a Geordie and Communist teacher at Harlington Primary School, and his wife, Edith, who hailed from Birmingham. There was Stan & Nora Emeversley of Ivor; Stan being a former South Walesminer who was suffering from pneumoconiosis. Harold Thomas was another, and there was Dickie Bond, who had cycled in the Workers’ Olympics in the 1930s. (See separate entries for many of these personalities.)

Johnny sold the Daily Worker and later Morning Star on a regular basis on Saturdays outside the Uxbridge tube station, as well as standing as a Communist Party candidate for Hillingdon East. Along with many progressives in Hillingdon in his later years, he worked for John McDonnell, MP, from when he was first a GLC councillor for Hayes.

On 8^th July 1984, Johnny and his eldest son Stephen went for an early morning ride while on holiday in Dorset. When descending Corfe Castle, he was involved in an accident with a car and caravan which had failed to see either him or his son. As a result, Johnny Ralph was severely injured, tragically dying in hospital on the 11^th July 1984.

He was cremated at Uxbridge and his funeral was very well attended by local dignitaries, including leading trade unionists and Communists such as Mike Hicks (Print Union - living in Hayes), Fred Riley, and Harold Goodwin.

Later an Uxbridge pedestrian and cycle crossing – possibly in Cowley Road– was named after Johnnie. Surprisingly, but much to his credit, local Tory leader of the council, Andrew Boff (now a GLA member), who had known John and his son, was associated with this.

Tragically, one daughter (Lisa) was killed as a pillion rider on a motorcycle. Johnnie’s oldest son, Stephen, has gone on to a successful career in computers and another son is a director of youth and community services.

His wife, Jean, who went through all the tribulations of Johnny’s many victimisation's as well as his triumphs, continued to be an ardent defender of her husband’s memory.

Photo- Johnny Ralph winning the Cooper Cup at Herne Hill 1957

Many thanks and apologies to Jean Ralph for corrections

Uxbridge Shop Workers Union 1906

UXBRIDGE
National Amalgamamted Union of Shop Assistants, Warehousemen and Clerks Union

Meeting of the Uxbridge branch of the National Amalgamamted Union of Shop Assistants, Warehousemen and Clerks was held at Middleton Restaurant, Uxbridge 63 St Andrew's on Tuesday evening 17th April 2oth 1906.

The Uxbridge branch being active as early as 1903.

The National Amalgamamted Union of Shop Assistants, Warehousemen and Clerks union had been formed at a meeting held between the East London Shop Assistants Association and the Warehouse Assistant's Union and established on at a conference held in Birmingham on 29th and 30th March 1891. In 1947 the union merged tobcome USDAW.

At the 1906 Uxbridge branch meeting the speaker was Mr J, Turner organiser L.D.C (London District Committee ?) and Mr Thacker, Chairman of LDC.

Mr Turner condemed the "Living In" scandal (forced to live above the shop) and spoke of the need for better wages and improvement of the treatment.

Mr W. Watson is the Secretary of the Uxbridge Branch National Amalgamated Union of Shop Assistants, Warehousemen and Clerks union.


Emila Dilke was involved with the Women's Protective and Provident League, later the Women's Trade union League (WTUL), from near its inception in 1874 and she served as President of the WTUL for many years until her death.




YIEWSLEY & WEST DRAYTON CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY
UXBRIDGE STORE OPEN'S 1910


Uxbridge store of the Yiewsley and West Drayton Co-operative established 1893 opened Friday 11th March 1910 at 31 and 32 Windsor Street, Uxbridge, this was the Co-operatives second store after Yiewsley.

President: H.J. Chilton
Secretary: E.Cox

Arthur Groves - Cable Street

Fifty years after the
Battle of Cable Street Arthur's still putting two Left feet down against extreme Right

By Tim Mansel Uxbridge Informer 23rd October 1986

When the word went round two weeks ago that British National Party activists were on their way to Uxbridge, a group of protesters gathered to greet them.



As they waited patiently outside Uxbridge - tube station, one of their number could have been forgiven for allowing his mind to take him back to the days of Sir Oswald Mosley's Blackshirts and in particular one Sunday in October 1936.

