In 1919, Bowen moved to London to take up the role of treasurer of the Postmen's Federation. In this post, he was involved in negotiating the merger of various unions to form the Union of Post Office Workers, and was elected as its first general secretary. He also served on the General Council of the Trades Union Congress and was on the council of Ruskin College for many years, becoming its chairman in 1948.[1]
Bowen stood down as secretary of the Post Office Workers in 1936, and was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire three years later.[2] In 1940, he was elected to London County Council for Wandsworth Central. He lost the seat in 1949, but despite no longer being a member of the council, the Labour group ensured his election as the council's Chair. He served in the position for three years, winning an aldermanic seat in 1951 to remain on the council after his time as chair finished.[1] He was knighted in the 1953 Coronation Honours List, and remained on the council until 1961.[2]
References
^ abc"Obituary: Sir William Bowen", The Times, 2 April 1965
^ abcdMichael Stenton and Stephen Lees, Who's Who of British Members of Parliament, vol.3, p.37