Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day 2008

Bomber Command Memorial

We need to acknowledge the past. The proposed memorial for the 55,000 men of Bomber Command who died is needed because, unless we are informed by the past, we will not be able to make a better future for all mankind.

Many men and women from overseas lands came to aid Britain against the fascists and many chose to join the RAF. We should be proud of the thousands of Australian, New Zealanaders, Canadians, Polish, Czech, Irish, Indian, Zimbabwean, South African, Tanzanian, and Malawians who joined the RAF.

In RAF Bomber Command alone, 6,000 ground crew and 400 air crew were from the Caribbean, of which over 100 were decorated.

RAF tail gunner (photo).

IRISH SPITFIRE ACE

Brendan "Paddy" Éamon FitzPatrick Finucane. born Dublin 16th October 1920. His family moved to Richmond, Surrey. Paddy joined the RAF in later 1938. In January 1942 Finucane was given command of 602 Squadron (Hornchurch), aged just 21, he was the youngest ever Wing Commander. RAF Spitfire Ace. His Spitfire was painted with a shamrock.

Finucane shot down numeous German planes during the Battle of Britain, 32 in his career, however he was finally shot down off the French coast on 15th July 1942 and killed, after an attack upon German shipping in Ostend. Model airplanes of his spitfire with vivid green shamrocks sold in Piccadilly Circus and the Strand in London.

NOTE:

500 British Honduran (Belize) women were employed cutting wood in the Scottish forests

Dr Arundel Moody son of Harold Moody founder of the League of Coloured Peoples 1931 became the first black commissioned officer when he became a lieutenant in the Royal West Kent.

Noor Inayat Khan, British "SOE" Secret Agent operated in Paris 1943, betrayed and shot at Dachau.

Manouchian Group

On the afternoon of February 21, 1944, 23 members of a Communist Resistance movement, the Francs Tireurs et Partisans - Main - d'oeuvre immigrée (FTP-MOI), were executed at Mont Valerian. The one-day trial of these men and women, who were to become known as the Manouchian Group (after the leader of the Parisian section of the organization, the Armenian activist and poet Missak Manouchian),

It is in recognition of this that every year a gathering is held in their memory at the burial place of most of their members, the Parisian Cemetery of Ivry. And on their graves figure the words: “Mort pout la France.” Died for France.

(poster known as the Red poster was printed by the Vichy collaborationists)

The members of the group were:

Celestino Alfonso — Spaniard
Olga Bancic — Roumanian
Joseph Boczov — Romanian
Georges Cloarec — French
Rina Dell Negra — Italian
Thomas Elek — Hungarian
Maurice Fingerczwajg — Polish
Spartaco Fontano — Italian
Imre Glaz — Hungarian
Joans Geduldig — Polish
Leon Goldberg — Polish
Szlama Grzywacz — Polish
Stanislas Kubacki — Polish
Arpen Tavitian — Armenian
Cesare Luccarini — Italian
Missak Manouchian — Armenian
Marcel Rayman — Polish
Roger Rouxel — French
Antonio Salvadori — Italian
Willy Szapiro — Polish
Amadeo Usseglio — Italian
Wolf Wajsbrot — Polish
Robert Wichitz — French

Uxbridge ILP Leader Killed

Leanold W Spencer Uxbridge Independent Labour Party Secretary (Belmont Road, Uxbridge) was also killed, 1st September 1915.

Shot in the head aged just 26. He had been a founder member of Uxbridge Labour Party, first Labour Councillor in Uxbridge and was the first man to motor cycle up Snowdon, Wales.

L.W Spencer, Regiment took major loses and he underwent terrible ordeal suffer from hunger, thirst, sleepless nights and 7 months on constant bombardment, he slept with his motorcycle by his side doing his Christian socialist duty.

He was in the 13th Kensington Battalion, Cyclist Orderly he is buried at Longuenesse St Omer.

GERMAN PRISONER KILLED

Private Carl Siebenhuhner, German Prisoner Drowned at Denham, Buckinghamshire. (a village just outside West London)

While bathing in the river Colne at the prisoner of War camp, Denham Lodge, on Saturday 9 August 1919, a German prisoner named Siebenhuhner got out of his depth.

He was unable to swim, and seeing that he was in difficulties, his comrades immediately went to his assistance, but without success and the body disappeared. Dragging operations were at once instituted, and the body was recovered from the water in less than a hour,

At the inquest held at the Lodge on Tuesday evening, by Mr A. E. Charsley coroner for South Buckinghamshire a verdict of accidental death was returned.

The deceased, who was twenty seven years of age was a single man, and had been a prisoner of war since 1916. the accident was particularly unfortunate as he was expecting to return to his home in Germany shortly.

