The picture was probably taken in the period 1908 - 1912, when the SRMs were painted in lined brown - the earliest models were brown and cream. Slightly later models such as this one also had a sliding window removed, and replaced by a special water filler cap.
During this period, the Winchcombe station master was a chap called William Edwards, who lived in the station master's house with his family and a booking clerk as lodger.
Subsequently Graham Peel, one of our readers, wrote in to say William Edwards was his uncle. Having done a bit of family research, he came up with the following details about his life, which we are permitted to share with you:
William Edwards:
a) Born Cassington (nr Oxford) 1866. 2nd child (of 10)
of Joseph Edwards, Railway Platelayer.
b) 1870 - family moves to Lower Oddington, Glos.
c) 1871, living at Lower Oddington.
d) 1881, Railway Clerk living at Shipton under Wychwood, and
presumably working at the station there.
e) 1891, Railway Clerk, living at Bourton on the Water, and
presumably working at the station there.
f) 1895: Married Martha Downes at Bridgnorth, while
presumably working at the station there.
g) 1901: Railway Station Master living in the parish of St
Philip and St James, and therefore presumably working at St James Station.
h) 1911; Railway Station Master at Winchcombe.
Where else he worked after that and when he retired
is not known. I believe it likely he died between 1920-1930. He had only one
child, a daughter.
Apart from his father, at least two of his siblings worked
on the railway, as did one of his brothers-in-law - my grandfather, who lived at
Over Norton when working as a ganger.
We are always interested in historical facts about the Honeybourne line in GWR and BR days, so do not hesitate to send us (electronic) copies of photographs, or tales of your family members.
4 comments:
Mr Edwards' staff records will be available at Kew of course, if his relation would like to follow that up.
Which is the driver and which the fireman? My money is on the driver being the one in the flat cap.
They are both young though.
The driver is standing in the driver's entrance (a sliding door) and the fireman is looking out of one of the two sliding windows by the boiler. The third sliding window has been modified into a fixed water filler cap.
Does anyone know when that bridge deck was replaced, or why it was replaced?
Bridge deck? Replaced late 1940's I think I read....
Steve
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