For East Ender Arthur Groves, now a Hillingdon Labour councillor, was among the masses who prevented Mosley and his men marching through the East End's Jewish quarter in the so-called Battle of Cable Street.

The failure of that march is widely believed to mark the beginning of the decline of the Blackshirt movement.

Arthur, 74, lived at 438 Cable Street with his wife Ethel and remembers the occasion well.

"On that Sunday morning all the Blackshirts were massed up by the Tower of London," he recalled. "They were going to march through where all the Jewish people lived and meet up with another mass and assemble for a meeting in Victoria Park.
"They thought they were going to take over at that stage and they started on the Jews, because they were the weakest people.

"But as soon as the word went round, masses of people started moving into the Aldgate area and around the Tower of London, and soon there were so many that they were pushing the trams back, which were hefty, great things in those days.


'NO MARCH'

"Eventually the chief of police came through and told Mosley ' no march', and that was it, they never started."

Arthur also has chilling memories of the rise of the Blackshirt movement in the East End at the beginning of the 30s.

The movement would recruit boys as young as 11and 12, who would often be out on the streets at night more senior members, aged 19 or 20.

"They weren't concerned with just Jews," said Arthur. "Anyone who was walking around would get attacked.

The Jews were justn excuse." He remembers one particular night when he was coming back from his brother's house at Bow.

"We used to go up there for a game of cards every now and then, and one night as we walked out to get a tram, there was this sudden shout of "Jew boys."
"We could see these yobbos, nine or 10-year-olds,and with them were these two massive blokes.

"I can still picture one of them. He had his hands in the pockets of his sports jacket and when he pulled them out he was wearing knuckle dusters.

"But then one of them said 'It's okay, they're not Jews' and we got away."
Now 50 years on, Arthur is still campaigning against the influences of the extreme right and he spent four or five hours two weeks ago preparing to protest against a threat which that day hardly materialised.

"It's a bit different nowadays," he said, "and Saturday was certainly quieter."


Councillor Arthur Groves Hillingdon Labour Councillor 1986-1990
died July 1994

-----------------------------------------------

Anti Fascism - Uxbridge 1986

A BNP day of action planned for Uxbridge on 11th October 1986 was announced in the local newspapers, but with just three days notice anti fascists mobilised over 250 to meet the challenge, under the traditional ant-fascist slogan of "No pasaran - They Shall not Pass". The Anti Fascist group included a large number of Labour Party Councillors, Labour Party members, trade unionists, Brunel Students, Christians and West London Anti Fascist Action (AFA).


(photo above Mosley floored in Manchester)


With anti-fascists stationed at the Uxbridge underground ticket booths, few fascists chose to leave the platform. Millson himself stated they were met by "an enormous number of red trouble makers"

On the day Millson was soon caught and only because AFA members were not 100% sure if in infact it was Millson was he saved from, as one AFA member described it "a real good reeducation" that option was however advised against by local Quakers present, instead he was told in no uncertain terms to get out of town, which he did via the nearest routemaster bus, but without a bag of fascist literature.

Not for the first time there were those, especially amongst the Conservative party (with a few exception, Cllr Kester for one) who condemned the anti fascist mobilisation.

However, the local papers and people knew that by supplying an overwhelming force in "taking the streets" Hillingdon had once again defeated fascism.

The local paper headline proclaimed " BNP action flopped because of large turnout of anti fascist" If anyone had any doubts about Millsons fascist credentials, they only needed to read his later quotes in The Guardian stating "I would describe myself as a fascist. My main aim at university has been to drum up as much support as possible for racialism ." (Guardian, July 5, 1986 and repeated again on February 5, 1997). Unsurprisingly he subsequently rejoined the Conservative Party.

Uxbridge Labour Party Banner

Uxbridge Labour Party banner dates from the late 1970's. The banner was in Red and Gold (traditional colours) and had emblasoned upon it the slogan Peace, Jobs, Freedom - and the old Clarion slogan "Socialism - the hope of the world".

