Liam Scanlon
Edward William Scanlon known as Liam was born into great poverty in Dublin, Ireland on 30th January 1935, Liam's early years were spent in the slums of
He was for many years active in the Electrician
Liam was notoriously arrested supporting the St Pancras tenants fight against rent rises in the 1960s; we can say `notoriously’ since he was featured in a negative way on the front page of the Daily Mirror, a feat that caused a great deal of comment on the left at the time.
He initially lodged with an Indian family in
Liam was later employed at the Royal Star & Garter Home, Richmond, London, which catered for ex-military personnel. While at the Royal Star & Garter, he met and married his second wife Ann Pearman, current UNISON branch chair.
During his time there, Liam became the well-respected and feared (by management, of course) NUPE branch secretary. He famously once led a walk out of staff but, after seventeen years, was forced to retire due to ill health.
He later worked as a security guard at a factory in Mortlake, where he was involved in a strike.
Despite Liam's rather fearful reputation, he was much loved by the members of his union and his friends. Heavily involved in teaching marital arts at
Liam Scanlon died in Princess Alice Hospice,
Michael Walker
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