Sir Harold Clapp at the launch of B60 in 1952
The Rotary Club of Melbourne’s first Vice President was Harold Winthrop Clapp accepting that role in early 1921.
Harold was born on the 7th. May 1875 in St. Kilda the son of Cobb and Co. coach owner and operator Francis and Isabella Clapp. He was educated at Brighton Grammar and Melbourne Church of England Grammar School. At the age of 25 Harold left for the United States of America obtaining work in a few companies that were at the world’s leading edge of the electrification of railroads. He returned to Victoria in September 1920 accepting the role of Chairman of Commissioners of Victorian Railways at an annual salary of £5000 making him the highest paid public servant at the time. Just seven months later, the 21st. April 1921, Harold was inducted as the inaugural Vice President of this club.
He was an extraordinary organiser enjoying cordial relations with his staff, union officials receiving much support from highly capable Railways Ministers including future Victorian Premier John Cain and imminent Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies. During his tenure, timetables were improved, larger and more powerful locomotives were built, services improved, and Vic Rail expanded into motor coach services, a ski chalet, children’s creches, bakeries and raisin bread marketing from country stations.
Your scribes first introduction to the Diesel electric locomotive was in early 1953 at the Noble Park railway station patiently waiting with mates for the new B60 diesel electric engine that had replaced the twin A-class steam locomotives to pass through at 7:10pm each night. The B60 was sleek, had blue and gold livery, a drivers cab at each end of the engine and a name emblazoned on each side of the front section near the identification number proudly honouring Harold W. Clapp in shiny bronze highlighted against the royal blue cowling. Whilst the B60 was sleek, elegant, strong and extremely powerful in all ways it was not as exciting nor as animated as the steam and smoke belching A-class locos it replaced.
Little did I know, nor be expected to know as a young 12-year-old train enthusiast when frequently watching and waving to the driver of B60 who Harold W. Clapp was. He must have been very important to have a big impressive new diesel engine named after him. It was named after our clubs first Vice-President who had also received a knighthood from King George VI in the 1941 New Years Honours for public services in the Commonwealth of Australia.
Harold Clapp served his community selflessly, without rancour or favour passing away on the 21st. October 1952 in East Melbourne. A truly great Australian and a most popular generous inaugural Rotary Club of Melbourne Vice President.
Peter McCall
Diesel Locomotive B60 in VR blue and gold livery in 1977
