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As well as nation-wide support, local Union branches would organise particular initiatives. This might be to support national efforts (for example, the Orphan Fund) or for specific branch members.
This card was sold by the Leicester No. 3 branch of the NUR, to raise funds for branch member Harry Lester. Harry was a signal linesman, for the London and North Eastern Railway. He would have been responsible for installing and maintaining wiring and cables relating to signals and trackwork. This meant his job took him trackside. In the early 20th century, this type of work was largely carried out whilst services were running – bringing with it risks of being hit by moving trains.
Harry’s 1925 was a bad year. His wife, Emma, died at the start of the year. Then on 26 February 1925, working near Leicester Central he was hit by a train, resulting in the loss of a leg. This seems to have ended his railway career.
With seven children to support, Harry’s branch colleagues stepped into action and used the perfume card to raise money. It is possible that this card was a generic template produced centrally by the NUR and then overprinted with details specific to particular people and branches.
During 1921 the NUR changed the way it recorded details of support given to members. It no longer detailed individuals in any of its funds, instead giving overall summaries. This means an incredibly valuable source of information about railway workers and Union members stops – and with it, the Union detail in the Railway Work, Life & Death project. Sadly there is nothing in the Union dataset for Harry. However, his 1925 accident does appear in the records of the state-appointed accident investigators, the Railway Inspectorate
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.