GWR : Great Western Railway

[SwindonLibrary]

Just a note to let BG Forum members know that here at the Local Studies and Family History Collection, at Swindon Central Library, we have a full bound run of the GWR staff magazine (1891-1947), plus the British Rail Western Region magazine that followed it (1947-).

(We also have a complete run of The Railway Magazine from 1897)

They can be VERY good for obituaries, promotions, appointments, accidents and retirements within the company. Many entries feature photographs. While not comprehensive, we have often managed to find results. Please feel free to contact us directly or through this site.

--------------------------------------------------------
Remember that GWR staff records themselves are held in the National Archives, Kew.
Great Western Railway Company: Staff Records
Covering dates 1835-1962
Availability Subject to 30 year closure unless otherwise stated
---------------------------------------------------------


Best Wishes,
Swindon Libraries.

[Browneyes]

Hello

:D

Could I ask if there's anything in your magazines about a gentleman named John Henry Chapman, particularly if he's mentioned with anyone by the surname of Faulkner. He was a 19 year old Cornish man living in Oxford Street in 1901 and was a "Railway Engine Examiner". By 1911 he's moved to Paddington but still worked for the railways. Failing that any information on, say, his 'job description' would be very welcome.

Many thanks
Browneyes

[Barbara Wilkinson]

What a wonderful offer - I hope you don't live to regret it when you get inundated with requests ....!!

I wonder if there is anything about two of my grandmother's brothers in the magazines; one certainly worked for GWR, the other probably did:

Ernest William Benney, born 1879, Truro - working as a "railway engine stoker, Great Western Railways" according to the 1911 census, and living at that time in Exeter. Finding him (and my grandmother!) in Exeter in 1911 was quite unexpected, since I had not hear anything from my grandmother about her living there; presumably that was something to do with his job.

The other brother, Harold Francis Benney, born 1884, Truro, was working as a "railway engine fireman" in 1911, and living in Stroud. That was not such a surprise, since my father had always said he moved away from Truro, but then lost track of him and his family.

Any information would be gratefully received!
Thanks

[SwindonLibrary]

Barbara and Browneyes, thank you both for your replies.

We know of someone currently creating a complete surname index for the GWR staff magazine, but until this becomes more widely available there are limitations to how broad a search we can conduct.The annual bound volumes often DO have their own index but it is mostly a subject and place index and features only the most prominent names - the top brass.

If you know the approximate year of a GWR employee's retirement, or the date of death (either during their time at GWR or after a long career), then we can check the range of years. Each issue often has 4-6 pages of staff events mentioning hundreds of staff. The size of these entries can vary, from large features with portrait photographs, right down to the list of staff changes and transfers, with minimal detail.

To begin, I would try and obtain a copy of staff records from Kew. This should give the key starting/finishing dates, and presumably any promotion or incident. We can then track down any possible mention in the staff magazine.

[Browneyes]

Thank you for your reply. I'll see what I can find out from Kew and then go from there.

Browneyes

[Barbara Wilkinson]

Many thanks!
I have no further information at present - just idle curiosity! I will try other avenues - and may be back ....!!!
I still think it is a wonderful offer though ......:)

[SwindonLibrary]

Well it would ge great to find some entries for you.

The GWR magazine is a remarkable source of biographical information and it should be on the list of sources for any genealogist with GWR connections. If you have dates of death for longstanding employee there are frequent obituaries for even long-retired staff. But just like searching local newspapers for bmd announcements, there is never any guarantee of inclusion.

[SwindonLibrary]

I mentioned an in-progress index. Well, the execllent Berks FHS site also mentions this:



Mr David Colcomb of 38, Roundway Park, Devizes SN10 2ED, is working his way through the GWR magazines, extracting names in reports of presentations, retirements etc. From the records of the GWR Enginemen and Firemen’s Mutual Assurance Society and Superannuation Society he has extracted details of 41,000 members. Mr Colcomb will deal with postal enquiries on receipt of a stamped addressed envelope and a donation to the Dorothy House Hospice.


Also, Ancestry has (if you look very hard!) a 5 year chunk of the GWR staff mag name-indexed (late 1930s to mid 40s)

[brianb]

Hi

I have before me a British Rail publication from around 1975, about the Swindon works. It was published to "commemorate the 150th aniversary of the passenger carrying Stockton and Darlington Railway company and Swindons contributions".

There is quite a variety of items in there (the name Swindon either comes from "the town on the hill" OR "down of swine", due to the preponderance of pigs in the area !) including a works outing photo in 1974, names from the photo are W N Pellow, S A S Smith, H G Johnson, H R Roberts, C T Roberts, F W Hawksworth and K J Cook. Other names mentioned are Alfred Williams (poet and steam hammer operator), H F S Morgan, W Stanier.

At the time of the publication the works were described as "still aplant to be considered".

Apparently trades on the railways included artificial limb maker, caller-up, chaff cutter, dings seperator and shingler.

There is even a mention of the monster of Swindon (a Pliosaurus Brachysponddylus !) excavated in 1975, and a bloke called Raggy Powell.

Now dont you just love the junk info I sometimes unearth !

The publication is about to be handed over to the Institute of Highways and Transportation, if any names mentioned ring bells for you, pm me your email details and I will try and scan a page or two, but be quick cos it will be handed over soon.

has the Swindon Library got a copy ?

Brian

[SwindonLibrary]

Hello BrianB

Is it this?:

Swindon Works open day, September 7th 1974 : brochure /
British Rail Engineering Ltd., 1974.

If so, we already have copy in our local studies collection. So as long as it goes to a good home!

Some of those names are very famous: - the writer Alfred Williams; Hawksworth, and Stanier were very senior local GWR figures; And the James "Raggy" Powell bloke ( :) ) is a major figure in our local council's history.

[brianb]

Hi Swindon

I dont think it is the same one, this is an a4 (landscape) booklet with a bronze coloured cover, as I said, published for the 150th aniversary etc.

It does mention the 1975 "open days" and has the 1974 works photo "of an historic group of Swindon management" (so it says), but strangely hasnt a date of publication.

Its an interesting book, with loads of topics covered in its 40 pages, the Swindon Monster was once called Raggy Powells horse|laugh1|, so he must have been a character !.

