At the close of 1913 Mr. Charlton our Agent, had completed his 25th year on the Executive Committee, and at the Delegates’ Quarterly Meeting in March 1914, it was moved that
“Seeing that our esteemed Agent, Mr. W. B. Charlton, has completed 25 years as an Official, that we present him with his portrait in oils as a token of respect for his valuable services rendered to this, the Durham Enginemen’s Association. — Washington
After a brief discussion it was thought advisable that this motion should be withdrawn in view of the larger project now before our people. — Agreed.”
In November, 1914, then, at a largely attended smoking concert held at the Rose and Crown Hotel, Durham, he was presented with an Illuminated address, together with a cheque for 100 pounds. At the same time a silver tea service was handed to Mrs. Charlton.
The text of the address was :–
DURHAM COUNTY COLLIERY ENGINMEN’S, BOILERMINDERS’, AND FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION.
Presented to William Browell Charlton, Esq.,
Secretary.We the members of the above Association, assisted by friends, desire to place on record our heartfelt appreciation of the excellent service you have rendered to our mutual endeavour during the past 25 years of your official connection. during that period our status as a people has been marked by considerable advancement. There has come to us improved conditions, shorter hours of labour, and increased wages. we recognise that for some time past you have been, and continue to be a central figure guiding our activities for which the betterment has come. Your value to us as a people cannot be measured, and it is our deepest wish that your future years may be long, and that we may continue to be favoured by having at our head your valuable experience in industrial and political procedure to the further and protect the interests of a people that we know lie near to your heart. We also desire to express to your dear wife our best wishes, and hope that your joint future will be long and bright.
Signed, on behalf of the members of the Association,
MICHAEL WELSH, President
RICHARD ROBINSON, Treasurer
GEORGE PEART, Secretary
“The Durham Chronicle” report of the presentation is as follows :–
Mr. D. Ireland, in making the presentation, paid a glowing tribute to the work of Mr. Charlton on their behalf. He had served them first as president, than as treasurer, and for the last eight years had occupied the responsible position of chief secretary, during which time his efforts had been untiring to benefit the conditions of every member of that Association, irrespective of class.
He looked upon Mr. Charlton as an ideal leader of men, for he was always ready to give the best advice, was straight-forward, and had no favourites, treating everybody alike. He well remembered the time when Mr. Charlton was elected as their secretary by an almost if not a wholly unanimous vote of the county, which showed even at that time the extent of confidence the county placed in him. That that confidence was still reposed in him was manifest by the largeness of the gathering that night.
Proceeding, Mr. Ireland said those who had had the privilege of sitting in council with their agent could testify to the great work he had done for the welfare of their Association. But Mr. Charlton not only championed the cause of the Durham enginemen, but the cause of the enginemen and boilermen the country around. It was Mr. Charlton who advocated and brought into operation the Colliery Enginemen’s Federation in 1903. He realised that colliery enginemen should stand alone, and since the formation of that society events had proved the wisdom of that advice. He (Mr. Ireland) thought he was voicing the opinions of those present when he said that their position to-day was very largely due to the untiring efforts and rare ability of their agent.
There were other matters in which Mr. Charlton had done great work. He referred to the Mines Bill of 1911, and the signalling question. In the latter matter Mr. Charlton prepared their case and presented it Judge Ruegg with such distinction that the judge paid him a very graceful compliment. Mr. Charlton had also interested himself very much in the Eight Hours’ Bill for colliery enginemen, boilermen, and firemen, which passed its first reading in February, and they were only sorry that his health had compelled him to resign the secrataryship of the “National” before the measure was added to the statute book.
Mr. Ireland, amidst applause, then handed to Mr. Charlton the address and the cheque.
Mr. Charlton, in replying, said :–
“I had only had that regard to the Enginemen’s Association which ought to be common to every member and what was done was only my duty. What we have achieved need not be paraded, it is well known, and ought to be a supreme factor in stimulating the younger generation of members to ally themselves heart and soul with the noble aims of our honoured union. There is great work yet to be done, before the ideals set before the hearts and minds of our pioneers, are attained, the righteousness of which cannot be questioned. I am pleased that the little I have contributed toward that end has been so handsomely appreciated.”
Source: A Fifty Years’ History of the Durham County Colliery Enginemen’s, Boiler-Minders’ and Firemen’s Association by W. B. Charlton. Durham: George Bailes, Printer and Publisher, 24 silver Street, 1925.
