born in erith, speakman became a tram conductor. he joined the tram and bus workers' union, from 1897 serving on its executive committee, and from 1900 as the secretary of its kent branch. in 1903, it merged into the amalgamated association of tramway and vehicle workers, and from 1905, speakman was full-time secretary of the union's london district. he relocated to deptford, and he was also elected to the union's national executive committee.