If you do not have this publication, I am sure the IHT would consider you as a safe keeper perhaps, let me know as I need to clear the office asap in advance of a move to new offices, hence old publications going to good homes like IHT and the Glamorgan Archieves.

[SwindonLibrary]

Well if there is any doubt we would love to have a copy - either a scan or an original. It would be a permanent part of our local studies collection.
Let me know what you decide. Thanks.

FAO Local Studies
Swindon Central Library,
Regent Circus,
Swindon,
Wiltshire
SN1 1QG

(01793) 463238
central.library@swindon.gov.uk

[brianb]

okey dokey

will scan the cover and email it through to you in a little while, if its not part of your collection I will post it off to you (IHT agreeing as they had first dibs).

Otherwise will scan the lot dinner time tomorrow and email through the full document.

Cheers, and as the others have said, its good that you have joined the forum, maybe others will follow.

Brian

[SwindonLibrary]

Thanks for your help in this. Much appreciated.

[sailorbaz]

Hi Swindon,
Thanks for your generous offer, Swindon Library.
I have been trying to find my mother's father, Mr. Deacon or Deakin, for some time. He came from Banbury, Oxfordshire originally and he didn't stay with my grandmother there for long, hence the lack of Christian name!
He had another family in Birmingham that she didn't know about.
He worked for the GWR at Snowhill around 1912-1914. The story in our family is that he was killed in WW1 but that may have been a smokescreen and he could have continued with the GWR.
Any help in tracing even a Christian name would be much appreciated.
By the way, I didn't attend the works open day in 1974. But I went on many works visits in the 1950's when they were repairing GWR locos and building BR 92000 class locos.
Regards
Barry

[mariner]

Just a note to let BG Forum members know that here at the Local Studies and Family History Collection, at Swindon Central Library, we have a full bound run of the GWR staff magazine (1891-1947), plus the British Rail Western Region magazine that followed it (1947-).

(We also have a complete run of The Railway Magazine from 1897)

They can be VERY good for obituaries, promotions, appointments, accidents and retirements within the company. Many entries feature photographs. While not comprehensive, we have often managed to find results. Please feel free to contact us directly or through this site.

--------------------------------------------------------
Remember that GWR staff records themselves are held in the National Archives, Kew.
Great Western Railway Company: Staff Records
Covering dates 1835-1962
Availability Subject to 30 year closure unless otherwise stated
---------------------------------------------------------


Best Wishes,
Swindon Libraries.

Hi
Did they run in S.Wales, if they did, did they get to Pembroke?
Don

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi
Did they run in S.Wales, if they did, did they get to Pembroke?
Don

Sorry Mariner/Don - I'm not sure what you mean.

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi Swindon,
Thanks for your generous offer, Swindon Library.
I have been trying to find my mother's father, Mr. Deacon or Deakin, for some time. He came from Banbury, Oxfordshire originally and he didn't stay with my grandmother there for long, hence the lack of Christian name!
He had another family in Birmingham that she didn't know about.
He worked for the GWR at Snowhill around 1912-1914. The story in our family is that he was killed in WW1 but that may have been a smokescreen and he could have continued with the GWR.
Any help in tracing even a Christian name would be much appreciated.
By the way, I didn't attend the works open day in 1974. But I went on many works visits in the 1950's when they were repairing GWR locos and building BR 92000 class locos.
Regards
Barry


Barry, just to check the obvious for a moment, is he named on your mother's birth certificate? This is by far your best bet for solid information.

Sadly, there will be MANY people on the railways with that surname, in that region, during that period so without either a date or retirement (or year of death if he did periosh in WWI) there is not much we can do. You can check the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (http://www.cwgc.org/) website for Deacon/Deakin casualties and see where they came from but the key thing here, as always, is to ask "How will I know the right person if & when I find them?" and at the moment there is no confirming piece of information.

You could try searching the 1901 census for people born in Banbury with that surname (if he worked for the GWR in 1912 he almost certainly will be on the 1901 census, if not earlier ones too) but without even an approximate age or confirmation that he was born in Banbury you will struggle.

Is there any other relative that might be able to help?

[philmay]

Hi,
I am trying to find out information about the death of Jacob Dunn aged 21 years. In the 1901 census he is listed as a gwr drilling machinist. He died in july-sept 1902. Do you have any information?

[SwindonLibrary]

Well your first step - if not done so already - is to get the GRO details to order the death certificate. Was he still working for the GWR when he died, or had he retired?

I have checked the GRO Deaths for Q3 (Jul-Sep) 1902 and there is no Jacob Dunn listed on the fiche. Is it possible that you have the details wrong?

There is this one:

Name of deceased: Jacob Dunn
Year: 1900
Quarter: Apr-May-Jun
Age at Death: 30
District: Sunderland
Vol: 10a
Page: 384

But I don't have enough details to confirm if this is right.

Also, on the 1901 census via Ancestry I can find 5 Jacob Dunns (spelt that way) but none working on the railways.

[philmay]

Hi, sorry I have made a mistake. the person I am looking for is Jacob Ruddle born 1881 died 1902 in Swindon.

[MELLERS]

Would you know if the Crewe Locomotive Works would be included. A number of my family worked there from the 1860's through the 1920's.

[mariner]

Sorry Mariner/Don - I'm not sure what you mean.
Sorry I've taken so long to get back to you, my question re phrased is did the G W R get to Pembrokeshire or was it another railway company, the reason I asked is because my cockney ancestor married in Pembroke in 1869 and he was a fitter !! on the railway.
Don

[SwindonLibrary]

Thanks for your questions - We will get back to you when we have some answers!

best wishes,

Swindon Central Library

[SwindonLibrary]

philmay, - is this Jacob?:


Name: Jacob Ruddle
1902 Sep Q3
Age: 21
District: Swindon
Volume: 5a Page: 15


If so, do you have the death certificate and therefore the date of death?
If you do then I can check microfilms of the local paper (Swindon Evening Advertiser and others) for an obituary or story - and hopefully an account of what the circumstances of his young death were.
An entire quarter of newspapers is far too much to check on microfilm sadly.

