Albert Head

Albert, "Bert", was born at Alma Street, Cradley on 29th May, 1892. He was the sixth of eight sons of Henry Head, an ironworker, and his wife Amelia (nee Hodgetts). Amelia died when she was in her thirties, during the First World War, leaving Henry to raise his eight sons alone.

Bert was educated at High Town Ragged Sunday School and later the British Day School, a Baptist foundation in Cradley. His first job on leaving school at 13, was blowing the bellows in Dunn's chain shop at Lyde Green, Cradley. This was the start of Bert's chainmaking apprenticeship. From Dunn's he moved to J.G.Walker and Sons Ltd. at Old Hill, and later worked for J. Wright and Company Ltd. in Tipton, before becoming General Secretary of his union in 1933. Whilst working at Walker and Sons he acted as factory secretary for twelve years, and was elected onto the executive council of the Union. In 1927, Bert married, and he and his dressmaker wife, Gladys, built their own home, which they called "Homelea", at Two Gates, Cradley.

Bert took over as Secretary of the C.M.S.A. at a very difficult and potentially embarrassing time for the Union. The former General Secretary, Mr. Charles Sitch, had been suspended following his arrest for stealing the union's funds. He would later be sentenced to nine months in prison. According to Bert's wife, he would often pace up and down the bedroon, at night, worrying about how the Union would survive. Bert, who had originally been appointed Secretary on a temporary basis, was finally made full time Secretary, after polling more votes than the other three candidates combined.

In an attempt to rebuild confidence in the Union, Bert took it upon himself to visit as many members as he could, which meant visiting all the factories in the industry. He personally examined every factory secretary's book and every member's contribution card, before they went to the auditors. He was prudent with funds, saving money wherever he could. If a letter could be delivered rather than posted, Bert would deliver it by hand.

Bert's style of leadership proved effective and by the time the Union came to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 1939, its recovery was largely complete. On July 16th, Union members and their families held the Golden Jubilee celebration in Chester, the place where the Union was founded. Bert proudly led the Cradley Heath contingent. 26 coaches left the Cradley Heath Workers' Institute on that day.

During the Second World War, membership of the Union increased. Chainmaking was a scheduled occupation, so those working in the trade were exempt from military service. The growth of mechanisation in the industry, which had been hovering in the background since the 1900s, eventually undermined the Union's position. By the mid-seventies, membership had fallen to less than 200. With hand made chain all but extinct, it was decided to dissolve the Association. This took effect on 31st December 1977. Bert remained the General Secretary until the very end, by which time he was the oldest person in the country to hold such a position, and had the longest record of service as a trade union officer.

In addition to his Union duties, Bert held an enviable record of public service. In 1958 he was awarded the M.B.E. in recognition of his public works. His son, Albert, recalls how the family sat next to the actor, Jack Hawkins, as they watched their father collect his award. Afterwards Bert told them that Her Majesty had commented, "You may be small in stature, (Bert was just over five feet tall), but you have done remarkable work."

Bert was a man of deep religious conviction. He often stepped in for the preacher at his local chapel, and held the post of President of the Christian Endeavour Society. A good singer, Bert was President of the Cradley Heath Male Voice Choir, and he counted poultry-keeping and gardening, among his hobbies.

Bert died at home on 15th February 1978, only weeks after the C.M.S.A was dissolved. He was eighty-five. He was survived by his wife, Gladys, and only son, Benjamin Albert Head. His funeral at Stourbridge Crematorium was attended by hundreds of local people, and nearly all of the surviving members of the Union.

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Updated:	Thu 12 Jul 2007 - 1
Interpretation written by	Barbara Harris
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