Papers of Alfred Best (1892-1987), trade unionist

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Reference number	BES
Date	1919-1976
Level	Collection
Description	Correspondence files, 1919-61; papers of related organisations, 1920-76; some subject files, 1926-71; tape-recording of reminiscences of Alfred A. Best, vice-chairman of NAULAW, 1976.
Extent	12 boxes
Admin history	Born in 1892, Best first took up insurance work in 1914. After a period of war service, he joined the National Amalgamated Union of Life Assurance Workers in 1919. He first held the position of secretary and later chairman of Ilford branch, and in 1922 became secretary of the London District Council. Subsequently, he held the positions of LDC Treasurer and Chairman. Best later became a member of the NAULAW General Executive Council, from 1929-1951, was elected Vice-Chairman for 15 years and became acting President. Away from the Union, Best was also Chairman of the Public Relations Committee of the British Association for the Hard of Hearing. He died in 1987.
Access status	Open
Related material	The Centre also holds the main NAULAW archive and the records of NAULAW officials S.P. Long (MSS.142), Frank Crump (MSS.144), Albert Vandome (MSS.158) and George W. Vandome (MSS.166).

2 files of correspondence of the National Amalgamated Union of Life Assurance Workers (NAULAW) 2 files of correspondence of the National Amalgamated Union of Life Assurance Workers (NAULAW), resulting from A. Best's activities with the union 2 files of correspondence of the National Amalgamated Union of Life Assurance Workers (NAULAW), especially regarding the work of A. Best Insurance Unions' Joint Consultative Committee: minutes of meetings and related correspondence London and Manchester Assurance Company Ltd, Staffs Benevolent Association London and Manchester Assurance Company Ltd: file of cuttings and reports on the company 'The London and Manchester Magazine', 1 (1) - 6 (5) National Amalgamated Union of Life Assurance Workers (NAULAW): cuttings / articles about the nationalisation of insurance, with a bibliography Correspondence about the Kennet Committee on release on workers for war service National Amalgamated Union of Life Assurance Workers (NAULAW): supplementary notes in reference to the memorandum submitted to the 'holidays with pay' committee [Some] minutes of evidence taken before the Departmental Committee appointed by the Board of Trade to inquire and report what amendments are desireable in the Assurance Companies Act, HMSO, 1909 Committee on Compulsory Insurance Minutes of evidence before the Departmental Committee appointed by the Treasury on industrial assurance and assurance on the lives of children under 10 years of age, HMSO, 1931-2 Press cuttings, pamphlets, etc., on pensions HM Stationery Office publications, etc. HM Stationery Office publications, etc. Seven files of correspondence, reports, minutes, etc. on the question of nationalisation of assurance Three files of correspondence, printed items, reports and notes for speeches about co-ordination and competition between insurance workers' organisations, the Insurance Workers' Congress, Trades Union Congress (TUC) affiliation Correspondence, reports, etc., about the Beveridge Committee's report and insurance workers A. Wilson and H. Levy, 'Industrial Assurance: an historical and critical study', Oxford University Press A. A. Best: tape recorded interview