London Carmen's Trade Union

London Carmens Trade Union was established in 1888 during the famous London dock strike (the union should nott to be confused with the London Cab Drivers Trade Union) , it represented carters in the East End of London who drove horse drawn vehicles for the London docks and warehouses . The union was highly influenced by the syndicalist strand of British trade unionism, promoted best by the union’s own organiser Edward “Ted” Leggatt. The union was prominent force in the August 1911 London strike wave that hit the capital. However it lost half it’s membership during the disastrous Transport strike of 1912. In 1913 the union changed it's name to the National Union of Vehicle Workers with about 4,000 members and later joined the TGWU on Amalgamation on January 1^st 1922.
ed by Samuel “Sam” March, its General Secretary from 1895.

The Uxbridge branch of the London Carmen’s Union was established in November 1910 and meet on Monday nights at the Three Tons Public House, Uxbridge. The Unions leading official Ted Leggatt addressed the meeting as did Will Godfrey” General organiser, visiting branches in attendance at the inaugural meeting were Southall, Brentford, Ealing and Bro C. Tanner of Bermondsey branch.

Ted Leggatt reported on benefits of the union, including presently 34 on the sick list receiving 10 shillings a week

At a later meeting in 1910 Ted Leggatt wished that “he employers could be made to realise how very essential it was that their men should protect themselves,, how much easier it would be for the wives and sick during the time they are away from their work” another speaker was Will Godfrey General Organiser of the union who taught them about “ true fellowship, comradeship and unity, single handed the workers is practically helpless but united effort the unions is powerful and effective.

Will Godfrey stated the union stood for “bettering the working conditions of those who are engaged as wealth producers, better house accommodation, good nourishing food and opportunity for recreation and amusement”

Carmen wishing to join the London Carman’s Union were told to write to Mr J.W. Boakes care of the Three Tuns public House, Uxbridge, Middlesex.

The Southall branch of the House, Southall Carmen’s Union was established in November 1905 and meet at the Waggon and Horses Public

In 1911 the Uxbridge branch of The London Carmens Trade Union held a concert on behalf of the widow and young children of Mr John Whyte of Harefield Road, Uxbridge, one of the first men to join the branch and who had died after a short illness. Raised in excess of seven three shillings and ten pence

Union representatives from Southall, Walthamstow were present as was Ted Leggatt and Acton Councillor Mr Shillitoe the delegate for the West London District branch of the London Carmen’s trade union (who was also active in the West london Independant Labour Party ILP).

Donations were received from Acton, Southall and Hampstead branches of the union

Uxbridge ILP Councillor L.W Spencer of Uxbridge referred to the low wages paid to carters by Uxbridge District Council of twenty two shillings for a 66 hour week. A “scandalous” while Leggatt referred to some Councils paying 30s a week

“the Carmen work long hours, in all weathers, taking their lives in their hands when driving through the congested traffic of London”

NOTE

Edward “Ted” Leggatt was an official of the London Carmen’s Trade Union, he was a committed anarcho-syndicalist and strong anti-parliamentary who traditionally began his speeches with the phrase “I’m Ted Leggatt the Anarchist”. Ben Tillett recorded his role in the strike as that of “rebel agitator par excellence…..a militant with reckless courage….time has hardly mellowed his hatred of class control and government. (Ted Leggatt in the top row in the bowler hat

Samuel March

Samuel “Sam” March (1861-1935) was born in Romford, his father was an agricultural labourer victimised for joining Joseph Arch’s union. Aged nine Sam became a farm labourer, later he worker in a bakery, a milk delievery boy in Holburn and aged 18 became a cabman in Poplar, where he was “he wielded the whip for sixteen years” 1895 became general secretary of the London Carmen's trade Union. He joined the Poplar Labour League and helped in the election of Will Crooks.

