Celebrating 105 Years: A Look Back at CILT’s Historic Moments (1921-1952)
As we mark the inaugural International Day of Supply Chain, Logistics, and Transportation and celebrate the 105th anniversary of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), we’re excited to share a visual journey of our early years. This special timeline from 1921-1952 takes us through the beginnings of an institute that would go on to shape and support an entire industry, showcasing some of the pioneering figures and defining activities that laid the foundation for today’s CILT.
A History of CILT
1919 Henry Herman Gordon
In 1919, a relatively unknown railwayman named Henry Herman Gordon wrote a letter to The Times, calling for the creation of an Institute for the study of transport and logistics.
It was that letter, along with an expanded version written to Modern Transport at the behest of Editor Frederick Charles Coleman, which led directly to the formation of our Institute. Gordon went on to chair the first ever meeting on the idea of creating an Institute of Transport, and after the creation of the Preliminary Committee under the leadership of Lord Ashfield, Gordon worked alongside H.E. Blain to fulfil many of the necessary administrative functions of the nascent Institute. There is no photographic record of Gordon, and he never received public honour for this work, but there can be little doubt of the important role he played.
1919-1920
Sir Eric Campbell Geddes GCB GBE PC
The first President of the Institute of Transport, and the first Minister of Transport for the British government. During the First World War Geddes held several key positions, including Director-General of Transportation, Controller of the Navy and First Lord of the Admiralty.
1920-1921
Sir Albert Stanley,1st Baron Ashfield
Deeply involved from the earliest days of the Institute, having been Chairman of the Provisional Committee, Lord Ashfield was a great advocate for education and training, suggesting in his Presidential Address that the Institute should be involved in the provision of lectures, courses, scholarships and all other aspects of education.
1924-25
Sir Lynden Livingston Macassey KBE KC
The sixth President of the Institute, and a formidable legal mind, Macassey along with Honorary Solicitor William Joynson-Hicks oversaw the application for, and granting of, a Royal Charter for the Institute.
1921 – UK
28 January – Study visit to the Manchester Ship Canal during the first Annual Congress
1921 – UK
January – Visit to Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Train Control, Manchester
1921 – UK
January – Study tour to visit a dry dock in Liverpool
1929 – Switzerland
June – Study visit to the Simplon railway tunnel that connects Brig and Domodossola
1931 – Italy
June – Study tour inspecting a trolley railway
1931 – Italy
June – Study tour of Genoa Harbour
1931 – Italy
June – Members on a study visit to the Ostia Lido, near Rome
1931 – Italy
June – ‘Battery Bus’ placed at the disposal of the Institute
1933 – Aboard HMS Homeric
June – Journeying between Tangiers and Las Palmas, delegates receive a visit from Zeppelin Graf
1935 – Austria
May – Members in the Council Chamber of the town hall during an address by Dr Musil, Chief Engineer of Vienna
1935 – Austria
27 May – Educational tour at the Tramway Works of the Vienna Municipal Transport Administration
1952 – Netherlands
24 May – Study tour at Amsterdam Railway Station
Reflecting on Our Legacy
These early snapshots highlight the people and moments that have contributed to CILT’s enduring legacy. The photos serve as a reminder of our origins, celebrating the work and vision that have brought us to where we are today.
As we celebrate 105 years and our International Day of Supply Chain, Logistics and Transportation, we honor this legacy and look forward to building on it in the years to come. Thank you for being a part of CILT’s journey!