A Workforce for All - The Kings National Roll 1919-1938

WWI returned nearly 2 million men to Britain with some form of disability. Over 40,000 were amputees like Trafalgar Square ticket collector W Lawrence 

Some had facial disfigurements or had been blinded. Others had lung conditions or breathing difficulties as a result of poison gas, like WH Davies of Oxford Circus

Thousands of men returned with "neurasthenia," (a condition explained as a general weakness of the nerves, fatigue, anxiety or a depressed mode), or "shell shock," now referred to as post traumatic stress disorder

Among those were 49 year old guard TC Camfield, demobilised from the Army following several long periods of neurasthenia, and conductor HG Brown whose letter home in 1916 follows

Letter written by ex conductor HG Brown and published in the staff magazine. He explains how he left hospital after suffering from neurasthenia and is no longer physically fit for service (in the colours), but has returned to work as an assistant storeman

WE , having learned that many men returned from Service with Our Navy, Armies and Air Forces, disabled whether by wounds or physical afflictions, have not yet found a permanent means of livelihood,

and being persuaded that it is a dear obligation upon all who, not least through the endeavours of these men, under the mercy of Almighty God, enjoy the blessing of victorious peace      

The scheme was certified and enrolled employers could use and publish the "Seal of Honour."   

To qualify, employers were required to hire a 5% quota of disabled ex-servicemen. To meet this target, female staff were often the first to be asked to step aside - as shown in these minutes of the East Surrey Traction Company from January 1920

"Resolved that women conductors be discharged ... the Director's fully appreciate their efficient services... and have come to this decision with regret, but have felt it their duty to consider the claims of numerous disabled soldiers for positions as conductors."

This memorandum from April 1938 outlines the increasing difficulty the London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) were having in achieving the target

Figures for 1936 and 1938 show that the percentage of disabled ex-servicemen to total staff went down from 4.96% to 3.68%. To achieve 1936 certification, the Ministry of Labour had agreed that the figure could be achieved by comparing to male staff over the age of 21

By 1938 they were applying for certification on the understanding that the age requirements for staff to work on the railway meant that WWI veterans would be too old, therefore front line railway roles could be exempt from the calculation