We have a small gap in our GWR staff magazine from 1895-1902 - so it may also be worth contacting STEAM, the museum of the GWR, who may well have a full set:
Click for link to STEAM's library webpage (http://www.steam-museum.org.uk/steam/steam2007-archive-introduction-2.htm)

Their email : steamlibrary@swindon.gov.uk

[SwindonLibrary]

Would you know if the Crewe Locomotive Works would be included. A number of my family worked there from the 1860's through the 1920's.
Hello Mellers,
The Crewe works were part of the Grand Junction railway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Junction_Railway)
Click for Wiki page on Crewe Locomotive works (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crewe_Works)

We can't help you with Crewe. Perhaps the National Rail Museum:
http://www.nrm.org.uk/home/home.asp

Or try Cheshire Local Studies:
http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/Recordoffice/visiting/recoffvisit.htm#contact

[SwindonLibrary]

Sorry I've taken so long to get back to you, my question re phrased is did the G W R get to Pembrokeshire or was it another railway company, the reason I asked is because my cockney ancestor married in Pembroke in 1869 and he was a fitter !! on the railway.
Don

Hello Don,

To the best of my knowledge, the GWR did eventually form a large part of the Pembrokeshire railways. But previously there were several small local companies that, at the turn of the century, were taken over by the GWR.

In 1869 it is likely your ancestor worked for one of these smaller companies.

Try this excellent link:History of Pembrokeshire Railways (http://www.pembrokeshirevirtualmuseum.co.uk/main_menu/trade_and_industry/trains/a_chronology_of_pembrokeshire_railways.html).

[philmay]

philmay, - is this Jacob?:


Name: Jacob Ruddle
1902 Sep Q3
Age: 21
District: Swindon
Volume: 5a Page: 15


If so, do you have the death certificate and therefore the date of death?
If you do then I can check microfilms of the local paper (Swindon Evening Advertiser and others) for an obituary or story - and hopefully an account of what the circumstances of his young death were.
An entire quarter of newspapers is far too much to check on microfilm sadly.

We have a small gap in our GWR staff magazine from 1895-1902 - so it may also be worth contacting STEAM, the museum of the GWR, who may well have a full set:
Click for link to STEAM's library webpage (http://www.steam-museum.org.uk/steam/steam2007-archive-introduction-2.htm)

Their email : steamlibrary@swindon.gov.uk

Hi,yes that is him, when I get a death cert I will be in touch. Thank you for your help so far.
regards
Phil

[mariner]

Hello Don,

To the best of my knowledge, the GWR did eventually form a large part of the Pembrokeshire railways. But previously there were several small local companies that, at the turn of the century, were taken over by the GWR.

In 1869 it is likely your ancestor worked for one of these smaller companies.

Try this excellent link:History of Pembrokeshire Railways (http://www.pembrokeshirevirtualmuseum.co.uk/main_menu/trade_and_industry/trains/a_chronology_of_pembrokeshire_railways.html).

Thank you, He was based in Swansea on the 1901 census, so I expect that he transferred to the GWR then.
Once again many thanks
Don

[Ffortune]

Dear Swindon
My grandfather did his engineering apprenticship (circa 1930) at the GWR in Swindon.
Would you advise starting at Kew for staff info before coming down to Swindon or it is possible to start my research at Swindon?
regards ffortune

[SwindonLibrary]

Dear Ffortune,

Thank you for your enquiry.

I would certainly recommend checking if there are surviving staff records at Kew. While we have an extensive collection of GWR books and material - including the staff magazines - the only personal information we could supply would be via the usual sources (census, GRO, directories and similar).

There is a book you may want to check out - "Great Western Apprentice - Swindon in the 30s" by Hugh Freebury (1985). It may well help provide a more vivid picture of your Grandfather's life.

thanks,

Swindon Libraries.

[cathy1969]

My G Grandfather George Joseph Willsher worked for G.W.R as a carraige examiner. He was born in Paddington in 1894 & died in 1931. I know he was in WW1 but he had left the forces & had returned to work as a carriage examiner before he died. He was only 37 when he died, his death was caused by gassing in WW1.

I was wondering if there were any records for him & his work?

Cathy

[SwindonLibrary]

Hello cathy1969,

As with many others in your position it is best to see what staff records exist at the National Archives (see previous posts above for details). Aside from that you seem to have determined all of the major landmarks of his life.

Have you tried looking for WWI pension records and medal rolls on Ancestry.com? There are at least 2 George J. Willshers listed.

However, as he died whilst still at the works, I will check the GWR Staff Magazine for 1931 to see if they printed an obituary. I will let you know the results!

Best wishes,

Local Studies & Family History
Swindon Libraries

[SwindonLibrary]

cathy1969,

I have just checked all obituaries in the GWR Staff Magazine for 1931 with no luck. Of course, it is very hard to know what percentage of staff deaths appeared in the magazine but it seems to mention staff of all ranks and occupations (but the "top brass" seem guaranteed a mention!).

Regards,

Swindon Libraries

[bridgy]

:)
Hello there
Thank you so much for your kind offer. It is appreciated. I'm wondering if you can find anything on William KELLY who lived in Lisburn. On the 1911 Census he is shown as being 55 years of age and a 'Head Goods Porter with GNR (I)'. He and his family lived at 2 Ballynahinch Road, Lisburn and I have a death date of September 1930 for William.
Is there any mention of William in your records? If so, I'd love to see them.
Thank you so much once again.
Regards
Jan :)

[cathy1969]

Many Thanks SwindonLibrary, I have found 2 medal records for him & his discharge papers. I will have a look at Kew to see if there is any record there.

Thanks again
Cathy

[Ffortune]

Thanks Swindon I will start at Kew.
regards ffortune

[SwindonLibrary]

:)
Hello there
Thank you so much for your kind offer. It is appreciated. I'm wondering if you can find anything on William KELLY who lived in Lisburn. On the 1911 Census he is shown as being 55 years of age and a 'Head Goods Porter with GNR (I)'. He and his family lived at 2 Ballynahinch Road, Lisburn and I have a death date of September 1930 for William.
Is there any mention of William in your records? If so, I'd love to see them.
Thank you so much once again.
Regards
Jan :)

Hello Jan,

Thanks for your enquiry.

