WWI: The TOT (Trains, Omnibus, Trams) Fund
The wives, children, and other dependents of the men who went to war numbered about 12,000 and for these, the TOT Mutual Aid Fund was promptly organised to provide assistance
Where the money comes from (1914-09-12)TfL Corporate Archives
Where The Money Came From
Employees contributed a weekly subscription according to their means, which was match funded by the organisation. The total collected as at September 1914, £453, is the equivalent of over £38,000 in 2024
New scale of grants (1914-10-31)TfL Corporate Archives
New Scale of Grants
Over £250,000 (c.£21 million at 2024 values) was paid to the dependents of those serving overseas, while Christmas entertainments and summer outings were freely provided for wives and children
Employees subscriptions (1914-11-07)TfL Corporate Archives
Table of Employees Subscriptions
The format and method of displaying contribution totals was clearly intended to encourage more support from sections of the organisation that were not contributing as much proportionately as others!
In the early days, subscriptions remained fairly steady, with 4 out of 5 staff subscribing. By February 1916, however, it was reported that this had fallen. A push was made to convince new members of staff to sign up, reminding them that they owed their jobs to the absence of employees off fighting and that the aim was to build up a surplus that could be used to assist cases of permanent disablement and other deserving claims once the war was over.
Diagram of Income and Payments of the Fund up to Dec 1916
The push clearly worked as from March 1916, subscriptions began steadily climbing again. By December 1916, over £109,000 had been collected (equivalent to c.£8 million in 2024), and over £107,000 of this had been distributed to dependents
Visits to investigate cases and arrange help needed was done by representatives elected at each garage and depot, in addition to the company Executive Committee. Those who felt unable to wait could write to or telephone the Fund secretary.
"Not a single days hardship ought to be suffered by those left behind when the bread winner is suddenly called to arms...it was accepted as a non-stop duty to look after their wives and children without delay." TOT magazine, September 1914
A prudent wife (1916-03-31)TfL Corporate Archives
The gratitude of those serving and their families left behind was regularly expressed in the magazine. Here, a wife calls the Fund's aid a "true God-send"
Letter extracts from the staff magazine in which dependents of staff serving overseas give thanks to the company for the support and entertainment they've received whilst their loved ones are serving overseas
Christmas in Salonika (1916-03-31)TfL Corporate Archives
Gratitude from Salonika
Letter from Private Fenn expressing thanks for the entertainments and support being provided to soldiers' families
The largest number of subscribers at any one time was 26,610 and the highest weekly total of staff subscriptions was £595, which the company matched to make £1,355 for the week. The heaviest pay out month was October 1914, and the largest number of claims was 5,448 in June 1917.
Christmas entertainments for the children as well as other dependents of those serving overseas quickly became a fixture of the TOT Fund and whilst the Fund covered costs those involved in the organisation and staffing of the events gave their time free of charge. The first children's Christmas party was held on December 15th 1914.
Christmas Trees
Article giving a summarised statement of the entertainments given by the company to dependents and others during the Christmas season of 1914
Dependents concert (1914-12-21)TfL Corporate Archives
Dependents' Concert
Photograph of the audience at a dependents concert held at Lambeth baths in 1914
Christmas entertainments (1914-12-12)TfL Corporate Archives
Christmas Entertainments 1914
"A list of future events is given below, on each occasion the guests are given a plentiful meal, a bright entertainment, and a present for every child."
Summer Outings
Summer outings were also provided but in 1917 had to be abandoned due to national food and fuel shortages
Quite early on in the war it was decided by the YMCA and the TOT jointly to provide a meeting place for men of the company in France. This was first mentioned in the London General Omnibus Company minute book on 4 January 1915. The company paid £450 (over £38,000 in 2024) for the capital cost of the hut, and also provided 10 guineas (c.£853 in 2024) per week to the Restaurant Club in Rouen until the hut was completed.
The TOT Hut
Photographs showing staff members taking part in a sports day at the TOT hut in Rouen, France in 1915
Minute regarding the Trains Omnibus Trams staff hut in France (1915-01-14)TfL Corporate Archives
Minute regarding the TOT staff hut in France
Detailing the contribution from the TOT fund to a YMCA hut in France for the use of London General Omnibus Company staff
The TOT hut in France (1915-06-30)TfL Corporate Archives
Article regarding activities at the TOT hut
"...we had one of the most successful athletics meetings which I have ever seen."
What To Do With £20,000
Come April 1921, when all cases had closed, there remained a surplus of £20,000 in the Fund (c.£805,000 in 2024)
After much deliberation it was decided in October 1922 to retain the surplus in a Fund and recommence the TOT Mutual Aid Fund as the TOT Benevolent Fund. Subscription was 1d a week and once again was match funded by the company.
"...whenever any employee who is a member...is in trouble and wants advice or assistance...for himself or for his dependents, the Fund will be able to help him shoulder the burden.
...the widows and orphans of our fellow workers who died for Liberty, and the men who were disabled in the fighting...will be given special consideration."
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.
