National Union Of Railwaymen.

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Before Kimilsungism, Maoism, Stalinism or even Marxism-Leninism was the Labour Movement.

The National Union Of Railwaymen was created in 1913 by the merging of the Amalgamated Society Of Railway Servants, United Pointsmen And Signalmen's Society And General Railway Workers' Union. By 31st December 1913 the NUR had 267,611 members

The NUR, created during the Great Labour Unrest in Great Britain in the pre-Great War era, took for its motto an English translation of a German phrase, "Workers Of The World, Unite!".

The NUR was a key element in many national strike actions and saw the nationalisation of British Railways in 1948 although they did not exist to see British Rail privatised again as they merged into the National Union Of Rail, Maritime And Transport Workers (RMT) in 1990.

Here is a 1921-22 Member's Card for Leicester Number 4 Branch to W. Warden of 70 Clifford Street, Wigston Magna. At this time there were three Railway stations serving Wigston, there is now only "South Wigston" from which his address is only 400 yards.

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Here are the rule books of October 1931 and June 1947. A great insight into the changes in trade unionism from before and after the Second World War but before nationalisation.

"A union of railway workers of all grades united to advance their social condition. United also for mutual aid and joint protection"

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A nice early brass lapel Membership Badge with the classic slogan.

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Another example with less detailed hands.

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Here is the Supplement to the December 1956 vest pocket conditions of service book.

Also a 1958-59-60 Contribution Card to George Topham, Cardiff 3 Branch 383.
There were and still are plenty of railway stations in Cardiff.

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A rather different style Membership Badge.

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In February 1963 this Golden Jubilee Souvenir was published which offers a great record of the activities of the NUR.

Here are two pictures from it illustrating the NUR's war effort. Paddington Railway Station in London March 1944 after being bombed by the Luftwaffe. A crater 12 feet deep and 40 feet wide on the tracks. The second picture is from only a few hours later.
Actions very similar to many researched Soviet awards featured in the Researchers' Corner.

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Here is late 1963 pamphlet on the 23rd April 1963 strike back down that was a response to "The Reshaping Of British Railways" by Doctor Dick Beeching.

A 1966 contributions card to the Upper Rhondda Branch that met every fourth Friday.

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Rules Books from January 1965 and March 1985. Both depicting the "new" Membership Badge.

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The later style Membership Lapel Badge.