Sadly we only have records for the GWR (The Great Western Railway), although records for the GNR (Great Northern Railway) can be approached in the same way. Again, check if the National Archives hold staff reords and track down the local studies library or county record office that specializes in that company. They may hold staff magazines and other ephemera that can help you.

Personally I would start another thread in this section and copy your enquiry into that, as there may well be some BritGen members who are experts in this field.

Also, you could try National Railway Museum (http://www.nrm.org.uk/research/)

Best wishes,

Swindon Libraries

[SwindonLibrary]

Many Thanks SwindonLibrary, I have found 2 medal records for him & his discharge papers. I will have a look at Kew to see if there is any record there.

Thanks again
Cathy

Excellent - good luck in your research.

Swindon Libraries.

[SwindonLibrary]

Thanks Swindon I will start at Kew.
regards ffortune

Good luck Ffortune!



We have heard of some that have struggled to obtain records at Kew so we would be interested in BritGen members' experiences in this matter - did you find anything? Was it an easy process? What did the records tell you? Was it worth it!?

Swindon Libraries.

[bridgy]

Hello Jan,

Thanks for your enquiry.

Sadly we only have records for the GWR (The Great Western Railway), although records for the GNR (Great Northern Railway) can be approached in the same way. Again, check if the National Archives hold staff reords and track down the local studies library or county record office that specializes in that company. They may hold staff magazines and other ephemera that can help you.

Personally I would start another thread in this section and copy your enquiry into that, as there may well be some BritGen members who are experts in this field.

Also, you could try National Railway Museum (http://www.nrm.org.uk/research/)

Best wishes,

Swindon Libraries

|biggrin|
Thank you so much for your reply. I will do as you say and maybe some kind person will be able to help me. Have really just started to seriously research this branch of my family and am having some success which is a big change from all the 'brick walls' I keep running into.
Thank you again.
Regards
Jan

[SwindonLibrary]

Just a note to say that those interested through their genealogical research in the Great Western Railway (GWR) may want to have a look at our free online history gallery.

It has a section on the GWR here:
www.flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/sets/72157620893472468/

The rest of the gallery can be found here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/sets/


Best Wishes,
Swindon Libraries

[Colin Rowledge]

Just a note to say that those interested through their genealogical research in the Great Western Railway (GWR) may want to have a look at our free online history gallery.

It has a section on the GWR here:
www.flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/sets/72157620893472468/

The rest of the gallery can be found here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/sets/


Best Wishes,
Swindon Libraries

Hello Swindon Library - from Canada

My grandfather worked for GWR as a Railway Guard up until his death [May 22, 1939] from Cancer at age 50. I have a lot of personal information about him and can send to you by private message if you care to assist me.

Thanks for your help

Colin

[SwindonLibrary]

Dear Colin,

Thank you for the reply.
Please email your enquiry directly to:

central.library@swindon.gov.uk

And we will do our best to help.

Regards,
Swindon Libraries

[Colin Rowledge]

Dear Colin,

Thank you for the reply.
Please email your enquiry directly to:

central.library@swindon.gov.uk

And we will do our best to help.

Regards,
Swindon Libraries

Thank you.
An email was sent @ 3.10pm today [Ontario, Canada time] Please confirm receipt of same

Thanks

[SwindonLibrary]

Message rec'd!

We will be back in touch soon.
Best wishes,

Swindon Local Studies

[Colin Rowledge]

Message rec'd!

We will be back in touch soon.
Best wishes,

Swindon Local Studies

Any news on this topic for me?

Thanks so much

Colin

[SwindonLibrary]

Dear Colin,

Sorry for the wait. We do not get much enquiry work done over the weekend.
I found the briefest of obituaries and have emailed you this along with my suggestions for further research.


Regards,
Swindon Local Studies

[SLFoster]

Hi, in 1901 my grandfather Hubert Foster was in Princes Risborough training to be a GWR engine driver where he met and married my grandmother in 1905. They moved to Plymouth and my father was born there in 1908, then moved to Llanelli I think about 1913.I seem to remember my father tell me he drove from Paddington to Fishgaurd.
If you have any information especially photo’s that would be grate. There was a photo him in front of his engine and the driving wheel was taller than him and he was over six foot tall but the location of that photo is long gone.

Also I have a good photograph of Railway convalescent home Dawlish 1935 with over 60 men if anyone would like a scan contact me with your email and I will send it to you.

[avidt1]

Hi

I am trying to trace a Nehemiah Smith born @1800 who worked as an Engine Driver on the G W R. He is described on various Census as having been born in Chewton Mendip, Midsomer Norton, Timsbury & Farmborough.

I wondered if you have any record of thi man and where he was actually born?

Many Thanks

David

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi, in 1901 my grandfather Hubert Foster was in Princes Risborough training to be a GWR engine driver where he met and married my grandmother in 1905. They moved to Plymouth and my father was born there in 1908, then moved to Llanelli I think about 1913.I seem to remember my father tell me he drove from Paddington to Fishgaurd.
If you have any information especially photo’s that would be grate. There was a photo him in front of his engine and the driving wheel was taller than him and he was over six foot tall but the location of that photo is long gone.

Hello!

Just to check - in case you were hoping we could help:

There is not much we can do with this information - again, I suggest tracking down any surviving staff records at Kew - armed with things like retirement or promotion dates then we may be able to check back in the GWR Staff mags for pictures and mentions.

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi

I am trying to trace a Nehemiah Smith born @1800 who worked as an Engine Driver on the G W R. He is described on various Census as having been born in Chewton Mendip, Midsomer Norton, Timsbury & Farmborough.

I wondered if you have any record of thi man and where he was actually born?

Many Thanks

David
Hello David,

I think that the usual records like census and GRO will be of the most help.
Track those down first. If he lived long enough to appear on the Victorian censuses then you will get his place of birth from those.
As for the GWR, as above, there MAY be staff records (we have not been able to get % figures for what survives or how complete they are).

[avidt1]

Hi
He appears to have been born in 4 different places according to the 1851/1861/1871/1881 Census.

I have tried the online OPC and Somerset Baptisms Index without success and the attempt through jis occupation is a last ditch attempt to tray to ascertain where he actually came from.

Many THanks

David

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi
He appears to have been born in 4 different places according to the 1851/1861/1871/1881 Census.

