BADGE AWARD/OBITUARY

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: september 2016 :: RMTnews 29 D avid Alan Roberts, known as Dar, was presented with his 40-year service award recently. Alan is a member of the North Wales Coast branch and was presented with his 40 Year Badge and Medal by branch member Paul Wild. Alan started on the railway in 1976 and in 1981 qualified signalman to work boxes. His first job was a Class 1 based at Colwyn Baybefore being upgraded to a Class 2 covering Class A and B boxes – the two lowest in the signalling grades. The area covered was Colwyn Bay, Llysfaen, Abergele, Rhyl No2, Rhyl No1, Prestatyn, Deganwy, Llandudno, Penmaenmawr, Aber and Llanrwst and Alan carried on doing the same relief job for the next nine years until a vacancy appeared at Llandudno Junction in March 1990. By this time British Rail was disappearing and making way to Regional Railways North West. This was a Class C; the only other Class C box on the coast at the time was Holyhead. He stayed there for 18 months before applying for a Class 3 RDR Signalman at Llandudno Junction. After privatisation he became a GPR Class 3 based at Llandudno Junction covering boxes 15 miles radius from Llandudno Junction covering an area between Abergele and Penmaenmawr, Llandudno to Llanrwst. In 1999 Railtrack he extended his coverage from 15 to 30 miles and he had the boxes at Rhyl, Prestatyn and Bangor back on his patch. Additionally He gained five new boxes and crossings and they were Tyn-y- Morfa Crossing, Talacre, Mostyn, Llanfair PG Crossing and Gaerwen where he loyally remains to this day. R amona Martenstyn, a bus driver and loyal RMT member of this branch lost her fight with cancer in June this year aged 56, she will be sadly missed by all and our condolences go out to her partner and family, rest in peace. John Williams recently retired as a guard at 62 through ill health from South West Trains. His retirement party was well-attended by family friends, comrades and retired members. John had been a local health and safety representative at Wimbledon Park for many years. He quietly went about his business, recruiting members at "The Park" and because of him membership is in the best of health. John was an active member of the branch and assistant chair until his retirement. He was also an avid Crystal Palace supporter and was his request that people wear these colours rather than black and white at his funeral. John's preferred Charity is PDSA. https://www.pdsa.org.uk/ Obituaries WIMBLEDON BRANCH PAYS RESPECT TO TWO MEMBERS WATERLOO BRANCH NOMINATES RICKEY GOODMAN FOR NEC WESSEX REGION DOVER DISTRICT GENERAL GRADES BRANCH NOMINATE PAUL MCDONNELL FOR REGIONAL ORGANISER SOUTH WIMBLEDON 1685 BRANCH NOMINATE PAUL MCDONNELL FOR RELIEF REGIONAL ORGANISER SOUTH SURREY AND HANTS BRANCH NOMINATE G KITE FOR NEC WESSEX REGION PORTSMOUTH BRANCH NOMINATE GEOFF KITE FOR NEC MEMBER PORTSMOUTH BRANCH NOMINATE PAUL MCDONNELL FOR RELIEF REGIONAL ORGANISER SOUTH NORTH WALES 40-YEAR AWARD