LOSS TO DURHAM TRADE UNIONISM
Passing of Mr. W. B. Charlton
A Devoted Servant
We record with regret the death of Mr. William Browell Charlton, which occurred on Saturday at 26 Western Hill, Durham after a prolonged illness, at the age of 77 years. for over half a century he had been one of the most highly respected, as he was among the most active figures in the trades union world, and he occupied the office of chairman of the Durham County Mining Federation Board during that most difficult period in the coal trade in 1926.
Some three or four years ago Mr Charlton retired from the office of secretary of the Durham County Colliery Enginemen’s, Boilerminders’ and Firemen’s Association, which he had with distinction for more than twenty years. He was then seriously indisposed, and ever since had not enjoyed good health, though he was often to be seen in the streets and was regular in the carrying out of his duties as a City Magistrate.
Several weeks ago, however, his condition gave rise to considerable anxiety, and for a time he was under the supervision of a specialist at Newcastle. He returned home and was confined to bed. He was nursed by two devoted daughters and Mrs. Woof, a daughter of the late Dr. John Wilson, M.P., who was his revered friend and colleague in the world of coal-mining. The end cam on Saturday about two o’clock, when he slept peacefully away.
BEGAN WORK AT 8 YEARS
A Native of Chester-le-Street, W. B. Charlton began work coupling at the flats at Edmondsley Colliery when only eight years of age. In due course he proceeded to Littleburn as a boiler-fireman, where he obtained his certificate as a winding engineman in 1874. At the age of 19 he married Miss Mary Green, daughter of the overman at the colliery. Subsequently he was employed at Seaham Colliery and later at Hetton, when he was elected as the representative of the township on Durham county Council.
After periods at Usworth and Hamsteels he returned to Littleburn in 1894 and took a lively interest in the public affairs of that district. He was the first chairman of Brandon Urban Council, his contemporaries being William Willis, Mr. William Green and Mr. Samuel Galbraith, and was one of the pioneers of the Brandon Co-operative Society.
Mr. Charlton’s connection with the Durham County Colliery Enginemen’s Association began in 1888, when he was elected by the Hamsteels Lodge as delegate to the council of that body. He soon became an ardent trades unionist, and was selected by his fellows for high office, which he carried with dignity and restraint, always exercising an independent judgement on the great issues that cropped up from time to time.
APPOINTED SECRETARY
For four years he was president of the Association, and succeeded in the treasureship Mr. Thomas Hindmarsh when that gentleman was killed at Birtley. In 1906 he was appointed secretary of the office until a few years ago. He was most zealous and courageous.
Mr. Charlton was the author of “A Fifty Years’ History of the Durham County Enginemen’s, Boilerminders’ and Firemen’s Association” published in 1925, in which he gave a most interesting record of the organization which he served so long and so faithfully.
When the great coal dispute descended upon the industry in 1926 Mr Charlton was the Chairman of the County Mining Federation Board and during the whole of that anxious period did not hesitate to criticise the leaders. He was sensible then of what was afterwards admitted to be a catastrophic dispute, and said so in the circulars he issued in his position as the leader of the colliery enginemen.
Mr Charlton was an earnest Wesleyan Methodist. While in the Crook Circuit he became a local preacher and while living in Durham had occupied many of the pulpits of the Circuit. He was most regular in his attendance at the Old Elvet Church.
He was a Justice of the Peace for the City of Durham and as in all his other activities gave himself whole-heatedly to the duties of that responsible position. Mr Charlton leaves one son, The Rev. R. Charlton, working in Canada and two daughters, Miss Isabel Charlton, who is an organiser for the Liberal Party in Yorkshire and Mrs Waller, wife of Mr. Matthew Waller. Mrs. Charlton died seven or eight years ago.
PIONEER OF HOMES
No one had a greater love for the Aged Miners’ Homes movement than Mr Charlton, who attended most of the ceremonies in connection with the foundation stone laying and official opening of these dwellings in various parts of the coalfield. The association had a special claim upon him in the fact that he was one of the founders and in the very early days assisted the late Mr Joseph Hopper in the multitudinous correspondence.
He was loved by all connected with the Association to which he had devoted so much of his life and that love was translated in a manner that was essentially practical and generous.
Mr Charlton’s only son, the Rev. R. Charlton of Shawinigan Falls, Quebec sent a cablegram to his sisters expressing his grief. In a letter received only a few days earlier he referred to his father as one who gave the practical Christian council which men needed to heed to-day more than ever. “My father is a happy man with something of the fresh innocence of childhood always about him,” he wrote. A cablegram was also received from Mr. Matther Waller, son-in-law, who is in Canada.
COURT TRIBUTE
“Before commencing the business of the court this morning it is my melancholy duty on behalf of the Bench to refer to the loss this court has sustained by the passing of Mr Charlton,” said Coun. T. W. Holiday at Durham City police court on Monday. “He was one of the most regular members on the Bench. He became a magistrate before I was appointed, but during the whole of the time it has been my privilege to have been associated with this court we could have no more loyal colleague than Mr Charlton, who spared himself in no way in the carrying out of his important duties.