I have tried the online OPC and Somerset Baptisms Index without success and the attempt through jis occupation is a last ditch attempt to tray to ascertain where he actually came from.

Many THanks

David

There's always one of these in every family! - and a Smith too!
I don't envy you.

Maybe GWR staff record from the National Archives IF they can search using first names. Otherwise maybe try David Colcomb - who is apparently name-indexing the GWR Staff magazines (i included his details in an earlier post on this thread).

We have no way of finding him in the magazines given what we know at present. Maybe a few posts on other forums - Rootsweb etc, might widen the net a little? (Apologies to BritGen for mentioning the competition!).

Never ignore the "long shot" either. Try online newspapers archives like the EXCELLENT "19th Century Newspapers" site or Times Digital. These are subscription sites but check if your local library offers them free to members (we do). And a good old fashioned thorough Google-ing can sometimes deliver the goods.

[Nancy Frey]

One of my ancestors, William DAVIDGE born Bath 1813 was an engineer. In the 1841 and later census records, he lived in Bristol in the area known as The Dings. If you have a map of Bristol, you will see how close this is to the Railway Yards.

I've always wondered if he worked for the GWR. Could you have a look in your records to see if there is any mention of him?

He is shown as 'retired' in the 1891 Census, so the timeframe would be from 1833 - 1891.

Regards,

Nancy Frey nee DAVIDGE
Newcastle, Ontario, CANADA

[lf846]

Hi,
I'm looking for information on my gggrandfather Henry James Perry. He worked for GWR as a railway porter in Taunton from the mid 1880's until his death on 1 Apr 1916. I would appreciate any information you may be able to find on him,
regards

[SwindonLibrary]

One of my ancestors, William DAVIDGE born Bath 1813 was an engineer. In the 1841 and later census records, he lived in Bristol in the area known as The Dings. If you have a map of Bristol, you will see how close this is to the Railway Yards.

I've always wondered if he worked for the GWR. Could you have a look in your records to see if there is any mention of him?

He is shown as 'retired' in the 1891 Census, so the timeframe would be from 1833 - 1891.

Regards,

Nancy Frey nee DAVIDGE
Newcastle, Ontario, CANADA

Hello Nancy,
Thanks for the response.

There is nothing we can do for you on this front - you need to find him on the earlier census returns and see his occupation - if it mentins GWR or a job that could be part of that company then, as we have said in previous posts, you must contact the National Archives and see if they have surviving staff records.

Good luck!

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi,
I'm looking for information on my gggrandfather Henry James Perry. He worked for GWR as a railway porter in Taunton from the mid 1880's until his death on 1 Apr 1916. I would appreciate any information you may be able to find on him,
regards

After c30 years of service he may well have an obituary in the May 1916 GWR Staff magazine (or later) - I will check for you.

[helachau]

There's a record on Free BMD of the death of Henry J Perry age 57 in the Taunton District. The death was registered June 1916 GRO reference 5c 377.

I've also found a Henry Jas Perry on the 1911 Census age 52 occupation Railway Porter. There's quite a household but can't fill in details now- have to dash. Will provide more on return later - unless someone delivers before

[cathy1969]

Hi,

I dont know if anyone can help but I am looking for info on my GG Grandfather George Joseph Willsher. He worked on the GWR.

I know his birth was registered in March 1894, he was born in Paddington, London. He enlisted in Aug 1914 and came out in 1917. He died 17/04/1931 & was told he died from TB as a result of WW1 gassing. He married Louisa Thomas on 09/06/1919 in Kensington, London & his profession on the marriage certificate was Carriage Examiner for G.W.R. He was living in Plymouth in 1924 as my grandfather was born there.

That is as much as I know about him.

Any help would be grateful
Cathy

[helachau]

Apologies for not getting back earlier - been a busy day. The 1911 Census provides the following

Henry Jas Perry, Head of Household, age 52, married 30 yrs, Occupation Railway Porter GWR, status = Worker, born West Monkton, Somerset
Eliza Perry, Wife, age 52, married 30 yrs, born Swimbridge N Devon
Frederick William Perry, Son, age 21, Single, Occupation Butcher's Slaughterman, Status = Worker, born Taunton
Bessie Ethel Perry, Daughter, age 18, Occupation Shirt and Collar Works Taunton Mfg Co, born Taunton
Robert Thomas perry, Son, age 16, Single, Veterinary Surgeon's Errand Boy, Status = Worker, born Taunton
Beatrice Mary perry, Daughter, age 11, at School, born Taunton
Hilda Perry, Grandaughter, age 2 1/2, born Taunton
Charles Maurice Perry, Son, age 25, Occupation Loco' Examiner GWR, Status = Worker, born Taunton.

The address is "Braunton", Raleigh Terrace, Taunton

Hope this sounds like the fella you are seeking

[helachau]

Sorry, forgot to add that the Census return stated that 11 children had been born during the marriage of which 9 had survived.

[lf846]

Thank you for that information. It is the family I'm looking for. It sounds from the census as if his son worked for GWR to so I might have to check the staff records for more details on that.

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi,
I'm looking for information on my gggrandfather Henry James Perry. He worked for GWR as a railway porter in Taunton from the mid 1880's until his death on 1 Apr 1916. I would appreciate any information you may be able to find on him,
regards

Well, bingo - I have found a sadly VERY brief mention in the GWR Staff Magazine.



We have to record the death of the following members of the Great Western Railway Provident Society:-
H.J. Perry of taunton, on April 1st, aged 57.

REF: GWR Magazine.
Volume XXVIII (No. 5) : May 1916, p.130.

[lf846]

Thank you very much for looking that up for me. It's nice to know he did get a mention!

[Barnzzz]

Hi there !

Could I ask you to have a quick look and see if you have anything on a (distant) ancestor? He was called Edward George Axe and in 1911 he was the Station Master at Brinkworth, Malmesbury.

