Papers of R. Leonard Fagg (1896-1974), Post Office engineering trade unionist

Scope and Content

The deposit includes Fagg's unpublished autobiography, photographs and publications of the Post Office Engineering Federation (various series of minutes, 1919-32; circulars, 1919-29; reports, 1920-31) and the Post Office Engineering Union.

Administrative / Biographical History

Leonard Fagg left school at thirteen and worked as a houseboy and labourer before joining the Royal Navy in 1912. In 1923 he joined the Post Office Engineering Department as a labourer, becoming a foreman and then an inspector. From 1924-1937 he was secretary of Kent Coastal branch of the Post Office Engineering Union and, subsequently, chairman. He was also a National Executive Councillor 1929-1937.

Fagg was a member of the Labour Party from 1919 and held positions as chairman and secretary of Pembury local party 1945-1959. He was a parish councillor during the same period and stood as a prospective parliamentary candidate in 1955 and 1956. He retired from the Post Office in 1961.

Reference: Fagg's unpublished autobiography in this deposit (MSS.120/45); Arthur Marsh and Victoria Ryan, 'Historical Directory of Trade Unions Vol. 1: Non-Manual Unions', Gower, 1980.

Access Information

This collection is available to researchers by appointment at the Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick. See http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/using/

Acquisition Information

These papers were deposited on indefinite loan in the Centre by Mrs Fagg on the 2nd February 1976.

Other Finding Aids

Related Material

The Centre also holds records of the Post Office Engineering Federation and the Post Office Engineering Union.