Robert Aickman: A Curious Lack of Honours

Robert Aickman introducing the Queen Mother to David Hutchings, 1974

Robert Aickman was the co-founder of the Inland Waterways Association, and for many years its driving-force and main spokesman as the IWA campaigned for the restoration of Britain’s waterways. It is curious that despite his work he never received any official honour or recognition, as, for example, did David Hutchings, who received an M.B.E. for being the prime mover in the restoration of several canals. 

It cannot have helped his cause that Aickman was a rather divisive character, splitting the membership of the Association, causing, in effect, a civil war. His dogmatic approach was one reason why some regional branches disassociated themselves from the I.W.A. But despite these battles, the stated aims of the association were eventually met and its work is widely considered to have been a success.

The reason Aickman did not receive an M.B.E., a peerage or knighthood is that he made enemies in high places. Sir John Smith at a Memorial Tribute to Robert Aickman explained:

To further a cause, you have first to gain attention, particularly from those in authority. There are two ways of doing this; you can cajole and influence and generally stroke the ears, or you can attract a person’s attention by punching him on the nose. Robert belonged to the latter school of thought with this important refinement—he made the opposition look ridiculous as well.

According to Hugh McKnight, the photographer and commentator on the waterways:

. . . . people in high places put his name forward, only for the proposal to be blocked by a man that Aickman had insulted in the most unkind, uncalled for, and unprovoked manner years earlier. Meanwhile, that person progressed to a position of power and influence. Time passed and the application was repeated. Once more, it arrived on the desk of Aickman’s enemy and once more the idea was dis­carded. A member of the House of Lords, mystified at this outcome, told me that he was astonished at such an unheard of double rejection.

 

Hugh McKnight is waiting until the publication of his own memoirs before making public the name of the man who blocked Aickman’s honours.

You can order Robert Aickman: An Attempted Biography now. It will be published February 3rd, 2022.

 

Robert Aickman: An Attempted Biography, by R.B. Russell, Tartarus Press, 2022

Acknowledgements

With thanks to Heather Smith, and Artellus, Ltd.

All photos, unless otherwise stated, are copyright Estate of Robert Aickman/British Library/R.B. Russell, and are not to be reproduced without permission and acknowledgement.