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0607a Aslef journal.qxd 29/6/06 13:56 Page 17Obituaries The ASLEF Journal July 2006OBITUARIES‘STALWART’ GEORGESAVILLE, FORMER ECMEMBERThe Society has lost a greatstalwart with the passing of79-year-old retired ExecutiveCommittee member GeorgeSaville on 23 April. He servedon the EC from 12 April 1966until the end of 1980.I last met George at theAAD held in Hereford when Iwas able to pay tribute to himfor his outstanding servicesto ASLEF and to the Labourmovement.George had a very familiarstyle, always walking with hishands behind his back. Hewas the ExecutiveCommittee’s representativeon the leading body of theAnti-Apartheid movement andspent many a lunch breakdemonstrating outside SouthAfrica house in TrafalgarSquare.Nobody was more pleasedthan George when NelsonMandela was released fromprison and the terrible regimewas brought to an end. I sawGeorge several times after hisretirement and he was oftenseen at Head Office creatingthe museum. A member ofASLEF for more than 45years, George more thanproved his commitment tothe movement.George worked for Labourin Ilford and Leytonstow atevery election – local andnational – from 1945. He wasa member of the GreaterLondon LP, active on his localtrades council and instrumentalin setting up Leyton’sworkers’ centre.He was at various timestreasurer and chair ofRochford and Southend Eastparty and served as secretaryof the local governmentcommittee. He was alsosecretary of theShoeburyness party, adelegate to the Essex partyand an active member of theCo-op Party. At the mostrecent meeting of this body itwas agreed to donate £100towards the cost of a benchto commemorate George’smemory.When he did find time torelax, there was nothing heliked more than working onhis allotment.On behalf of all the Officersand EC Members may Iextend our deepest sympathyto the familyKeith NormanBROTHER RAY TAYLORFROM WATFORD: A GOODFRIENDIt is with sadness that I reportthe passing of Brother RayTaylor.Ray started at WatfordDepot aged 15, and spenttime at Charing Cross beforereturning to Watford. He wasan ASLEF local representativefor many years beforetaking on the CompanyCouncillor’s position at theirinception in the 1990s.Suffering from emphysema,he took ill health retirement in1966.Ray’s passions were DIY,Chelsea football club, rock ‘n’roll, Glenfiddich whisky,talking about trains of allkinds (although he never losthis love for steam) and, mostof all, his family.He was a good friend tomany at Watford and a loyalmember of ASLEF all his life.He only recently gained his40-year ASLEF badge. Heleaves a wife, two daughtersand two grandchildren. Wesend our heartfelt sympathyto his family.Neal Cooper CompanyCouncil rep – WatfordSORROW AT ‘WARDY’S’PASSINGIt is with regret that I reportthe death of Paul E. Ward(‘Wardy’) aged 49.Paul started his career as aSecondman at Hitchin in1973. He was a likeablecharacter, fond of practicaljokes. There are manyamusing memories of him –ALAN THOMAS BIRCH: LEFT US TOO EARLYIt is with the greatest sadness that I write this obituary for Alan Birch, who died of canceron 6 May this year, just a month after his 59th birthday.I worked for many years with Alan on the LDC at Marylebone he was a joy to work with –I couldn’t have had a better tutor than Alan. It was with his encouragement that I firststood for the LDC. With his usual dry wit he informed me just before the vote that he wasnominating the other candidate! He was a man of few words in meetings but had theknack of saying just enough to get his point over.It was no surprise that so many turned out at his funeral, which is always so nice for hisfamily to witness how much he was loved. His father spoke bravely and proudly of hisson, sentiments shared by his sons and daughter.As Tessa invited us all back to the flat after the funeral, it was nice to see Alan’s ASLEFmemorabilia on display. His collection of badges, retirement section badge and card andhis appreciation certificate were displayed prominently. Alan was a true trade unionistwhose belief in helping others never wavered. He even gave some children a home forChristmas during the miners strike, seeing it as his duty as an active union memberfighting for the rights of the working man.Alan is a sad loss to ASLEF. As our company councillor for the past few years hishonesty and integrity could never be questioned. He had time for everyone and becauseof that I would like to simply say, ‘Thank you, Alan,’ on behalf of everyone at Marylebone.When he took ill-health retirement I still envisaged seeing him at Christmas and Branchreunions. Sadly, he left us too early. I will really miss you, buddy.I also wish Tessa and his family the best in the coming years. Alan was really loved byso many, and nothing can take away the happy memories he left us.Ian Neeve Chair – Marylebone BranchKEITH NORMAN ADDS: On the 19 May 2006 I attended the funeral of Bro Alan Birch. Webecame friends when we became involved in Driver Restructuring talks on the ChilternRailways.Alan was a man of few words but he was always listened to when he spoke. He was avery good negotiator who also possessed a quirky sense of humour. He loved his familyand ensured that they always came first. He was a very traditional union member andthere was no more loyal a servant to the cause than Alan.Alan certainly had the ability to progress to higher office but he preferred family life andwanted to spend as much time at home as possible. I knew he had been unwell for sometime but his passing at the age of 59 years came as a shock. I will always remember himfor fine his negotiating skills especially when he alone secured the Driver –In -Chargeallowance on the opening of the then new depot at Tyseley. His quirky sense of humourand wry smile will live on in the memories of all who met him even those who on times didnot like what he said after all he was not a man to suffer fools gladly.The funeral was very well attended with older and younger colleagues all turning out topay their last respects to Alan. On behalf of the Officers and EC Members of ASLEF may Iextend our deepest sympathy to Tessa and Family.17