Many thanks
Sue

[helachau]

Edward George Axe - birth registered Bedminster Sep 1875. The GRO reference is 5c 674

Edward George Axe and Rose Creedy - marriage registered Bristol Sep 1905. The GRO reference is 6a 389

1911 Census Details
Edward George Axe, Head of Household, born 1876, age 35, married 5yrs, Station Master GW Rly, born Bristol
Rose Axe, wife, born 1878, age 33, married 5 yrs, born Bristol
Kate Creedy, relative, Widow, born Bristol, bore 2 children, one deceased,
Looks like Mother in Law is with them
The address is simply Brinkworth, Wiltshire

Hope this helps

[Barnzzz]

Thanks Helachau, this is the man.
Sue

[SBSFamilyhistory]

hello Swindon Library

Do you know where I would be able to find information about Frederick Burrows. He started as a Porter at Ross on Wye station. He was also a checker at Hackney Halt. He went on to become the president of NUR.

Fingers crossed in anticipation, any help would be much appreciated

Sue

[SwindonLibrary]

hello Swindon Library

Do you know where I would be able to find information about Frederick Burrows. He started as a Porter at Ross on Wye station. He was also a checker at Hackney Halt. He went on to become the president of NUR.

Fingers crossed in anticipation, any help would be much appreciated

Sue

Hello Sue,

It is very difficult for us to give you any info at this stage.
We can look for mentions in the GWR Staff Magazine if you have specific dates but you need to begin by seeing if any staff records survive at the National Archives.

Best wishes

[SBSFamilyhistory]

Sorry

Fred was born in 1887 in Gloucestershire and joined the staff at Ross on Wye railway station when he left school. Fred was a NUR representatve and was elected the union president in 1943.

Fred would have returned to his work at Ross in 1945, if he had not been sent to Celyon and then India but the Government at the time. I know about his time post 1945 but should appreciate it if you could provide me with information about his time working for the GWR.

I hope this helps.

Sue

[SwindonLibrary]

Dear Sue,

Thanks for the extra info. There was no clear mention of him in the staff magazines I checked. See below for Plan B!....

--------------------------------------------
Dear all on B-G Forums

GWR Staff Records

Looking back at the number of posts enquiring about the GWR (and the posts on here are just the tiny tip of the iceberg as many more email us direct, write or phone), we really have to change strategy. We don't want people waiting on here for an answer and do not want to miss new questions either.
Furthermore, many of the enquiries we are receving are not going to yield results just from searching the staff magazine.

However, there is a researcher, David Colcomb, who offers a wonderful service for those tracking down GWR staff. He uses information from the PRO and the WSRO and has several enormous private indexes he has created. He goes to truly titanic efforts for people and only asks that a small donation is made to a children's charity (details of which he will provide).

So....any further Staff enquiries about the GWR (and ONLY the GWR, not BRWR or other companies) can be sent direct to him:

Mr D. Colcomb
38, Roundway Park,
Devizes SN10 2ED

He is sending me an enquiry form which, when it arrives, I will scan and email to those needing help. Until then, if you contact him you need to provide all details in a clear and concise way, state what it is you would like to find out (and of of course, remember to include your own postal address!).

If in doubt feel free to contact us and we will try our best to help.

Good luck in your research!
Swindon Collection, Central Library.

[SBSFamilyhistory]

Thanks very much. I will post contact him, and post info, if he is able to help me.

Sue

[sailorsgirl64]

My father, Rayond Allen, was a signalman on the GWR/British Rail after the war and worked at Hallen Marsh Junction near Bristol. Can you tell me if there is any record of the years that he did this job?

My uncle, Leonard Allen, was a fireman and firebox cleaner ... any informaton on this would be welcome.

Quite a few of my family were railway workers my great grandfather was a platelayer and so were several of his sons.

Sarah

[SwindonLibrary]

My father, Rayond Allen, was a signalman on the GWR/British Rail after the war and worked at Hallen Marsh Junction near Bristol. Can you tell me if there is any record of the years that he did this job?

My uncle, Leonard Allen, was a fireman and firebox cleaner ... any informaton on this would be welcome.

Quite a few of my family were railway workers my great grandfather was a platelayer and so were several of his sons.

Sarah

Dear Sarah,

We have only just spotted this! Sorry for the delay.

As said in the post just above yours, to obtain Leonard's staff records you need to either contact the National Archives, or better, contact researcher David Colcomb and see if he can help you.
He goes to truly titanic efforts for people and only asks that a small donation is made to a children's charity (details of which he will provide).

Mr D. Colcomb
38, Roundway Park,
Devizes SN10 2ED



Happy new year from Swindon Libraries

[MartinP]

Hi
My gr grandfather, Arthur Shewbrook Pomeroy was an "Agent" for GWR in Reading having previously been a Station Master in Haverfordwest and Gloucester. He died on 25 Dec 1892. I am interested to know if there was an Obituary or mention of him in the GWR Staff Magazine.
As I live in South Africa, it is not possible to visit the Archives.

Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
Martin Pomeroy

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi
My gr grandfather, Arthur Shewbrook Pomeroy was an "Agent" for GWR in Reading having previously been a Station Master in Haverfordwest and Gloucester. He died on 25 Dec 1892. I am interested to know if there was an Obituary or mention of him in the GWR Staff Magazine.
As I live in South Africa, it is not possible to visit the Archives.

Any help would be appreciated.
Regards
Martin Pomeroy

Hello Mr Pomeroy, we found a brief mention of Arthur Pomeroy in the January edition of the GWR Magazine as follows:

We regret to record the death on the morning of Christmas, from congestion of the lungs and pleurisy, of Mr. A. Pomeroy, Goods Agent, Reading. The deceased who was a most able and promising officer, reached his 38th year, and had served in the Chief Goods Manager’s Office, Paddington, also in the Passenger Department, Haverfordwest, and as Goods Agent at Neath, Gloucester and Reading.


Regards,
Swindon Libraries

[MartinP]

Hello Mr Pomeroy, we found a brief mention of Arthur Pomeroy in the January edition of the GWR Magazine as follows:

We regret to record the death on the morning of Christmas, from congestion of the lungs and pleurisy, of Mr. A. Pomeroy, Goods Agent, Reading. The deceased who was a most able and promising officer, reached his 38th year, and had served in the Chief Goods Manager’s Office, Paddington, also in the Passenger Department, Haverfordwest, and as Goods Agent at Neath, Gloucester and Reading.


