[1][2] John Ward had been attempting to found a similar organisation in Battersea, and in May 1890 he was persuaded to join the new union, winning election in June as its first president.
The union gradually spread across England and South Wales, developing particular strength in the port at Barry.
[2] In 1897, Ward and Humphrey both resigned, in protest at the union's London-based executive refusing to increase their travel allowances.
He was elected as the union's general secretary, and moved the headquarters to Barry,[3] although he returned them to London two years later.
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