Sam March stood unsuccessfully for Poplar Council in 1900, but was later elected to the Council 1903-1927, Sam March was a councillor (and Mayor) during the great Poplar rebellion against the poor law and as such received six weeks in Brixton prison in 1921. He was later elected to thhe London County Council 1919-1925 representing South Poplar. finally becoming Labour Member of Parliament for South Poplar 1922-1931. He was the first Labour Party Justice of the Peace in the East End

In 1922 Sam March was appointed national secretary of commercial road transport section of the new Transport & General Workers Union” Samuel March MP died in 1933

UXBRIDGE URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL 1946 ELECTION

First Labour majority on Uxbridge UDC April 1946

Labour candidates

Hillingdon East
Mrs Webb
J. Reynolds
G.L. Richards
W.C. Kuhlman

F.C. W. Glitz (Communist)(Not Elected) 465 votes
Cyril Bond (Communist) (Not Elected) 437 votes

Hillingdon West
Mrs S.H. Dubberley
P.E. Bates
--------------------------------
W.H. Baker (Not Elected)
H.J. Bailey (Not Elected)
Mrs Bond (Not Elected)
C.J. Gadsden (Not Elected)

Hillingdon Central
F. W. Cater
A.H. Lethbridge
J. Osgood
H.M. Ross
W.G. Willis
Lou Sherman

Uxbridge Central

W. B Hill (Not Elected)
J. Simmonds (Not Elected)


Ickenham
Mrs A.L. Speechley (Not Elected)
G.A. Ward (Not Elected)

Cowley
S.B. Watson
N.J. Young

Harefield
A.W. Draper (Not Elected)
C.Penn (Not Elected)

NOTE

Uxbridge Council Result Labour 14 others 12

Labour Councillor Mrs S.H. Dubberley elected Chairman of Uxbridge Housing Committee (pic October1946) Mrs Dubberley's husband was leader of the National Union of railwaymen locally from the 1920's. Both Mr & Mrs Dubberley were highly rated by Dickie Bond.

Council Chairman Mr L.J. Reynolds


Mr W.G Pomeroy (War time Chairman of the Council) elected top of the poll Hillingdon West

Flight Luitentatnt Frank Beswick was also elcected as Uxbridge first Labour Member of Parliament in 1945 with a 1.084 majority

mr F. W Carter was Uxbridge Divisional Secretary of the Labour Party, Councillor G. Richards Chairman and Mr Robert Goodman Uxbridge Labour Sectretary

Labour majorities recorded at 1946 elections at

Middlesex County Council
Hayes & Harlington UDC
Yiewsley & West Drayton
Uxbridge

also
Labour gains at Ruislip- Northwood UDC (Ind 19 Labour 5) (winning 3 in South Ruislip)
Chairman Ruislip Labour Party Mr C.M. Lewis

At Denham, Buckinghamshire, The Labour Party made its first challenge and four of its seven candidates were elected on to Denham council in 1946

UXBRIDGE URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL 1946

First Labour majority on Uxbridge UDC April 1946

Labour candidates

Hillingdon East
Mrs Webb
J. Reynolds
G.L. Richards
W.C. Kuhlmas

C. W. Glitz (Communist) not elected
C.R. "Dickie" Bond (Communist) not elected

Hillingdon West
Mrs Dubberley
P.E. Bates

W.H. Baker (Not Elected)
H.J. Bailey (Not Elected)
Mrs Bond (Not Elected)
C.J. Gadsden (Not Elected)

Hillingdon Central
F. W. Cater
A.H. Lethbridge
J. Osgood
H.M. Ross
W.G. Willis
Lou Sherman

Uxbridge Central

W. B Hill (Not Elected)

J. Simmonds (Not Elected)

Ickenham
Mrs A.L. Speechley (Not Elected)
G.A. Ward (Not Elected)

Cowley
S.B. Watson
N.J. Young

Harefield
A.W. Draper (Not Elected)
C.Penn (Not Elected)

NOTE

Mr W.G Pomeroy (War time Chairman of the Council) elected top of the poll Hillingdon West
Labour majorities recorded at 1946 elections at

Middlesex Countu Council
Hayes & Harlington UDC
Yiewsley & West Drayton
Uxbridge

also
Gains at Ruislip-Northwood UDC (Ind 19 Labour 5)

At Denham Labour made its first challange and four of its seven candidates were elected

Labours First Chairman

Middlesex County Council (MCC)

County Alderman Bernard Harry Rockman of Ealing was elected by 46 votes to 43 (Mrs Baker) as the first Labour Chairman of Middlesex County Council in 1946

At the April 1st, 1946 Middlesex County Council elections Labour had secured its first majority, securing a majority by five seats

Mr Bernard Harry Rockman is 52, and was educated at Westbourne Park School. He was active in the Labour since the First World War

He served in the Territorial Army from 1911-1916, when he was released from service to assist in Aircraft production.