Regards,
Swindon Libraries

Thank you very much for your prompt reply. I really appreciate the information that you provided.
Regards
Martin Pomeroy

[craiguito]

I'd be very grateful if you could let me know if there's mention of my great grandfather George Randall, a GWR railway engine driver. Originally from Llanelli, he was apparently promoted and went to work in Cirencester (or near) some time between 1904 and 1907, before going back to Llanelli.

Craig

[SwindonLibrary]

Just FYI - We replied to Craig via email!


Best wishes,
Swindon Libraries.

[Tourmie]

I have long been searching for a mention of Thomas Hinchliffe who worked Swindon GWR for most of the latter half of the 1800's. On the 1901 census he was 70 and a retired engine fitter. He died 7 April 1906. Would dearly love to find a mention of him as I have absolutely nothing. His sons and daughter also worked there for a time but that's another story.

[chesil]

Hello,

Do you have any info for a George Frederick Hines, Engine Driver, was based at Weymouth.
Best wishes

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi Tourmie,
Did we ever get back to you on Mr Hinchcliffe? - I have checked the 1906 staff sections of the GWR magazine and cannot see any mention of his death (in later years there is better coverage via various pensions schemes). There is a definite change in the way the staff magazine covers the lives, work and deaths of staff after World War I, with far more attention paid to the more humble workers.

Have you tried to get his staff record? Try the TNA link in the post by notanotherminer.

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi chesil
Could you please have a read of Swindon libraries post 4 of this thread which explains that the search they can conduct is somewhat limited........

Hi,
Thanks for posting this. We have not checked into this thread for a while.

As you say, we can check for very specific dates for GWR staff, and many have come to us after seeing this forum. We often do find something but there is yet to be any accessible searchable name index for us to use.

If ever anyone wants to get in touch with us and we don't spot a post here, please just email central.library@swindon.gov.uk (and put "FAO Swindon Collection" in subject line).

[Tourmie]

Hi Tourmie,
Did we ever get back to you on Mr Hinchcliffe? - I have checked the 1906 staff sections of the GWR magazine and cannot see any mention of his death (in later years there is better coverage via various pensions schemes). There is a definite change in the way the staff magazine covers the lives, work and deaths of staff after World War I, with far more attention paid to the more humble workers.

Have you tried to get his staff record? Try the TNA link in the post by notanotherminer.

No and the name is Hinchliffe not HinchCliffe a very common mistake! I have looked at the railway records on ancestry and found a couple of entries but not for Swindon.
What is a TNA link? I don't know how to get his staff record - what would it tell me regards personal info?
If there is more info after WW1 maybe I would be better off asking about his son John Thomas - anything for him of note?
He died 8 September 1934.
Thank you for replying.

[SwindonLibrary]

No and the name is Hinchliffe not HinchCliffe a very common mistake! I have looked at the railway records on ancestry and found a couple of entries but not for Swindon.
What is a TNA link? I don't know how to get his staff record - what would it tell me regards personal info?
If there is more info after WW1 maybe I would be better off asking about his son John Thomas - anything for him of note?
He died 8 September 1934.
Thank you for replying.

Sorry about surname typo!

I have checked the GWR Staff mag for 1934 from Sep to the end of the year and even into the begininng of 1935, and sadly there is no mention of his son either.
The obits list the date of death so I can see that by December they are on to October and November deaths.


Such a shame - there are many many names there and although somtimes it literally justs lists them as an obituary, often there are
photos and more detailed obits.

[sailorbaz]

Hi again,
As you can see I posted on this thread a couple of years ago! Since then one of my cousins now believes that the name of my mother's father was Maurice Watts Hemming (sometimes appears as Hemmings). He appears in the 1911 census as a 'Horse driver, Railway Co.', living at 4 House, No. 5 Court, Bradford Street, Birmingham.
I have a photo of my mother's father taken about 1912/14. I would be most grateful if you could find a photo of Maurice Hemming in the magazine, so that I could make a comparison to confirm one way or another.
Regards
Barry

[Tourmie]

Sorry about surname typo!

I have checked the GWR Staff mag for 1934 from Sep to the end of the year and even into the begininng of 1935, and sadly there is no mention of his son either.
The obits list the date of death so I can see that by December they are on to October and November deaths.


Such a shame - there are many many names there and although somtimes it literally justs lists them as an obituary, often there are
photos and more detailed obits.

I never expect to find anything so am not surprised but thank you for checking I appreciate it :)

[Elma]

Hi
Do the records at Swindon cover any mention of staff that worked for the London Midland & Scottish Railway.
My relative Albert Godfrey worked for them and possibly the GWR before he died in 1949. He lived in Avonmouth.
With thanks ELMA

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi
Do the records at Swindon cover any mention of staff that worked for the London Midland & Scottish Railway.
My relative Albert Godfrey worked for them and possibly the GWR before he died in 1949. He lived in Avonmouth.
With thanks ELMA

Hi Elma and Sailrobaz,

We don't have staff records here - we just have an almost complete run of the GWR staff magazine. This ends of course in 1947. It can be very useful for genealogy as it lists promotions, retirements, obituaries and other stories - sometimes with photographs, but it has not been indexed to that level yet, although we hear there are projects in progress. So for us to find anything we need the exact (-ish) date of a particular event that may have been covered by the GWR Staff Magazine - retirement, death, promotion, military event etc.

GWR (and other railway company) staff records themselves are out there, and if you read through this thread there are several useful posts with information on how to go about it, plus lots of advice!

[Elma]

Thanks for the reply I do not have specific dates unfortunately, although my Albert Godfrey died in the spring of 1949.
Many thanks anyway.
ELMA

[sailorbaz]

Thanks for your reply. I believe Maurice Hemming worked for the GWR from 1911 to 1914, initially at Snowhill, Birmingham and spent some time at Banbury. He joined the army in 1914 and I believe he was assigned to the Oxfordshire Ironstone Railway which was being built then. He later served in Salonika.
I'll try the records at Kew.
Thanks again
Barry

[jofreegard]

Hi
From the staff books I know that my great grandfather - Stewart King received a commendation in August 1911, but I don't know what for. Is that kind of news in the staff magazines? If so, could you have a look for me please? The details I know are:
Stewart King born July 1872, worked as porter at Bridport from September 1898 and Calne from February 1905. Reference to testimonials: 26782.

