Ernest Albert George Spanswick (2 October 1919 – 27 April 1983) was a

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

trade unionist A trade union (British English) or labor union (American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers whose purpose is to maintain or improve the conditions of their employment, such as attaining better wages ...

. Born in

Parkstone Parkstone is an area of Poole, in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole district, in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. It is divided into 'Lower' and 'Upper' Parkstone. Upper Parkstone – "Up-on-'ill" as it used to be known in ...

, Spanswick served with the

Royal Army Medical Corps The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) was a specialist corps in the British Army which provided medical services to all Army personnel and their families, in war and in peace. On 15 November 2024, the corps was amalgamated with the Royal Army De ...

during

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. After the war, he qualified as a State Registered Nurse and a Registered Mental Nurse."Health workers' leader who inspired respect", ''

The Observer ''The Observer'' is a British newspaper published on Sundays. First published in 1791, it is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper. In 1993 it was acquired by Guardian Media Group Limited, and operated as a sister paper to ''The Guardian'' ...

'', 28 April 1983 He also joined the

Confederation of Health Service Employees The Confederation of Health Service Employees (COHSE) was a United Kingdom trade union representing workers primarily in the National Health Service. History The union was founded in 1946 with the merger of the Mental Hospital and Institutional ...

(COHSE). In 1959, he began working full-time for the union, as its Northern Regional Officer. Three years later, he was promoted to become National Officer, then became Assistant General Secretary in 1969.Spanswick, (Ernest) Albert (George)
, ''

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'' Spanswick was elected as General Secretary of COHSE, taking over in 1974. In 1977, he was elected to the

General Council of the Trades Union Congress The General Council of the Trades Union Congress is an elected body which is responsible for carrying out the policies agreed at the annual British Trades Union Congresses (TUC). Organisation The council has 56 members, all of whom must be proposed ...

(TUC), and also became chair of its Health Services Committee. Associated with the right wing of the trade union movement, he was known as a poor public speaker who often made gaffes, but became a prominent public figure during a year-long pay dispute. Spanswick was due to retire in October 1983, but he died suddenly in April.

References

1919 births 1983 deaths General secretaries of the Confederation of Health Service Employees Members of the General Council of the Trades Union Congress People from Parkstone Royal Army Medical Corps soldiers British Army personnel of World War II Military personnel from Dorset {{UK-trade-unionist-bio-stub