The funeral of private Carl Siebenhuhner took place at Denham on Wednesday,

The coffin covered with a flag, and surmounted with a couple of wreaths of holly and evergreens from his comrades, was placed on one of the motor lorries, and the cortege moved off from the camp at Denham Lodge with a firing party of the Royal Fusiliers leading and the whole of the Prisoners of War numbering about forty, following behind the coffin.

In addition to the two wreaths on the coffin, one of the German prisoners carried a beautiful wreath of white carnations subscribed for by all his comrades.

The first portion of the burial service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev G.C Battiscombe, was taken in the church and afterwards six of his comrades, specially chosen because of their near residence to him in Germany bore the coffin to the grave. Here the rector concluded the burial service, three volleys were fired by soilders from the Royal Fusilers and the last post sounded.

The coffin bore the inscription Siebenhuhner, Carl 133^rd Infantry Regiment, died August 9^th 1919, aged 27, One of the wreaths was from his friend Erde.

In the 1960's the German War Graves Commission established a permanent site in a pine forest at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire.

Carl Siebenhuhner was reinterred 24th November 1962


Karl Siebenhuhner - German Prisoner of War, World War One.



CEYLON

Kamal Chunchie, born Kandy, Sri Lanka 1886. A policeman from Ceylon joined the Middlesex Regiment in WW1 and was wounded twice. After the war on 9th February 1926 he opened the Coloured Men's Institute in Canning Town, probably the first community organization of its kind.
Died 1953

Socialist republic of South Yorkshire

Socialist Republic
of
South Yorkshire

Uxbridge Parliamentary Constituency

Uxbridge
Parliamentary Constituency
1885-1918





1885 F.D. Dixon-Hartland Con 5,093 66.1%
J.P. Rickman Lib 2,615 33.9%

1886 F.D Dixon-Hartland Con Unopposed

1892 F.D Dixon-Hartland Con 5,172 71.8%
L.C.Probyn Lib 2,029 28.2%

1895 F.D Dixon-Hartland Con Unopposed

1900 F.D Dixon-Hartland Con Unopposed

1906 F.D. Dixon-Hartland Con 6,429 50.6%
Sidney J Pocock Lib 6,284 49.4%

1910 C.T. Mills Con 10,116 65.2%
Sidney J Pockock Lib 5,408 34.8%

1910 C.T. Mills Con 9,005 65.8%

M.C. Mallick Lib 4,286 32.2%


1915* A.R Mills Unopposed

*C.T. Mills Member of Parliament killed WW1 -1915


1918 S.Peel Con 9,814 59.1
Harry Gosling Labour 6,251 37.6%
N.M.Snowball Lib 545 3.3%


NOTES



Sidney Job Pocock
Liberal Candidate 1906 and 1910


Born 13 September 1854 Died 1931
at Broome Manor, Swindon, Wiltshire
Eighth son of Abraham and LydiaPocock
Tenant farmer from West Of England
Moved to London 1875 "Without a shilling"

Set up business with Mr F.H.Freeth wholesale milk contractor dairy farmer, which prospered into a major company and became chairman of Freeth & Pocock Ltd. later Director of Dairy Outfit Company Limited.

1894 elected Governor Metropolitan Dairyman's Benevolent Institution

Pocock had written widely on agriculture

1892 married Annie Cozens of Brockley (died 1900 during child birth) later married Kate Ethel

Visited Canada three time

Pocock was a non-conformist preacher and regular speaker at Brotherhood (Religious) meetings

Lived at Charlton Court near Shepperton (from last year)1904 and later at Surbiton Hall, Kingston

In 1912 he was knighted

He lost two sons killed in World War I (Sidney Norman Pocock- Corporal in Royal engineers killed February 1915 and Beric Edmund Pocock Lieutenant - London Rifle Brigade May 1916)


At an Liberal meeting on March 19th 1904 at Salem Baptist Church school room.

Christopher Roundell (?) stated they were fighting against money and power and besides the ordinary opposition there were those underground influences which were always in operation when they could not fix, the influence exerted by the Tory squire and Tory Parson.


In 1905 Women’s Association of Liberals in Uxbridge had four branches (Teddington being the largest)

"Liberalism had been dead and dormant in the division for 20 years" and it was 12 years since they last fought

Pocock was described as "an extremely popular candidate with a bluff and hearty manner winning the admiration of friends and opponents alike"

1906 Election Sidney Pocock proposers were:-

John James Richards and Egerton Henry Tucker proposor, seconded by Issac Ellis, George Lowe, James Smith, Albert Edward Viveash, Walter Ayres, Thomas Smith, Henry Palmer, George Spink

