June 11, 2001 12:30: Growing up in a small Scottish town and a family history steeped in struggle, Andrew Dodds had a long journey in trade unionism and almost made it to the top. His story is contained in his book, Almost. ANDRE ERASMUS has a look at this Orpington man's life as a trade unionist.

IT IS a long journey from the footplate of a Scottish-based steam engine to facing thousands of unionists on stage in Brighton as the acting general secretary of the National Union of Railwaymen (NUR).

But for Andrew Dodds, born in 1926, retired in 1991 and now living in Orpington, Kent, it was a fruitful if, at times, frustrating trip.

His story is a fascinating look at growing up in poverty-stricken pre-war Scotland, the emergence of trade unionism in the railways and a chronicle of how life has changed for so many in such a relatively short time.

From a part-time pit worker on the mines at the age of 11 (he eventually left school at age 14) he progressed to working on a farm for £1.50 a week and then for the railways at a weekly wage of £3 by the time he was 16.

By 23, he was the youngest qualified engine driver and, in the same year, he became branch secretary for the National Union of Railwaymen in Muirkirk the first step on a long journey which almost took him to the top of the national trade union some 38 years later.

At the same time, he joined the Labour Party and was active in the Labour movement.

In 1954 Mr Dodds was made redundant, moved to Hurlford, continued his union work and, from there, to an administrative job in the union's headquarters in London.

Immediately prior to this he was elected to the Kilmarnock council as a Labour Party candidate, attending one meeting before moving to London in 1960. This was the briefest length of service by a councillor.

In 1966 he was voted in as a union organiser and, by 1975, he was a national officer for the NUR.

In 1981 Mr Dodds was elected to the post of assistant general secretary with one of the highest majorities ever. He was also elected to the Labour Party national executive for 10 years, until his retirement in 1991.

For Andrew Dodds, the youngest of four brothers (there was also an adopted brother) and also just senior to his three sisters, life was not easy in Scotland during his childhood.

The book recounts the harsh early days in Scotland where brothers shared beds, tragedies in the mines involving his father and brothers, his father's death in a boating accident while in the merchant navy during the Second World War and, later having survived many hardships in her lifetime, his mother's death in 1963.

But, more importantly, the book covers the role of trade unions in this country and the role Andrew Dodds played despite ongoing hardships in his life.

But, he felt, the union was more important and he helped in the fight between unionism and the then Tory government.

The book recounts the miners' strike of the early 1980s, the battles with the tough anti-Union legislation of the Thatcher government, his respect for Neil Kinnock as leader of the Labour Party a man Mr Dodds felt was a natural leader.

l Almost, by Andrew Dodds, is published by Minerva and retails for £11.99 in paperback.

History Briefs

ENGLISH HISTORY: The Magna Carta was signed on June 15, 1215; the Falklands War ended on June 14, 1982; on June 13, 1842, Queen Victoria became the first British monarch to travel by train and, on June 12, 1987, Margaret Thatcher was elected for a third term.

WORLD EVENTS: On June 12, 1667, a 15-year-old French boy became the first to have a blood transfusion, when lamb's blood was used to cure his fever. On June 13, 1789, George Washington became the first US President to taste ice cream and, on June 16, 1903, the Ford Motor Company was established.

BORN THIS WEEK: Artist John Constable (June 11, 1776), author Charles Kingsley (June 12, 1819), former prime minister Anthony Eden (June 12, 1897), poet WB Yeats (June 13, 1897), actor Malcolm McDowell (June 13, 1943), film-maker Sam Wanamaker (June 14, 1919) and Paul O'Grady aka Lily Savage (June 13, 1955).

DIED THIS WEEK: Holiday entrepeneur Billy Butlin (June 12, 1980), Andy Capp creator Reg Smythe (June 13, 1998), women's rights campaigner Emmeline Pankhurst (June 14, 1928), racing driver James Hunt (June 15, 1993).

POP TRIVIA: Forty years ago, Elvis Presley was top of the charts with I Surrender and Boy George was born. Dawn's Knock Three Times was number one 30 years ago and 20 years ago, Smokey Robinson topped with Being With You.