QUIET FLOWS THE DON

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2021 :: RMTnews 15 After 68 years of service, Waterloo-based RMT member Don Buckley is finally retiring from the railway. Following his formal retirement in 2004 at 65, Don had been working three shifts per week for South Western Railway providing assistance to visually impaired and disabled passengers at Waterloo station. Don joined the railways in 1953 at just 14 years of age and has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his services to London Waterloo and the railway. At 82 years old, Don has been working at London Waterloo for almost seven decades. Most recently, providing unrivalled London knowledge to passengers needing directions around the city. Don, who was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Rail Business Awards two years ago, was given an official send-off at an event at Waterloo station last month. Don started working at London Waterloo by coincidence. When he was 14 years old, he travelled from County Kerry, Ireland, jumped in a taxi and asked the driver to take him to “the big station in London”, expecting to be taken to Euston, but subsequently arrived at Waterloo. Too young to be working on the trains, Don started his career as a station message boy and remains working at “the big station” today, 68 years later. Throughout his years of service, Don witnessed the last steam train leave Waterloo in 1967, a cinema in the station which was in operation up until 1970, the great train robber Buster Edwards setting up a flower stall outside following his release from jail in 1975 and scenes from Skyfall and the Bourne Ultimatum being filmed. Commenting on his years in service Don Buckley said: “I have loved working at Waterloo for all these years. The station may have changed a lot since the 1950s, but it’s still such a special place and I feel so lucky to have had so many wonderful experiences working here. “The people are what make the station special and I will miss my colleagues and customers immensely. While all good things come to an end, Waterloo will always have a very special place in my heart,” he said. QUIET FLOWS THE DON Britain’s longest serving railway worker Don Buckley waves goodbye to Waterloo station