George Moses, Blyth Road, Botwell, Hayes (Grocer) and George Lowe Angel Lane, Hayes (Florist)1904 Uxbridge Division Liberal Association
Mr H. W. Willberforce
Maurice Gregory
J. Lane
W.L. Pewsey
Howard Hutchings
L Hutchings
T. Easton
W. Randall
Christopher Roundell PPC
J. Leno Treasurer
Noble
T. Westacott
Oliver
Rev Riches-Lowe
Roberts
Robbins
Schaltz


Vice Presidents

Rev Riches Lowe
Rev F.E. Cossey
A. Shultz
T. Wild
C. C. Robbins
W. J. Hutchings
A. Foyer
J. Mc Callum
T. Easton
J. Stanger


COMMITTEEE
Noble
Westcott
Oliver
Near
W.M. Knight
L. Hutchings
J. Smith
Randall
G. Procter
T.G. Easton
Williamson
Franklin
Norton
J.H. Tarr
Westcott
E. Proctoter
M. Gregory
Routliff
A. Swift
G. Lacey
Wilson

Liberal newspaper "Uxbridge Review"

In 1911 Sidney Job Pocock fought Devizes (Wiltshire) in his native South West England for the Liberals.


NOTE


Dixon-Hartland was with Winston Churchill founder the Primrose League (Conservative children's association)

1966 General Election - West London

Labour Parliamentary Candidates 1966 General Election

(West London and Area)





Barnes, Michael Cecil John - Brentfod & Chiswick
Beaumont, Christopher Hubert - Harrow West
Bidwell, Sydney James - Southall
Carlton, David - Twickenham -
Chapman, Stanley John - South West Herts
Childerhouse, Kenneth William - Wembley North
Corbett, Robin - Hemel Hempstead
Elliot, Gerald Frank - Wembley South
Field, Frank - South Bucks
Floud, Bernard Francis Castle - Acton
Freeson, Reginald - Willesden East
Howie, William - Luton
Judge, Anthony - Harrow Central
Kerr, Russell Whiston -Feltham
Kyle, Keith - St Albans
Lester, Joan - Slough
MacFarquhar, Roderick - Ealing South
Maxwell, Ian Robert - Buckingham
Molloy William John North Ealing
Prendergast, Michael Kevin - South Herts
Roebuck, Roy Delville - Harrow East
Rogers, George Henry Roland - North Kensington
Rosehead, Johnathan Vivan - South Kensington
Ryan, John - Uxbridge
Skeffington, Arthur Massey -Hayes & Harlington
Smith, Peter Leonard Niall -Ruislip Northwood
Stewart, Michael - Fulham
Tomney, Frank - Hammersmith North
Tyler, Roderick Newbold - Chelsea
Williams, Shiley Vivien Brittain - Hitchin
Tuck, Raphael Herman - Watford

What Colour is Labour - Red ?

What Colour is Labour ?

The Greater London Labour Party in 1966, carried out a survey of Constituency Labour Parties to see what colours they were presently using during elections to promote the Labour candidates.

Replies received were 56 out of a possible 104

Present Colours Red & Yellow 36
Red & White 8
Red 6
Red & Gold 3
Black & Orange 2


Replies concerning future planned uniform colour

Red & Yellow 34
Red & White 10
red 6 Red & Gold 3
Black & Orange 1

Willing to accept uniform Labour party colour

For 51
Against 4
Doubtful 1

L.G Sims Secretary Greater London Co-ordinating Committee
Transport House, Smith Square, London SW1
Chairman R. J. Mellish MP

NOTE:
Hayes Labour Party would seem to have used Red & White for many years

Nationally the Labour Party dabbled with purple at the 1997 general election

The colour Red as a "Socialist" colour probably dates back to time of the Paris Commune of 1871 (however a Red flag was raised at the Merthyr rising of 1831)

Green was the colour ?

The traditional colour of the Left in England had been Green as used by the Levellers during the English Civil War and Commonwealth 1649 to 1660 (Green twigs being placed in their hat bands - sea green blades) and the Chartists also wore Green.

The Chartist used a red, white and green flag at one stage (picture) However, the Chartists also liked to carry the French tricolour to scare the aristocracy in particular. A tactic also used by Swing rioters, who hoisted a tricolour at Newington, Kent.

It was reported that this Chartist/republican flag (picture) was flown again at the Jubilee of King George V in 1935

Bill Jordan - New Zealnad

William "Bill" Jordan - New Zealand Labour Party

Born: Ramsgate, Kent
Founder of the New Zealand Labour Party

Bill Jordan was born at Ramsgate, Kent on 19th May 1879. His father was William Jordan Jordan a sea captain as was his grandfather, Jordan's mother was Elizabeth Ann Catt.

His father had been a member of the local Lifeboat crew who earned fame for exploits on the notorious Goodwin Sands.

The decline of the local fishing industry forced the Jordan family to move to London, where he attended St Luke's Parochial School (Old Street). His school career was satisfactory but brief, and having passed through the 7th Standard at the age of twelve, he left and was apprenticed to coach painting from which he resigned due to the exposure to lead poisoning.

