William Robert Spence
William Robert Locke Spence (9 October 1875 – 3 March 1954) was a British politician.
Born in Cockpen in Midlothian,[1] Spence was educated at the Royal High School, Edinburgh. When he was fifteen, he became an apprentice sailor, and joined the National Sailors' and Firemen's Union (NSFU).[2] He served in the Merchant Navy for many years, becoming an officer.[1]
In 1911, Spence began working full-time as an official of the NSFU, based on shore, initially in South Shields, and later in various ports in the south of England. In 1928, he was elected as the union's general secretary, and from 1931 to 1941, he additionally served on the General Council of the Trades Union Congress.[1]
Spence was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1937. During World War II, he was a member of the Advisory Council to the Ministry of Shipping.[1] He retired in 1942, settling in Shoreham-by-Sea.[2]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Obituary: W. Robert Spence", Annual Report of the 1954 Trades Union Congress, p.320
- 1 2 "Spence, William Robert Locke", Who Was Who
| Trade union offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Edmund Cathery |
General Secretary of the National Amalgamated Sailors' and Firemen's Union 1928 – 1942 |
Succeeded by Charles Jarman |
| Preceded by John Beard, Ernest Bevin and Ben Tillett |
Transport Group member of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress 1931 – 1941 With: John Beard (1931–1935) Ernest Bevin (1931 –1940) Walter Farthing (1935–1941) Arthur Deakin (1940–1941) |
Succeeded by Arthur Deakin, Walter Farthing and Charles Jarman |