London Passenger Transport Board Staff Overseas in WWII
Who were the LPTB men who served in WWII? Using material from the TfL Corporate Archives we introduce you to some of these men and their stories
In 1939, London’s public transport authority, the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB), had over 86,000 members of staff on its payroll. By October, 7,121 had enlisted into the armed forces, and by the end of the war, 22,580 employees had been called up for service.
LPTB staff were sent to fight the Axis all over the world and were involved in many pivotal battles which would support the allied victory.
Officers and men of the 84th (LT) AA (Anti-aircraft) Regiment (1939-08-05) by Topical PressLondon Transport Museum
LPTB's Anti-Aircraft Regiment
The 84th (London Transport) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, part of the Royal Artillery, was formed in October 1938 following Hitler’s violation of the Munich Agreement made between Germany, France and Britain
An officer and soldiers from the 84th (LT) AA (Anti-Aircraft) Regiment (1939-08-18) by Topical PressLondon Transport Museum
'Strong for Service'
The new regiment was composed of 4 batteries recruited from LTPB staff and for this reason ‘London Transport’ was included in its title. Its motto was ‘Strong for Service’, a phrase coined during the advertising of the creation of the LPTB in 1933
One battery landed in Norway in 1940, and after a stint at home the regiment saw action in Italy and North Africa.
"Safe Back from Norway"
Photograph showing bus drivers who worked for the 84th Anti-Aircraft Regiment in France. The regiment suffered 1 casualty, Sergeant H. E. A. Truss, a bus conductor from Catford, who was fatally crushed when mounting a gun during battle
The regiment took part in the Siege of Tobruk, battle for Sidi Rezegh, Battle of Medenine, the allied invasion of Sicily, and were the first battery of heavy anti-aircraft gunners to land in Tripoli in 1943.
Anti-Aircraft Regiment takes down enemy planes over Libya (1941-1942)TfL Corporate Archives
"The country would make a London busman weep"
The London Transport Anti-Aircraft batteries fought in Libya and were the most advanced unit in the desert campaign. Joseph Fitzpatrick, ticket clerk at Hammersmith, writes a letter to Pennyfare discussing his wartime experiences and hardships navigating the rocky Libyan terrain
Account from officer reporting on good morale
The men were considered “seasoned desert rats” with a strong, fighting reputation. It was reported that some of the regiment’s batteries were employed in every port and landing used to bring goods ashore
Letter from a Gunner (1939-10)TfL Corporate Archives
Not just friends, but comrades
Within the regiment morale of the troops was high, with a real sense of camaraderie. One gunner wrote to LTPB’s staff magazine Pennyfare stating, “Not a man in the Battery wishes himself out”
The London Anti-Aircraft regiment was in high spirits and the officers were happy to be involved in routine tasks such as digging. Concerts were held in the evenings to boost morale and the men were fed well
Staff were stationed across the globe building railroads in North Africa, fighting in tanks and planes, and driving supply lorries across the rocky desert terrain - their civil skills coming in to good use to support the war effort.
No matter where staff were stationed, teamwork was of the upmost importance and it wasn’t uncommon that staff would be posted to the same units.
Dispatch from London Passenger Transport Board Drivers in Arnhem (1944-09-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Flying planes over Arnhem "far from Busman's holiday"
Working as a team, 3 LTPB bus drivers drop food, ammunition and petrol to comrades whilst being bombarded with bullets
"TEAM-WORK"
The 3 bus drivers: Lance Corporal J. E. Wells, Sidcup Garage; Lance Corporal G. F. Warman, Mortlake; and Driver A. E Thomas, Catford
Some roles were carried out in more solitary conditions. In a letter written to Pennyfare in 1944, Conductor at Sutton Garage J. M. Nevin uses his own resources and initiative to navigate torn, twisted shipwrecks as a diver in the navy.
"The chief impression is utter loneliness. You need to tread warily. I talked to myself, considering each movement before acting, and I came through my first attempt very well.”
Members of staff drafted into the Army Catering Corps made sure troops were fed, sending hot cakes to hungry soldiers and overseeing civilians prepare food for soldiers at allied leave hotels.
5,000 Tummies Contented is a Headache for Someone (1945-10-01)TfL Corporate Archives
Tummies to Feed
1 conductor from New Cross was tasked with feeding up to 7,000 soldiers of various ethnicity where different diets had to be considered
Food preparation for allied troops
Sergeant A.G. Ireland, was responsible for overseeing civilians prepare food for all 24 allied leave hotels in Blankenberghe, Belgium
By the end of the war, 699 serving members of staff were killed in action or died on active service and 582 were reported as having been made prisoner of war.
Of these, 413 were known to have been liberated by the end of 1945, and 126 had resumed duty with the company by 1946.
See our other stories for more information on Overseas Honours and Awards in WWII and The Cockleshell Hero
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.
This story has been enhanced using some material from the London Transport Museum Collection. All enquiries regarding this material should be made directly to that institution.
