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

The deposit includes Fagg's unpublished autobiography, photographs and publications of the Post Office Engineering Federation (various series of minutes, 1919-32; circulars, 1919-29; reports,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

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Reference: Fagg's unpublished autobiography in this deposit (MSS.120/45); Arthur Marsh and Victoria Ryan, 'Historical Directory of Trade Unions Vol. 1: Non-Manual Unions', Gower, 1980.

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/

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

Link to full catalogue: http://mrc-catalogue.warwick.ac.uk/records/FAG

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