Bill Jordan the entered the postal service in 1896 and reached a "responsible position" at the postal headquarters at Mount Pleasant, London's main post sorting centre.

It was while at Mount Pleasant that Jordan joined the progressive organisation the Fawcett Association, which had close links with the post office trade unions.

Jordan then joined the Metropolitan Police and was trained at Scotland Yard, before being stationed at Limehouse in the East End of London and later Forest Gate.

He emigrated to New Zealand in 1904 and undertook labouring, bush-farming, painting before opening a business as a trader in Waihi, moving on to Ngaruawahia.

Bill Jordan became first secretary of Wellington branch of Labour Party, becoming the first Secretary of the original Labour Party in 1907. The Labour Party was formally established on 7 July 1916 in Wellington (Jordan became National President in 1932)

In February 1917, at the age of 37, he enlisted in the army. He had been married 17 days earlier, on 30 January, at Ngaruawahia, to Winifred Amy Bycroft, a draper's assistant. He joined the New Zealand Forces serving as a Sergent and saw active service in March 1918 being seriously wounded just two weeks later and was transferred to the Educational Staff of the New Zealand Extraordinary Force.

He returned to New Zealand in 1919 and stood unsuccessful for Labour at Raglan at the 1919 General election.

His election to the New Zealand parliament was the surprise of the at the 1922 election, defeating long term incumbent Sir Fredeick Lang for Manukau. Jordan remaining a Labour Member of Parliament until 1936, when he became New Zealand High Commissioner in London in September 1936.

He remained in London during World War Two and won great respect from New Zealand servicemen and women stationed in Britain during the War, for his tireless championing of their concerns.


William Joseph died Auckland, New Zealand on 8th April 1959


He left an estate valued at £28,040 and directed that the "Jordan Fruit Panel Bowl" originally presented to him by the London Fruit Panel, should be a trophy for cricket matches between England and New Zealand teams, on the lines of the England v Australia " Ashes"

Madge Davison - Civil Rights

Madge Davison - NICRA
1950-1991

Madge Davison was born 13th June 1950 and raised in the strong Protestant working class community in the Shore Road area of North Belfast, where her family lived in Pittsburg Street. Madge remained proud of her Presbyterian background and their role in the "United irishmen".

She left school at the age of seventeen and started work as a secretary in the Falls Flax Spinning Mill on the Falls Road and soon joined the Communist Youth League.


In 1970 she took place in the breaking of the Falls curfew, when several hundred women marched in protest at being held within the area by the British Army.By the 1970's she had started working as full time organiser for the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA).


Many of her comrades in the Communist Party of Ireland who struggled to bridge the religious divide and build working class solidarity. People like Betty Sinclair President of Belfast Trades Union Council (see posting) Barry and Terry Bruton, Jimmy and Edwina Stewart, Joe Deighan, Andy Barr, Lynda Walker, Margaret Bruton, Noel Harris, Joe Bowers and many more....

Madge took part in the civil rights demonstration on Bloody Sunday in Derry, 1972 (she can be seen in television film, standing on the running-board of the lorry). Along with others she helped to organise the protest march in Newry the following week, and subsequently she organised the placing of a memorial in Derry to those who were killed.


Leader of the Connolly Youth Movement, she led the 11 4 Irish delegates at the 10th World Festival of Youth in Berlin in August 1973

She lead the tributes to Irish Communist and International Brigade leader Frank Ryan in Dresden

When her work with the NICRA finished she began to study law. She obtained a first-class honours degree from Queen’s University and became a barrister. She was respected in the profession for her ability to combine hard work with a down-to-earth approach to the law; her legal colleagues agree that she stood out as an exceptional barrister and gave much of herself to her work, standing out as a gifted advocate for human rights.

In January 1991 Madge was tragically diagnosed with cancer. She died on 27 January 1991, at the early age of forty-one, leaving behind her husband and comrade John Hobbs and two beloved young children.

Madge Davison was an outstanding communist, outstanding orator, and excellent organiser. During her short life she took part in many struggles and activities. She taught typing in Twinbrook, taught law in the Falls Women’s Centre, was an active member of the Irish Anti-Apartheid Movement, an adviser to the Rape Crisis Centre (Belfast), and a member of the Northern Ireland Women’s Rights Movement.

source: Communist Party of Ireland

Guildford LPYS

Guildford Labour Party Young Socialists 1981

Davy Alfert - Chairman
Steve Chapman - Vice Chairman
Michael Walker - Secretary



Jane Hutchinson
Jane Wilson
Liz Gibbs
Malcom Corbett
Barny Russell
Dave Eley
Rebecca Matthews
Jesica Matthews
Simon Tester
Julie Souaghy
Suzanne Otto
Richard Rogers
Carol Moffatt

Guildford LPYS was one of the few branches not to have either a member of Militant or be controlled by Militant. This at a time of their total domination of LPYS, a fact we were very proud to continue.