“He was well fitted to occupy the magisterial office and was most conscientious. The Clerk will send a letter from the Court to the bereaved family.”
Mr H. L. Swinburne in joining in the expression of sympathy on behalf of the solicitors practising at the court said; “I have not known this court as long as Mr Charlton knew it, but I always felt when speaking with Mr charlton on the Bench that he was giving all proper weight to every word that was spoken and no point would pass him without that weight of which it was entitled to.
Inspector P. W. Derry also joined in the expression on behalf of the Chief Constable of the County (Mr G. Morley), The clerk (Mr J.L. Mawson) said; “Mr charlton was one of the oldest and most conscientious members of the City Bench and was a regular attender. He was always scrupulously fair in whatever part he took in making decisions.”
MR PETER LEE’S APPRECIATION
Mr Peter Lee, in forwarding to members of the family a resolution of sympathy passed by the Executive Committee of the Durham Miner’s Association, paid tribute to the long and loyal service rendered by the deceased gentleman to the Colliery Enginemen’s Association. The letter proceeded:
“As a prominent member of the County Mining Federation Board, over which he presided as chairman for many years, his wide experience and sagacious council were always highly esteemed, and helped our organisations to weather the storms of some terribly difficult periods of industrial turmoil and depression.
“Apart from and in addition to the yeoman service he rendered his own people in Durham, Mr Charlton always evinced a deep and abiding interest in all that concerned the progress and well-being of the working classes of the country generally. He had gone through the early struggles with the pioneers, knew what traits and tribulations they had suffered in order to establish firmly the right of workmen to combine in their trades unions for defence and mutual support, and none understood better than he what the trades unions have done for the workmen, especially in Durham County.
“As a citizen, Mr Charlton leaves a host of friends to grieve his loss. His genial and kindly nature was such as to win him friends in all walks of life.”
THE INTERNMENT
TRIBUTE BY WESLEYAN MINISTER
The internment took place on Wednesday at St. Cuthbert’s Church, Durham where there was a large gathering representative of the varied trade union activities in the coalfield. Kindred bodies of mine workers were all numerously represented as well as City Council and the Magistracy and Wesleyan Methodism.
It was a great tribute to one who in many ways played a notable part in the life of the county in which he had spent the whole of his life. Three gentlemen present — Mr William Willis, Mr William Green (Langley Moor) and Mr S. Galbraith (Durham) — were associated with him in the first meeting of Brandon Urban Council.
Prior to the internment an impressive service took place in the Old Elvet Wesleyan Methodist Church, with which Mr Charlton had long been associated. The church was completely filled. Mr W. H. B. Harrison presented at the organ and played “O Rest in the Lord” as the coffin was borne into the sacred edifice.
The Rev. R. H. Ashley, superintendent minister, officiated, and the Rev. T. Harrison Burnett, now of Newcastle, gave an address in which he referred to the life’s work of Mr Charlton. The Rev. J.T. Waddy and the Rev. H. V. Sproson also took part. The cortege was preceded by a posse of police under the direction of Inspector Derry.
Mr. Ashby read the 23rd Psalm. “The Lord is my Shepherd,” and the hymns were “O Worship the King,” When I Survey” and “For all the Saints.”
SERVED HIS FELLOWS
Mr Burnett dealt with various aspects of Mr Charlton’s useful career and described him as one of the hand of that band of men Durham County produced last century, and who had, in recent years, taken such a leading part in the history of England, either locally or nationally. Thrust into the stern struggle of life at an early age he soon revealed outstanding qualities. The great trade union movement provided for him a sphere in which he served his fellows and, unconsciously, developed his own powers.
From one stage of responsibility to another he went until he was intrusted with the highest offices open to those of his own department of labour. In all the spheres of public usefulness to which he devoted himself he won the esteem and goodwill of those with whom he came into contact. His faith in God and belief in religion were the inspiration of all his work. He loved his God and neighbour as himself.
Mr Charlton made many friends among widely differing classes. Old folk, little children, assistants in shops, humble men and women, Christian ministers, and lay workers — all looked for and loved his cheery salutation in the street and in the Market Place.
He was a tender husband and a loving father. ” His children rise up and call him blessed,” added the minister, who hoped the family would be solaced and supported in their hour of trial.
The chief mourners were:– Mrs M. Waller and Mis M. I. Charlton, daughters; Mrs Grant (Kimblesworth), sister-in-law; Mr J. Brown and family of Usworth; and Mr and Mrs R Heddon and family of Kimbleworth. There were also present Mrs Woof, Mrs Chipchare, Mrs Arnold, Mr and Mrs S. Galbraith, Mrs Heisman, Mrs Robert Dobson, Morton; Mr and Mrs William Willis, Langley Moor, Miss Briggs, Mr William Green, Mrs Chisholm, Mrs J. Turner, Mr Luke White, Miss White, Mr Pattison, Mrs J. Brown, Mr G. and Mr T. Tale, Bedlington.
Continue reading Obituary – W. B. Charlton – Durham Chronicle – Feb. 5, 1932
