Special train for Newhaven dockworkers during the First World War
It ran daily from Brighton, picking up at Lewes. It was known locally as the Lousy Lou.
By Jenny Flood and Keith Grieves for Newhaven Council’s website:
“The average number of dock workers, required each day at the port during the war, was 2,500.
They were split into three 8-hour shifts. The work was carried out 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
A special train, for the workers, was run daily from Brighton, picking up at Lewes. It was known
locally as the Lousy Lou.
A free hot meal was provided each day for all the workers and a dining hall was constructed, using
old railway carriages for the walls and tarpaulin for the roof. Two long tables were placed in the
middle, with extra tables in the carriages, enabling 350 people to be fed at each sitting.
As the war progressed and hardships were felt on the Home Front, the temptation of Government
food and alcohol, bound for the troops in France, sometimes proved too much. All workers were
liable to be searched when leaving the docks. Anyone found with Government stores concealed
on their person, was arrested. Arrests were made for the possession of sugar, jam, cheese, pickle,
cigarettes and alcohol.
The work was not without its dangers. With so many men working on unfamiliar ships, accidents
happened. Examples included men falling down the hold, or in between the ship and the quayside.
Some of these accidents proved fatal.”
Jenny Flood / Keith Grieves / Newhaven Council