Work included fighting cuts in universities, health care, Guildford & Godalming Save our Services (SOS), anti racist work, CND, anti SDP work, supporting the developments of Co-operatives, working in election, Supporting the LPYS march for jobs organised by Dave Nellist (Later MP) visit to see "Cant pay wont pay" play Theatre production in London and famously flying the Red flag on Guildford Castle and red ramble and picnic on the day of the Charles and Diana Royal Wedding.


George "Bill" Bellerby

Bill Bellerby now the "elder statesman" of Guildford was born in South Wales in March 1917 educated at Penarth Grammar School and the University of South Wales, He was a school teacher, During the Second World War he served in the Queens Royal (West Surrey) Regiment 1940-1946. He came to live in Guildford in 1948.

Bill became President of Guildford Labour Party and a councillor on Guildford Borough Councillor. Stood as Parliamentary candidate for Guildford in 1955 and 1959. Elected Surrey County Councillor for Guildford, and famously in the early 1980's with his wife Doreen who also represented a Guildford ward (1981 or 1985 ?) Labour holding all three seats.

When Mayor of Guildford set up a well respected holiday play scheme, Unemployed Workers Centre also heavily involved in Education and arts issues in Guildford (Bellerby Theatre circa 1980s).

Bill Bellerby is still fighting to save local services such as the shuttle bus aged 91.

NOTE


The Red flag hoisted on Guildford castle was actually a Vietnamese flag, and was the property of the LPYS but fearing retribution from the Party was hoisted in the name of the right to work campaign after a local SWP stuff the wedding party and LPYS stuff the wedding picnic by St Catheines by the river.

Glass Workers strike 1924

Glass Workers Strike May 1924

National Glass Workers Protection Association

The strike at the United Kingdom Glass Company Works at Dawley

"The factory has been closed several months because the management endeavoured to reduce the wages of the workpeople below the recognised standard trade union rate. This the work people refused to accept and blacklegs have been introduced from Alloa in Scotland.

Local Labour activist Robert William Gunton, High Road Hayes letter 23 May 1924 Advertiser and Gazette supporting the men on strike at the Glass works,

A conference of the National Federation of Glass Workers was held at the Brotherhood Hall in Hayes during this period and Glass workers union delegates from all parts of the country, including Scotland attended.

Opening session was Councillor Robert Leach and Mr Ernest Kirby Harding

Councillor Leach the Vice Chairman of Hayes Urban District Council pledged

"the wholehearted support of the local Labour Party who have endeavoured to do all they could to help the men in what they looked upon as a very legitimate grievance" (15% pay cut)

Mr G. Chadwick the President of the Glass Workers Union stated that they should......

"Pride themselves on the discipline the members have shown" however he could not guarantee this would last if blacklegs were introduced

Mr G. Lister stated "he had been trying to settle the dispute legitimately and in a proper manner"

"They had gone so far as to accept arbitration and a reduction in wages prior to arbitration"


On Sunday 18th May 1924 a march of over one hundred Glass workers and their supporters marched through Hayes in support of the Glass workers Union strike. The procession assembled at Botwell with two banners of the Glass Workers Union and the Southall branch of National Union of Railwaymen banner and marched down Central Avenue and Longmead Road to Hayes end.

Addresses were made at a number of points and collections for the strikers taken.

Hayes Women's Section Mayday celebration that year included a speech by Mr Thompson General Organiser of the Glass Workers Union (also in attendance Mrs Gardner (Southall) and Mrs Dubberley (Uxbridge).

The National Glass Workers Protection Association established in 1920 was originally formed as the Yorkshire Glass Bottle Makers United Trade Protection Society in 1827.

The National Glass Workers Protection Association joined the Transport & General Workers Union (TGWU) in 1940.

Labour Party Youth Section - Brief History

LABOUR PARTY YOUTH SECTION


The Labour Party finally agreed to allow the formation of local Labour party Youth Sections in 1924.

(The Independent Labour Party (ILP) had a separate Guild of Youth).

The Labour Parties decision to form youth sections was only taken out of the Parties concern at the rapid growth of the Communist Parties, Young Communist League (YCL) which had been established in October 1921 (The first YCL branches being in Manchester, Liverpool, Barrow, Sheffield, Leith, Porth and a number of other industrial centres).

In 1926 The Labour Party had over 150 Labour League of Youth sections, catering for socialist youth 14-21.


In 1933 the Labour League of Youth had 15,000 members.

The "Advance" Group established in 1935 led by Ted Willis of Tottenham South under the slogan "Self government for the Labour Youth Movement" soon won huge support within the Labour Parties youth section.

