Beckton Street Surgery 15.6.25

 

Busy day yesterday. I took part in some interviews in the morning then joined Cllr Blossom Young and Cllr Rohima Rahman with some new campaigners in Beckton ward, Newham London. Cllr Tonii Wilson, the 3rd Beckton ward Councillor was unable to join the team on this occasion. 

Beckton is a huge ward with lots of parkland and low rise properties. Our role was to knock on doors and explain to residents that we were from the local Labour Party and were out today with their local Councillors to see if they would like to speak to them about any problems or issues and also advise them about the advice surgeries that take place in the ward every Saturday. 

It was a glorious warm, sunny day and many people were obviously out but we did speak to a number of residents and picked up a lot of case work for the Councillors to follow up on. 

It was for me a pleasure to see how many residents knew Blossom and Rohima, and were pleased to see them and to have a friendly chat. I met up with a former now retired colleague from Tower Hamlets Council (a Unite convenor) and we had a very good discussion about local issues and problems as well as reminiscing about past work colleagues. 

Obviously, not every single resident was that pleased to see us but the overwhelming reaction was very, very positive. 

I was leading the group using the Labour Party Doorstep phone app but was very grateful that that local Councillors were with me since Beckton is somewhat "complicated" to navigate around. 

The two new campaigners (who live in the ward) had been fully briefed by Blossom on what to do and what to expect. They watched us knocking on doors and chatting to residents, and then in a little while, when they felt comfortable, they were more than happy to knock and chat by themselves. They were both naturals. 

After the street surgery I cycled home then that evening I joined many others helping to celebrate the wedding of the daughter of a fellow Councillor (and personal friend). A simply lovely family event and a marvellous ending to a great day. 

Canvassing David Lee Point & Remembering Gunner John Henry Carlile

This afternoon it was raining so we decided to canvass the tower block, David Lee Point in Leather Gardens, West Ham ward.

In the block lives one of our oldest Labour Party members, Gerry Carlile (see picture top right in white shirt).

Gerry invited us in for a rest and a chat. On his wall is the picture of his elder brother John (see left) who was killed in action during the Second World War. He had volunteered to serve as a Gunner on a merchant ship which was later sunk by a German U-Boat in the brutal "Battle of the Atlantic". Below is the stark details on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website.

"CARLILE, Gunner, JOHN HENRY, 1797607. 3/2 Maritime Regt. Royal Artillery. 7th December 1942. Age 21. Son of John Henry and Margarett Cathrine Carlile, of Stratford, Essex".

I believe that John was on the SS. Peter Maresk, which was sunk during 7 December with the loss of all 67 crew. On that same day at least 3 other ships were sunk with a total loss of another 751 lives. I think only 4 men survived.

I imagine that on walls and mantlepieces, up and down the country, there are similar photos surrounded by red poppies. Over 800 lives were lost on that day in just one part of the War. A sobering thought.

Tomorrow, I will be paying my respects and remembering John and the millions of others who lost their lives defending our country. If you live in Newham Click here for details of the commemorations taking place tomorrow.