Many thanks, look forward to hearing from you :smile5:

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi jofreegard,

I have looked at the 1911 GWR staff magazine till the December issue but without success. So sorry to draw a blank (again!).

If it helps, the "Staff commendations" in 1911 are for actions like "detecting a broken coupling" or "alertness in securing the arrest of a bicycle thief" or "prompt action in dealing with a wagon on fire". Many are fire and theft related.

[jofreegard]

Thanks for looking for my last request, it's a shame we cannot get more details. Thanks for suggesting the type of things people were commended for - some idea is better than none.

Do you think you could look for an obituary for me now please?
The details I know are:
Doreen King worked as a bookings clerk at Calne station. She died on 8th March 1947 and we know that GWR representatives went to her funeral.

Looking forward to hearing from you - this is such a great thing you are doing!

Thanks
Jo

[SwindonLibrary]

Aargh! The curse strikes again.

I have searched through the HUNDREDS of obits and other staff notices and had no luck - we lookd through the entire remainder of 1947 with no success. Local press for Calne may be the best bet - try the WSHC at Chippenham (too far south for our newspaper holdings).

The puzzle is that there are almost no women listed (we only spotted 1 in those 9 months!) which is odd as there were many working for the GWR. It may be that only men were members of the GW Provident Soc (who supplied 75% of the obits). Others here will know more than us on this subject.

[mickgall]

Hello

would it be possible to do a look up for Edward Albert Gall. In the 1911 census he is shown as a railway groom, which I take to mean working with horses (he had been a driver with the Royal Field Artillery for 10 years), maybe in the parcels/goods delivery section of the railway. The address shown is Kensington so I'm guessing he was mavbe based at Paddington or Old Oak Common. From 1914-17 he did war service. From 1917 -1946 he was a railwayman. He died 1/1/1946, his death cert shows him as railwayman retired and living in Slough. I'm not 100% sure he was GWR, just taking a guess given the places where he lived.
Many thanks
Mick

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi MIck,

I have checked the first 6 months of the 1946 GWR staff magazine and there is no mention of Mr Gall's death.
The only other entry we found was searching the railway records on Ancestry:

Name: Edward Albert Gall
Birth Date: 19 Dec 1880
Age: 15
Residence Date: Oct 1896
Station: Paddington
Company: Great Western
Class Number: 264
Piece: 358
Description: Register of uniformed staff No.2 F & G 1872-1915.

If this is him then I suggest reading through the other posts in this thread and finding out how to track down his GWR staff record.

Best of luck!

[mickgall]

yep thats him
thanks for the quick reply
Mick

[joehudd]

May I ask if there are any entries for a Henry Ashford in the staff magazine .he was born 8th january 1849 and he joined gwr on the 9th of february 1865. he went through many promotions from what i have seen of his records and many ummm situations.census records show him as a railway engine driver. he retired on the 5th of may 1915. his son was also a railway engine driver from what census records say but i cant find his records.
thanks joe

[SwindonLibrary]

Just to say we have spotted your message Joe and will take a look at next opportunity.
With those dates it is only really his retirement that may appear - or his death as an obituary.

[Graultte]

Hi Swindon Library

I am looking for any detail on William Skellett - Based at Paddington Station as a Horsekeeper
Started 1888 not sure when he finished was commended in August 1911
Also fined for
Being absent from duty in oct 1889
Moving a wagon without assistance which led to a horse being fatally injured july 1894

Any additional information would be fabulous

Kind regards

Kate

[SwindonLibrary]

Kate

I have checked through the staff commendations in the GWR staff magazine for July - December 1911 and unfortunately can find no record of William Skellett. The magazine does not list fines so the other incidences would not be recorded.

Your best bet may be to search through the staff records. I suggest reading through the other posts in this thread and finding out how to track down his GWR staff record at the National Archives.

Regards

Swindon Library

[SwindonLibrary]

May I ask if there are any entries for a Henry Ashford in the staff magazine .he was born 8th january 1849 and he joined gwr on the 9th of february 1865. he went through many promotions from what i have seen of his records and many ummm situations.census records show him as a railway engine driver. he retired on the 5th of may 1915. his son was also a railway engine driver from what census records say but i cant find his records.
thanks joe
Hi Joe,

Can we just check if someone has got back to you already?
We think a colleague may have replied to you via email but are not sure.
I have justg checked the 1915 GWR Magazine from May onwards with no success.
Have you tried contacting David Colcomb?

Swindon Collection
Central Library

[johnmears]

My father Samuel Charles Mears joined GWR on 27 June 1927. His employee number was 85206 aand he started as a porter at great Bedwyn. I know that for a while he was a messenger boy in London and by 1932 he was a porter at Windsor Station. During the war I believe he acted as a guard on trains bring back deceased soldiers from France - which caused him to have a breakdown - and after the war he returned to the parcels office at Windsor station. He did not believe in nationalisation and resigned in 1947.
Can you please tell me how I can verify these facts and where I might find more information.
John Mears

[SwindonLibrary]

Hello John,
If you read back through this thread there are several very helpful posts that can help you track down staff records. Try these avenues first and if you are still stuck then post again.
Best wishes!

[Blues Mark]

I m looking for anything on William Abraham Wilcox who was a railway signalman from 1901 onwards, probably a few years before. Do you / would you have any information on him? i think he worked in the Birmingham area in 1911 and Water Orton in 1901 so that might come under LMS rather than GWR but may feature ina more general publication.

[SwindonLibrary]

Hi,
Again, we ask if you could take a read through this thread first, in which there can be found lots of useful information. We suggest starting by trying to obtain whatever staff records survive. Take a look back over the rest of the posts on this topic and see if it helps you get started.

Best wishes

[Flutterbys]

Hello. My great grandfather William Darvill was a forman for the GWR in THE 1800S and my grandfather Henry William Darvill
As a child I was taken to see the Pulman carriages with the family name in gold letters on the sides
I have not been able to find out more and would be very interested if anyone can enlighten me please.

[StintonLomas]

Hi

http://www.britishrailways.info/pullman_cars.htm

I found a list of existing pullmans but i can't find any male names on the early ones, though there are a few on the recent builds.

It might be possible to get further info from this group (email address on page 2) http://www.
semgonline.com/coach/coupe/PCP2011.pdf or the National Railway Museum at York.