At the Easter 1936 Labour League of Youth Conference the "Advance Group" won control of the National Advisory Committee (NAC). The "Advance" journal with an initial duplicated run of 500, when it was printed in June 1936 was now to become the organ for all Labour League work.


Advance not only promoted a national programme based on "Working Class Unity" but also merger with the Young Communist League.

Most London branches of the Labour League of Youth were controlled by the "Advance" group.

In 1938 Ted Willis became National Organiser of the Labour League of Youth and Advance the national paper of the Labour League of Youth.





The Young Communist Leagues paper had been initially called the Young Communist but in March 1935 the YCL printed the first copy of it's famous "Challenge"

In June 1939 large numbers of Labour League of Youth branches and whole branches followed Ted Willis out of the Labour Party into the Young Communist League.

It should be noted that by 1938 over 250 Young Communist League members were heroically fighting and dying in the ranks of the International Brigade in Spain against fascism that would soon engulf Europe.

 

The Labour League of Youth was finally wound up in 1955. In 1960 the Young Socialists was established and this organisation was renamed the Labour Party Young Socialists in 1965, finally becoming Young Labour in 1993.

Hayes Labour youth section can trace its roots back to the Hayes Young Labour League who organised a concert in January 1925 at the Brotherhood Hall, Hayes Young Labour League also organised a Cycling Club and its first cycling run in May 1925 was from Regents Cinema, Hayes to Ruislip.

Southall Labour League of Youth was particularly active and had Syd Bidwell as a prominent member.


Paul Harmsworth leading light of the Labour Party Young Socialists
Guildford LPYS in the 1970's.

Bob Allen was Full time organiser for the Young Communist League in the 1970's and lived in Uxbridge.

William Hannan MP for Maryhill, Glasgow, born 30th August 1906. Joined the Labour Party in 1922 and claimed to be the first Chairman of a Scottish Young Labour League of Youth branch in Scotland

Women in WW2 (ATS)

WOMEN IN WORLD WAR II

This is a unusual picture of a British women at the front line and with a gun during the Second World War. Kay Elms of London a member of a heavy Ack-Ack battery (ATS) based in Belgium early 1945.

While pictures like this are common place from the Soviet Union I have rarely seen British or American pictures of front line women.





Once again we should honour the memory of the thousands of women in ATS (Auxiliary Territorial Service) during World War 2 who night after night protected our cities and military forces from the Nazi threat.


Source: Challenge - the Journal of the Young Communist League, February 1945.

General Strike - Fulwell Tram Depot, Hounslow 1926

"Lively scenes at Fulwell Tram Depot were witnessed at the Fulwell tram depot between 7 and 8 o' clock on Thursday (May 6th 1926) evening, when a crowd of about one thousand people gathered, and some of the volunteer drivers, who were sent down by the Ministry of Transport, and who took trams out, were pelted with eggs.



A number of women were among the crowd and some of these were amongst the noisiest. On the whole, however the temper of the crowd was fairly good humoured, and no serious disturbances occurred, but it is understood, that one arrest on a minor charge was made."

Surrey Comet Saturday May 8 - Strike edition one page

Tram's overturned at Southall according to Syd Bidwell (later Labour MP for Southall)

Clarion Clubhouses

Manchester Clarion Clubhouses

“Comradeship and fresh air at a reasonable cost”

(article based extensively on an article by Denis Pye)

The Clarion movement was based around the Clarion newspaper established in 1891, one of its off shoots was a very successful cycling section formed in 1895. The slogan of the club was taken from William Morris's slogan “Fellowship is Life” and “Lack of Fellowship is death”.

One of the most successful areas for the Clarion movement was the industrial towns of North West of England.

Soon the Manchester Clarion Cycling Club began to organise regular summer camps for its members, initially at Tabley Brook near Knutsford in August 1895 and 1896

These Clarion camps were organised by
Charles "Charlie"D Reekie, Secretary of
Manchester Clarion Cycling Club.

Charlie Reekie was a Railway Clerk from Ancoats, Manchester.

The first Manchester Clarion camp at Tabley Brook was organised for three weeks in August 1895. The Clarion camp consisted of four bell tents, a square kitchen tent and a large marquee for dining and entertainment – all equipment for the Clarion camp (including Gorton ILP crockery) was transported in a horse drawn caravan borrowed from a farmer and Clarion supporter from Malpas, Mr William Ranstead

(The same van that was used by the first Clarion women’s propaganda van tour).

The first Manchester Clarion camp of 1895 was a huge success and was visited by over 2,200 cyclists of whom 460 camped.

