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Mark Tait led a chequered life. After mixed early years, what we know of his later life shows us a family man who supported his Union branch.
Mark joined the North Eastern Railway in Berwick in 1888, becoming a fireman in 1891 and driver in 1905. He joined the ASRS Berwick Border branch in 1892. Over his career, he witnessed railway accidents, drove royalty and was falsely accused of theft.
He also collected money tirelessly for the Orphan Fund. That was recognised in the medal he was awarded in 1925, on display here. In 1923 his Union branch beat 500 others across Britain in securing the greatest amount of money for the Fund. That success was put down to Mark.
This account is one of over 20 life stories featured in the Railway Work, Life & Death project’s ‘Lives on the Line: Railway Workers, Accidents & Union Action’ exhibition at project partner the Modern Records Centre, from October 2026 until mid-January 2027.