Member of National Amalgamated Furnishing Trades Association (union)

Secretary of the national and London Joint Industrial Council

Rockman had been first elected to Middlesex County Council in 1934 and had previously been Deputy Leader of the Labour Group. He as also a Justice of the Peace.

During World War 11 he was Chief Warden for Ealing Council Civil Defence Service

NEW MIDDLESEX COUNTY COUNCIL ALDERMAN

Mr F.W. Carter

Lives at Hillingdon and is Secretary of Uxbridge Labour Party

12 years Alderman on Acton Borough Council

Elected to Middlesex County Council for two periods

"being in fact one of the first four Labour councillors elected to that (Middlesex County Council) body"

He moved to Uxbridge circa 1934

He stood as the Labour candidate for Middlesex County Council (Uxbridge West) in 1946 failed but was elected as an Alderman.

Mrs Beatrix A. Beaumont (first women councillor in Yiewsley 15 years previously and appointed JP in 1944) was made also made a Middlesex County Council Alderman as was R.W Gunton of Hayes

NOTE

Tom Parker was a candidate for Uxbridge at the 1946 Middlesex County Council

Reginald Francis Orlando Bridgeman

Born 14th October 1884 eldest son of Colonel the Hon. Francis Bridgeman

His father had been Member of Parliament for Bolton and ended his military career as Brigadier General.

Reginald Bridgeman was educated at Harrow, but left aged 16 to study languages in France and Germany.

In 1903 he was appointed honary attaché to the British Embassy in Madrid, later he was posted to Paris, later as Private Secretary to Sir Francis Bertie in 1912. Brdgeman as a up and comingdiplomat attended and was involved in the Paris Peace Congress. In July 1918 he was appointed as a Civil Service First Secretary (and a member of Association of Upper Division Civil Servants) .

Bridgeman was posted to Vienna, Austria and would later state he was greatly impressed by the Working Class (Socialist) control of the City, the use of the Imperial Palace and Gardens of Schoenbrunn to house the homeless and feed the starving children of the City. This he recalled "opened his eyes to the practicality of socialism"

Khan in 1921. Later that year the Soviet Bridgeman was then posted to Iran in 1920, and it was here he witnessed the Coup of RezaBridgeman took a controversially position in attending attendingEmbassy's commemoration of the October Revolution.

His attendance was labelled “One of the most shocking episodes in modern history” and Bridgeman was recalled to London (visiting India, and studying illiteracy and poverty rates) on the way back by Lord Curzon, where he was finally pensioned off by the Civil Service in July 1923.


Bridgeman moved to Pinner in 1922, and in 1924 Bridgeman was active in the founding of Pinner Labour Party branch of Hendon Labour Party (and Chairman of Hendon Constituency in March 1927)

Bridgeman's politics were confirmed when in 1923 he married Miss Olwen Elizabeth Jones, of Pinner, West London, the daughter of a Chemist and active in Labour movement.


Bridgeman showed his continued support to the Communist Party by organising annual Sunday Worker Garden parties between 1927 to 1932 at Waxwell Lane, Pinner (Where he had built 14 houses at affordable rent). Sunday worker banners would be tied across the street to the alarm of local Tories.

During the General strike of 1926 Bridgeman was involved with the Wealdstone Trades Council and it's strike bulletin (ref 4 editions at Hull University)

In 1926 he was appointed along with A. M. Wall, Secretary of the London Trades Union Council to be joint Secretary of the British Labour Council for Chinese Freedom and had become active in the formation of the Chinese Information Bureau and “Hands of China” campaigns.