After the success of this initial camp Charlie Reekie suggested other Clarion camps in other parts of the country under the slogan “Comradeship and fresh air at a reasonable cost” he also wrote a short poem

“Where thrushes sing and busy bee hums,
Far from the stinking, stifling slums,
We’ll pitch our tents by a troutlet stream,
Sink all sorrow, nor think of the morrow,
But look on life as a happy dream”

With the success of the Clarion camp, Manchester Clarion's began to examine the possibility of a Clarion Clubhouse in the country, an old “old farmhouse” was already mentioned being discussed by Manchester Clarion cyclists. The Clarion Scout Journal in November 1895 reported that the Burnley Clarion cycling club had already established a a Clubhouse (photo left) and that the Manchester Clarion Cycling Club were keen to get one by next Spring.

However by August 1896 the Clarion’s were once again camping at Tabley Brook this time with fourteen bell tents, two marques and Clarion cyclist came from as far away as Birmingham and London. Kier Hardie the great Labour leader even put in an appearance at the Clarion camp, staying the night and even help preparing the porridge in the morning (probably in the rain as Charlie Reekie once again wrote the following verse

“The rugs are wet and the beds are damp,
Conducive to ague, rheumatic and cramp’
We’re praying for sunshine, but the weather gets wuss,
Causing the campers to quietly kuss.”

Charlie Reekies dream for a Clarion clubhouse was modelled on guest houses in William Morris’s “News from Nowhere”.

They would be “clean, airy, well appointed rooms, furnished with fumed oak furniture, tapestry hangings and allegorical pictures” The house would be “ Surrounded by grounds and with a first floor balconies for al fresco meals (with) fruit orchard and playing fields on every side; the whole alive fair women and brave men; while up in the sky floated a captive balloon to guide comrades from miles around towards the pleasant by lanes approaching the spot – the ideal spot”.

The Rev T Arthur Leonard of Colne had already established a o-operative Holiday Association Guest House in Ambleside in 1893.

One local Clarion had even visited the cabin of Thoreau's Walden in Massachusetts, Thoreau lived in the woods of Massachusetts for two years, two months, and two days and wrote a book of his experience "Life in the Woods".

BUCKLOW HILL 1897-1902

“The first socialist guest house”

By February 1897 a plan was in progress for the Manchester Clarion Cycluing Club to take a cottage half a days cycling from Manchester, Wigan, Bolton, Rochdale, Oldham and Liverpool (all flourishing Clarion cycling clubs)

In June 1897 the Clarion proclaimed that Bucklow Hill (four miles South of Altrincham on the A556) would be the “first experimental co-operative cottage of the Clarion clubs” it also noted that apart from the cottage their was a field for camping and football.

Bucklow Hill Clarion Clubhouse (the house being known previously as Acropolis) was officially opened on the 22^nd June 1897 and was deliberately designed to offer socialist alternative to celebrations and holiday to mark Queen Victoria’s 60^th anniversary as monarch.

The Clarion cyclists met at Trafford Bar at 10am on the 22^nd June 1897 in a great ride out to the opening at Bucklow Hill.

Robert Blatchford “Nanquam” the editor of the Clarion was to perform the opening with a specially cast diamond jubilee pig iron key, but he was not available on the day and as a result the Clarion clubhouse at Bucklow Hill was opened by Mr J. Pitt-Hardacre actor-manager of the Comedy Theatre, Manchester
and keen Clarion cyclist.

Some 250 were present for dinner (lunch and even more for tea). The clubhouse could accommodate up to sixty people overnight and up to 150 for meals.

The Clarion newspaper columnist Haydon Perry wrote an article stating that he found people on the balcony, and in garden deck chairs under Chinese umbrellas, reading and smoking. Tents had been pitched in the adjoining field and campers used spring water for washing. There was ample rooms for stabling bicycles, a large kitchen and dinning room, an office and a reading room. Up stairs a general purpose room opened on to the balcony , which offered a view of the road to Manchester ],. The dormitories were named after flowers.

The steward and stewardess of the Clubhouse were Mr and Mrs Bennett (Manchester Clarion cyclists)

The Secretary of the Bolton Clarion cycling club stated the new clarion clubhouse was “Centre of a cycling paradise, away from the Smokey towns” popular rides included rides to Arley Hall and Rostherne Mere.

The Clarion clubhouse was very popular with cyclists and non cyclists who came for the evening concerts and walked or cycled during the the day.

The funding for the project was to come from the proceeds of selling 2,000 five shilling shares in the Clarion cycling Clubhouses company limited, a company drawn up by Dr Richard Pankhurst (father of Sylvia Pankhurst).

At the first meeting of the shareholders in October 1897 at the Royal Oak tavern, Quay street, Deansgate, Manchester, some 150 people attended. However the good attendance did not materialise into share ownership and only some 120 out of 500 shares had been taken.

The Clarion Cycling Club spent its winter months raising money to maintain its new property, to this end they were helped by the Manchester Clarion choir who also organised concerts to pay for the clubhouse.

