Ben Tillett

Ben Tillett Time Sign

Over the last decade, a group called Living Easton has been erecting Time Signs to commemorate people who have lived or worked in the area. These include Dr.W.G Grace, the famous Victorian cricketer, who had a practice on Stapleton Road, Ernest Bevan, Labour Party stalwart and this chap, Ben Tillett. Here is what it says on his plaque:

" Opposite this site, which was once John Street, is the birthplace of BenTillett, a tireless and determined defender of Workers' Rights, who led and fought for the "Docker's Tanner" during the great Dockers
strike of 1889.

As General Secretary of the then, Wharf, Riverside and General Workers Union, he played a leading role during the early 20's in the subsequent formation of the Transport and General Workers Union.

Ben went on to be a Labour Member of Parliament; an Alderman of London County Council and President of the Trades Union Council in 1929."

I attended the unveiling of this plaque (in the year 2000, I think) by Bill Morris, the then head of the TGWU. It was absolutely pouring with rain, but there was a good crowd.

The plaque is sited behind the Queen's Head pub, Easton Road, at the junction of Bannerman Road and Comb Factory Lane.

For more info on Ben Tillett, check out the Living Easton Website

PS. I've just been looking at the above website and it turns out that Ben Tillett's Dad worked as a "cart polisher" and in a comb factory - presumably the one in Comb Factory Lane.