1971
(513)
(MAIN LINE LOCOMOTIVE DRIVER)
Born in Leicester on 26th September 1898 and educated at Melbourne Road School, Leicester. He commenced work at the age of fourteen with the British United Shoe Machinery Company Limited, as an apprentice in the tool room.
Married Jessica Maria Muggleton on 27th May 1922 and has one son and one daughter, both married.
Between 1915 and 1918 he served in the Royal Leicestershire Regiment and the Royal Flying Corps. On returning to civilian life he joined the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company and later qualified as a driver, and for the remainder of his service on the railway he was employed as a main line locomotive driver. He held the office of Branch Secretary of the Leicester Branch of the National Union of Railwaymen for 25 years.
In the early 1920's he joined the Leicester Labour Party, and served as a co-opted member on Committees of the City Council before securing election as a member for Humberstone Ward in 1953. He failed to secure re, election in 1959, but was again elected in 1964 as a member for Latimer Ward which he represented until his election as Alderman in May 1970. Appointed High Bailiff for the City in 1969.
During his service on the City Council he has served on most of the major Committees, and has held the Vice Chairmanship of the former Watch Committee and the Vice Chairmanship of the Public Control and Fire Brigade Committee.
There were several Civic visits during the year arising from the City's links with the Royal Anglian Regiment and the twinning with Strasbourg and Krefeld. The tenth anniversary of the twinning with Strasbourg was marked by a visit here by the Mayor and a delegation from that City.
The Year of Office was marked by a rare and colourful occasion in the history of the City, when on the 8th February 1972, the Honorary Freedom was conferred upon Baron Janner, of the City of Leicester,Kt.,B.A.,Hon.LL.D., Alderman Sir Ernest Oliver, C.B.E., T.D., D.L., Alderman Sidney William Bridges and Dr. Mac Goldsmith. The British Medical Association held its Annual Conference in the City in July 1971, and there was also a visit by the Ambassador for Thailand. The year, too, saw the cessation of the City's Court of Quarter Sessions and separate Commission of Assize, following the establishment of the new Crown Court.