The Bucklow Hill cottage was acquired on a five year lease from the local Earl Egerton of Tatton, who only later found out he had mistakenly let one of his establishments to the hated socialists., unsurprisingly the lease was not renewed by Earl Egerton in June 1902.

HANDFORTH 1903-1935

After its untimely eviction from Bucklow Hill, Manchester Clarions scoured the countryside for a replacement Clarion Clubhouse and they found an ideal establishment eight miles from Bucklow hill, in the form of a dilapidated, old, empty farmhouse. It was located on the outward road between Cheadle and Handforth, about half a mile off the main Manchester-Wilmslow road.

It was flanked by two orchards and was secluded enough to minimise the possibility of causing annoyance to local people.

Handworth Clarion Clubhouse was officially opened in September 1903

Rambling farmhouse had a large kitchen with oak beams and panelling, which was as furnished with a comfortable sitting room. Here the presiding genius was Edward Fay, the much loved “Bounder” who had died in 1896 at the age of 43 and whose picture adorned the wall. There was a card room as well as a library and reading room. Four dormitories with a total of fifty beds, and tents available to sleep at least a dozen, failing that you could also sleep in the hayloft.

Outside, a lawn fringed with a well kept garden could be enjoyed from a number of wooden benches. The kitchen garden was the “pride of the steward” One of two orchards was used as an open air theatre

or auditorium (anything from Shakespeare to Shaw). Nearby was a large playing field with three tennis courts and space for cricket and football and the annual old English sports day held in July and included obstacle races, high jump, skipping, and potato gathering for the ladies.

Handforth played a pivotal role in development of the Clarion's and early socialist ideas in the North West.

Colin Coates (a keen Clarion cyclstated “I fear we were guilty of attempting to make the most of two worlds; the Clarion Cycling Club with the claims and charms of the road, and the benefits which the House afforded in the way of concerts, games, plays etc. there were amongst the members at that time many who were able and willing to draw from their store of talents; singers, players, reciters could always be tapped to provide good entertainment. Weather permitting, concerts arranged in the orchard. On the stage beneath the pear trees the artists did their stuff”.

The Clubhouse was surely one of the greatest treasurers of the Clarion movement and the leisure and enjoyment it gave to thousands of socialists toiling in Northern industrial towns must have been immense. Everything revolved around the Clubhouse and the saying “Clubhouse for tea” was a very popular slogan amongst the North west Clarion Cyclists.

It may have been a Utopian experiment but the mass unemployment of the 1930's forced the Handforth Clarion Clubhouse to close in the early 1930's

VALLEY HOUSE 1936-1951

In 1938 the Manchester Clarion Scouts were once again in search of a Clubhouse this time they found it at Valley House, Oversley Ford on the banks of the river Bollin near Styal, just two miles from Handforth.

The prominent gold painted clarion sign from the old clubhouse at Handforth was taken to the new premises and a fixed to the outside wall as previously do ne at Handforth.

The official opening was conducted by Hubert Humphries a Birmingham Councillor (later Mayor of Birmingham) on the 24^th May 1936. Over 600 were present at opening and Sang the red flag

Those seeing it for the first time must have been impressed with their new home. The site was quiet and secluded, surrounded as it was by tall trees. The house was fronted by extensive gardens, while alongside the River Bollin was a large natural field with space for cricket or football with tennis courts and putting green.

While the Clubhouse was always in need of financial support money was raised after war to pay of its debts however the local Public Health Department demanded improvements, which would cost a further £2,000 and the Clarions were forced to sell the Clubhouse in 1951

Of the Clarion Clubhouses that were opened by 1950 only a handful remained

Clarion Club house - Sheffield Dore Moor (Left)

Their was previously a Clarion hut at Sheffield, Cordwell Valley, probably on the land of Edward Carpenter, and was used by Heeley Clarion Fellowship , It was transfered to the Dore Moor land in 1920, when built by local Clarion's.

The Sheffield Dore Moor Clarion Club House was not only used by the club house shareholders, [who could stay there overnight,] but also by the Clarion Cycling Club , and Clarion Ramblers . At the Club House there were the Clarion Entertainers, a Clarion Football team, Clarion Cricket team, there was a putting green , a bowling green, childrens playground,and a wonderful view of Sheffield from the club house verander at the back. The general public could buy their cups of tea and sandwiches in the cafe, or could even bring their own tea and just get hot water during the war years.

Ribble Valley near Ribchester opened in 1913 (right)

Yorkshire (Menston) Clubhouse opened in 1902 (Still open but lost control ?)( below Left)

(Halewood Clarion Clubhouse Left of which little is known ???)

The only Clarion Clubhouse open to day, under progressive management is the excellent clubhouse at Pendle.

www.clarionhouse.org.uk

END