WWI and the Staff: Examples of Organisational Support
Every day the number of men joining up grew. Here we explore just a few of the ways that the organisation supported them and those taking on their work
Enlistment of Company's men (1915-04-29)TfL Corporate Archives
Enlistment of Company's Men
By 1915, the war was costing the country 3 times as much as it would ordinarily save. To plug the deficit the Government introduced the War Loan. Under this scheme, people could buy £5 bonds with an interest of 4.5%. The Government undertook to repay these bonds by 1945
Letter regarding 4.5% National War Loan
Arrangements under which subscriptions could be dealt with through the weekly payroll
To help their employees benefit from this scheme, the organisation subscribed to the loan on their behalf. 2d/week was then deducted from the salaries of those who wished to participate but all the risk was taken on by the organisation. A further War Loan was launched in January 1917 and War Loan sweepstakes became a popular feature of work social activities!
The organisation paid a war bonus to staff to help them afford the increased costs of living. Records in the archives show that often this was slightly higher than the amount stipulated by the Government.
Effect on wage bill if present demand for increase in wages is granted (1916-09-14)TfL Corporate Archives
Effect on wage bill if present demand for increase in wages
September 1916 document giving a breakdown of the war bonus and stating that it requires an outlay of £73,100 (equivalent to £5.2 million in 2024)
War bonus amounts seem to have been kept consistent across the different modes of travel and the different railway lines. Indicative of their time, the minute books for both the City and South London Railway (Northern line) and the Metropolitan Railway show that female administrative staff were not given the same war bonus as their male counterparts.
War Bonus for Administrative Staff
"In view of the increase in the cost of living, it was decided to grant a war bonus." Note that the amount was different for men and women
Increase in War Bonus
As the cost of living increased, so did the amount of war bonus that staff received
Payment of salaries and wages to officers and employees called up (1915-07-22)TfL Corporate Archives
Payment of Salaries to Staff Serving Overseas
The practice of continuing to pay the salaries of staff called up to serve was adopted across the company (with the exception of the District Railway). At first full salaries were paid, but over time this was reduced
Christmas Gifts for Men at the Front
From the outset the company took to sending Christmas gifts to its men at the Front. This then expanded into other gifts organised both centrally and locally at individual depots and garages
Christmas hampers (1917-12-25)TfL Corporate Archives
Christmas Hampers from 1917
The company would try to send gifts for its men serving overseas and those lying wounded in hospitals at home and abroad. The Metropolitan Railway sent 400 Christmas packages of "useful articles" to men at the front in 1914 at a cost of £190. By 1917 this had risen to 700 parcels
Christmas boxes for the Front (1918-02-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Christmas boxes for the front
Breakdown of how many boxes have been provided to staff serving overseas and what they contained
Pipes for wounded soldiers and sailors (1918-11-14)TfL Corporate Archives
Pipes for wounded soldiers and sailors
In November 1918, 112,000 cigars, 28,000 cigarettes, and many packets of tobacco were distributed to wounded soldiers and sailors in hospital thanks to the generosity of staff, passengers and private benefactors
Tuck from Cricklewood (1916-04-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Tuck sent to the front from Cricklewood Bus Garage
The tuck box arrived while it was "snowing hard"...
For staff at home, 31 mess rooms were opened at which hot and substantial meals, consisting of a cut from the joint, two vegetables, and a desert, could be bought for a reduced rate of 7d or 8d. 5 recreation institutes were provided for the use of staff for concerts, dancing, meetings, and social recreation generally, and 18 athletic and social clubs were formed.
Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.
