Alexander Walkden, 1st Baron Walkden

His immediate predecessor, John Stopford Challener, had absconded with most of the union's money—a crime which was only discovered after he committed suicide in Paris.

In his period of office he was also influential in the creation of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF).

When the union built its new headquarters building adjacent to London's Euston railway station in the 1960s, it was named Walkden House in his honour.

[1] Although seriously ill for much of the 1929–1931 Parliament, Walkden was active in pressing for legislation to create London Transport, a long-time policy of the union.

[2] He then served under Clement Attlee as Captain of the Yeomen of the Guard (Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Lords) from 1945 until 1949.