In February 1927 Bridgeman attended the Congress of Oppressed Nationalities in Brussels, (organised by Eili Muzenburg) which resulted in the formation of the League Against Imperialism, Bridgeman becoming Honorary Secretary in 1933

It is probably for his work within the League Against Imperialism that Bridgeman is best known

The LAI was a vital part of the anti colonial struggle, producing numerous publications
Cypriot News (Kypriaka Nea)

It is therefore hardly surprising that Bridgeman was heavily involved in the Meerut trial 1929-1933 of trade union leaders in India including Shaukat Usmani

Bridgeman was selected as the popular Labour candidate to fight the Uxbridge constituency at the 1929 general election.

Threw himself into constituency , cycling everywhere, speaking everywhere and even fly posting
Bridgeman recalled that “The people are naturally conservative and opposed to any change, so that progress is more difficult than one might expect”

Bridgeman stood on a platform of
Pay rises,
Shorter Working hours,
2 weeks holiday paid,
Raise school leaving to 16,
Pensions,
Abolition of overseas bases,
Outlaw war,
Self determination for colonies,
Full diplomatic relations with Soviet Union,
Abolition House of Lords

Bridgeman was also a member of the Pinner General & Municipal Workers Union branch and Southall Labour Club


At the 1929 general election Labour's vote in Uxbridge rose from 8,459 to 16,422 and the Tory vote slashed to a 1,348 majority

In the election of 1929 Bridgeman had been helped by the local Southall Communist Party (ref Hull University records)

When LAI was made a prescribed organisation by the Labour party, because of its links with the Communist party Bridgeman had no choice but to stand as a "Workers Candidate" for Uxbridge
a Southall section of the League against imperialism was established to support Bridgeman.
“Your vote is one weapon, class might be another
Polled 2,358

Bridgeman was readmitted to the Labour party in 1937 and selected as candidate for Hendon but resigned and was later expelled from the Labour Party for supporting the Communist Party backed "People's Convention" in 1941

During the war he was involved with the establishment of a Yiewsley Communist Party branch. Tragically his eldest son was killed in serve during WW2

Between 1949 and 1951 he was national treasurer of the National Council for Civil Liberties NCCL


While Bridgeman was never a card carrying member of the Communist party he was certainly a "fellow traveller" and was very close to harry Pollitt. Bridgeman himself stated

“Communist influence is gaining ground throughout the world, Social Democracy represented by the ILP, LP, TUC in close co-operation with Federation of British Industries is a waining force, while the masses everywhere are revolting against capitalism”

Died 11th December 1968

Amalgamated Society of Carpenters & Joiners 1914

A new agreement has been reached between the Uxbridge Master Builders Association and the Uxbridge branch of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters & Joiners

The new agreements covers carpenters employed within a 4 mile radius of Uxbridge Market House

From January 1914 the carpenters rate will be 10d per hour, an increase of half a penny.



NOTE:

The Uxbridge branch (which included Hayes) was established around (1880 or 1883) and is therefore one of the oldest unions in the area
The Union in 1888 was meeting at the Grapes Public House, Hayes

The Southall branch of the Bricklayes Union dates from at least 1888 and was also meeting at the Grapes Public House, Hayes

Councillor Horace Lucia involved in the establishment of the union at Southall


The Southall branch of the Operative Plasters Union was established in Southall in 1905

Dickie Bond

Cecil Bond, Cyril Bond, Dick Bond or more commonly know as Dickie Bond, was a leading member of the Communist Party in Uxbridge, his union the Electricians Union and later Pensioners Federation.

Born in Cowley, Uxbridge on Good Friday, 13th April 1900 he lived in a small cottage in Clements(?), in Cowley.

His father who could not read or write was a farm labourer toiling long hours in the fields for low pay for a farmer called Richardson.

His mother worked in the kitchens of Cowley House for Countess of Essex and Dickie recalled sitting at the back step of the House do living off left overs his mother could spirit away “When I came home from school I used to wait and see if she had brought any scraps from the kitchen….that was how it was, that's why I am a socialist"

He attended the Hillingdon Road School and greatly enjoyed it, Aged 12 his family moved a few miles down the road to Uxbridge.

