Executing the Plan

1964 – 1974

“Feeling blessed on my born day as I continue to share my journey.”

My first day

The day I landed in the UK at London Airport, now known as Heathrow.

After a long an interesting coach journey from the airport, criss crossing London to drop off other bus conductors. We experienced quite a few weather changes, sun, rain, fog, hail stones and sun before I arrived at my first home 343 Romford Road, a bed and breakfast in East London.

3 weeks in Forest Gate

My 3 weeks spent at 343 Romford Road Forest Gate was an interesting period…
Five of us lived in the front right bay room, the bath tub was out of bounds and we used the local public baths, no visitors allowed and breakfast prepared the night before to accommodate those starting early shifts. A boiled egg, two slices of toast and a flask of tea.

Coming to terms with the food was challenging since it was not well presented or seasoned, not even a bit of herbs or a little pepper. It felt the same when I tried the only fast food at the time fish and chips! I also found it unhygienic as it was served wrapped in newspaper!

London was still getting over the war. There were many bombed out buildings, clocks everywhere and the population getting over war rationing. Plus people were developing new life styles, especially younger people. We brought new fashion, dance, food, music and other areas of our culture to an otherwise grey landscape.

On the buses

Adjusting to being a conductor at Bow garage was quite an experience, working on the number 25s, 32, 8, 8a and the 26s helped me to know London quickly. I met some nice people and some who can be described as hostile or even worse but it was part of the job.

I was not accustomed to shift work and coming to terms that you were expected to go to work in all weather conditions was strange. In Barbados heavy rain was an acceptable excuse to stay home! Furthermore, I was now having to go work during heavy snow showers and even the fog was a shocker.

Photo of my conductor badge and money bag which was used to pay in the money after a shift. Along with one of my regular routes the 25, which still runs today.

‘Fares, please. Any more Fares please, thank you’

This was my mantra as a conductor, running up and down the stairs while making sure I did not miss anyone or issue an incorrect ticket.

Making a mistake or not collecting a fare was always a concern as inspectors regularly checked the buses and if reported you will find yourself in front of the garage manager. Smoking was allowed upstairs on the buses and during the rush hours it was far from healthy to spend too long upstairs. Sports grounds were common at the time and every garage had sports teams. We helped our garages compete and winning competitions especially at cricket. My forte was athletics and I collected a few medals as a sprinter.
There was a noticeable change in canteen meals when West Indian women were employed as cooks, even Friday fish and chips became popular for us as they gave it some seasoning!

After a year conducting, I got the opportunity to be trained as a driver and successfully got my public service vehicle licence.

Public service vehicle licence.

Moving to Bow- I got a room in Appian road now a block of flats, which was walking distance from the garage. On an early shift I saw a house on fire, woke up the family, ran to the fire station, raised the alarm and continued to work. On my return all the family came over and thanked me for my action. I was treated as a hero and the local pub and chip shop never allowed me to pay for my purchases it was also written up in the local press.

The garage had a strong trade union membership and the first Jamaican conductor who went to the garage in the 1950s had the busmen walking out in protest. The union saw us as cheap labour while they were negotiating for better wages and working conditions. Depending on the shift and overtime my wages were between £6.00 to £9.00 a week in the beginning and increased after I became a driver. On the other hand, it was a great opportunity to get on with the plan and send back a little money to the family, the exchange rate at the time four Barbadian dollars and eighty cents to the Pound sterling which was a great help not only to our families but a much-needed source of foreign exchange for Caribbean governments.

The Transport general workers Union building in Stratford Westham Lane where I attended my first union meeting in 1965/66. TGWU was the biggest union at the time and helped me to understand the historical challenges of working people especially in the East End.

Culture shock

The culture shock has been well documented in books and many TV programmes and was also part of my early London experience. Being called names, spat at, curiosity as to whether I had a tail like a monkey, being chased by skinheads. Language was also a problem as we had difficulties understanding each other.

On the reverse I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw white people, begging and picking up cigarette butts to smoke it was just unbelievable. The fondness of dogs was also strange plus other behaviour I was not accustomed to. The first Sunday spent in London I saw many white people dressed up in their suits and I wondered where they were going? I thought it was church, but to my surprise it was the pub!

I later joined them as it became an important meeting place for us. One of the many things that puzzled me was why so many white busmen were leaving the job including my first driver Brian, he taught me a lot about British East End life, we got on well I was puzzled when he migrated to Australia like so many busmen who were leaving every week for a better life in the commonwealth. This photo captures it well,

I joined the British Army Royal Green Jackets Army Reserves and here is a photo in my no 1 dress after returning from the Cenotaph parade in 1967.

L/cpl Cumberbatch with his section on exercise at Sennybridge Training camp South Wales. My friend and fellow Bajan 2nd from left (squatting) the late Keith Springer RIP.

After leaving London Transport I worked at the Royal Mint as a chauffeur to Sir Jack James the Govornor of the Mint

Community

Returning to Newham in 1966/67 I got involved with the community through my membership of Park Ward Newham North West Labour party branch. Through the support of councillors like Abe Wolfe and Ken Palmer in particular directed me to community work.

I became a member of Newham Community council and sat on the youth sub committee as a voice for young Black Youth who just wanted a safe space to enjoy themselves and avoid harassment from the Authorities.

Photo of Angel Lane in Stratford and of my first record bought to play on my radiogram at the market there in 1967. This was the start of my large collection of long-playing records which I regularly shared with friends.

Challenging times

Returned to mechanical engineering and started a course at Poplar College

Started working at Fords Foundry in 1969 and spent 3 years there. Speaking with a work mate Eddie Hinds recently he wondered how we are still alive after the job we used to do. Filling mullers with asbestos and other dangerous chemicals which are now banned.

The beginning of the 70s was a challenging time. I gave up a lucrative job at Fords to avoid shift work, and ventured into self employment as a book saleman selling Ecyclopedia Britanica door to door, also World books and Miracle maid pots. Did a spell as a mini cab driver which was also an interesting experience.

The 1960s and 70s Black Power Movement plus the anti colonial wars created a conciousnes which I did not have before. As a young person being called Black was insulting and we preferred to answer to Negro or coloured. Being Black now used as a political term was helpful in my decolonisation process.