In his early years Dickie attended Friends Meeting House and it was here he meet sympathetic educated people Dickie considered the Quakers a "very intelligent people" and his socialism grew from that.

In his Youth Dickie was a very keen sportsman, particularly cycling and he was proud to represent the British Workers Sports Federation in Moscow Workers Olympics in 1929 and again at the Paris Workers Olympics in 1930 The Federation had been established in 1923 under the auspices of Clarion Cycling Club, Labour Party sympathisers and trade union officials. Its goal was international unity and peace through sport.

Dickie recalled that during the general strike of 1926 how he use to act as a cycling courier between Uxbridge Strike Committee headquarters at the Uxbridge Labour Hall in Villiers Street and the TUC strike committee headquarters at Southall Labour Hall (where a young Sid Bidwell, later MP was also active) and Labour hall at committee. Dickie stated that Southall was always the strongest area trade union wise because of the commitment of the Railwaymen.

He recalled that the Uxbridge strike committee was lead by a “fine man” called Tom Dubberley the local leader of the railwaymen (NUR) .

Politically, Dickie Bond had originally joined the Uxbridge Independent Labour Party (ILP)an ILP who he recalled had about 20-30 members. The Uxbridge ILP held open air meetings at the traditional Saturday night meeting and speaking spot by the pump at the back of St Margaret’s church, Uxbridge and he recalled speakers such as Fenner Brockway entertaining the crowd.

Dickie recalled that a policeman would often be present at these open air meetings to take the names of speakers, and when he was asked for his name on one occasion he replied “That book must be full of my name”.

Their was also a small branch of the Social Democratic Federation in Uxbridge run by Albert Notley (Life Assurance salesman) and a Mr Barr a watch repairer).

Unemployed, Dickie became active in the National Unemployed Workers Movement and became Secretary of the Uxbridge branch and was involved in a Hunger march from Southall Labour Hall to Hyde Park with banners stating "Work or Full maintaince". the march started with 30 or 40 mostly from Hayes and Southall but picked up groups of unemployed along the way... "we shouted to passers by join the march..join the march and some did".

Dickie was also involved in the Uxbridge League Against Imperialism (LAI) (Reginald Bridgeman head of the national LAI was the local Labour candidate).

In 1929 Dickie joined the Communist Party in 1929 (after his visit to Moscow to participate in the Workers Olympics of 1929), Dickie spent the subsequent years until his death selling the Daily Worker and later the Morning Star regularly outside Uxbridge Underground station, “The Star is my bible”.

During the Thirties, Dickie found it hard to secure long term employment as an electrician because of his political views he was regularly victimised and blacklisted " when ever they got to find out who I was I was sacked, It was the same where ever I went".

He was awarded the TUC Tolpuddle medal for recruitment in 1934 (a medal which he continued to ware until his jacket lapel until his death).

Dickie was one of many who mobilised to defend the East End against Mosleys fascists at Cable street on October 4^th 1936,. Dickie mobilised many of his union members to attend Cable Street.

However Dickie himself found himself and 20 tor 30 other anti fascists corned by a large Police presence, eventually the Police charged them with their batons forcing them deliberately into a large underground lavatory where they were locked in by the policemen.

During the Spanish Civil War Dickie helped with collections but like a number in the AEU and ETU members to recondition and construct motor cycles (many of them motor cycle ambulances) at Hayes Labour hall at Pump Lane lead by Sidney “Sid” Bennett (Fairey Aviation Engineering apprentice), and other like John Mansfield (also a Faiey Aviation apprentice).

Dickie recalled the witch hunt of Communists in 1941 lead by Labour Minister Herbert Morrison at the outbreak of the Second World War.

“I was working on Government work as an electrician, in the Liverpool dock yards (Cammell Lairds), one of the organisers of my union, Frank Foulkes a member of the Communist Party member, he was the local organiser, he came to me one day and said look Dick, I have been given instructions by the Police, that with your history, if your not out of Liverpool in 24 hours, your going to be arrested under (Regulation) 18b, for my political outlook"

"He said the only thing I can do now is take you to a certain place outside Liverpool (a little cottage that acted as a safe house), where they had all the food and everything for me, if your going to have a drink (he gave me money), If you go and have a drink tell them your one of the evacuee from London

"I was down there Down there about two or three weeks, I could not send a letter to my wife,or send her money, He had to do that"

After some weeks , he came down in his car, you’ve got to do some work….Russia had come into war (22^nd June 1941) and the whole political complexion changed, so I went back to work as electrician ....I would have been arrested, if it was not for Frank Foulkes.... he saved me a lot of trouble".

Unsurprisingly, Dickie never ever went back to Liverpool.

One other war time recollection was working "up North" with a young electricians apprentice and young Communist league member called Frank Chapple later the ultra right wing General Secretary of the Electricians Union.

Just after the end of the war, Dickie did secure permanent work (20 years) as an Electrician for the London County Council based at County hall but looking after local schools and health establishments, he became Chairman of the former London County Council Shop Steward Committee (and remained at Electricians Trade Union member for fifty five years).

After the war he worked with fellow Uxbridge Communist Fred Glitz and left wing L:abour councillors to address the shortages of housing and in 1946 helped squatters (many bombed out or newly returned soilders) to occupy Coaxden Hall, Providence Road Nursery.

Dickie also stood for the Uxbridge Town council as a Communist along with Glitz.

He served on the Electricians Trade Union (ETU) National Executive Committee and was on the London District Committee, President of North West Region and Chairman of Acton, Hayes and Uxbridge ETU branches

In the 1940's Dickie became involved with Hayes Trades Council for fifteen years ibefore its amalgamation to form Hillingdon Trades Union Council

He was a member of the London Co-operative Society (LCS) for 22 years, and was Chairman of District 28 of the LCS he was elected to the London Society’s West Area Education Committee.

After the War Uxbridge elected Labour MP Frank Beswick as its MP who was according to Dickie a good local Labour MP.

Active in the co-operative youth movement the Woodcraft folk at Providence road school, in the 60's-70s. Dickie Bond recalled that their were quite a lot of progressive people involved in co-operative movement locally including Mrs Dubblerley (later Mayor of Uxbridge).

In later years Dickie was active in the Uxbridge & District branch of the National Association of Old Age Pensioners.

Among his not so well known interests were poetry and folk music, particularly Peggy Seger and Ewan McColl his favourite song being “Where have all the flowers gone?”. Dickie was inspired to write a Ballard which he was to hear Peggy Seger sing. It was the Ballard of the Migrant Labourer

“A building is more than concrete,
It’s also part of them,
Who build but seldom inhabit,
Its also part of men.
Part of the sinew and muscle, the skill of their hands and brain.
Part of their hope in the morning, gone with the evening again.

His wife Nancy, was alsoa keen Socialist, Women’s co-operator and Labour party member. She was a founder member of Uxbridge Labour party, and on occasions a Labour Council candidate at which she was not only attacked by local Tories as a "Communist" but some inside the Party who tried to have her expelled for criticising Labour Party policy. Nancy died in 1969,

During the Miners strike of 1984-1985 he was charged with two counts of making a street collection without permission of the commissioner and with using a megaphone to obtain money (Hillingdon Miners Support Group raised over £ 6,000 from street collections with another £6,000 from local union branches (total of about £50,000 today)during the strike). Dickie appeared in court for the first time two days before his 85th birthday. He participated along with many from Hillingdon the Kent NUM the Ramsgate solidarity march for the Miners with Kent NUM friends who had picketed West Drayton Coal depot during the dispute (from the offices of the Trade Union Support Unit based in West Drayton)

After the strike he stated “The strike may be over but the struggle goes on for all of us the class struggle goes on all the bloody time"

Dickie was from my recollection a small man, well dressed man, always wore a suit and and trilby hat, and had even in his later years a strong powerful voice

Michael Walker

Interview and Morning Star article 1985