THE RAILWAY REVIEW

18TH JANUARY 1884

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THE RAILWAY REVIEW

21ST MARCH 1884

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THE RAILWAY REVIEW

2ND MAY 1884

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THE RAILWAY REVIEW

13TH JUNE 1884

A DANGEROUS SPOT 

On Thursday morning, Mr S.F. Langham held an inquest at St Bartholomew's Hospital on the body of William Ballad Fox, dwelling in Victoria Place, St. George's Road, Peckham, who was knocked down and killed by a locomotive on the railway between Brockley and New Cross. The driver of the engine said when he passed the spot he saw "hundreds of children at play on the line. Some placed their heads upon the line and waited till the train was close upon them before they would get out of the way. There was another train going towards the Palace, and witness saw several of the children get in front of it and wave their hands. When the driver of the engine blew his whistle they paid little attention to it, and he was obliged to stop. Witness saw the deceased run in front of his engine, and though he called out to him and blew his whistle, he paid no attention, and before witness could stop the engine it knocked the deceased down. Fortunately, however, he was enabled to pull up in time to prevent the wheels going over the deceased. There were hundreds of narrow escapes on holidays at this spot. The jury returned a verdict "Accidental death," and expressed a strong opinion that this spot ought to more adequately protected.

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

4TH JULY 1884

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

18TH JULY 1884

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THE RAILWAY REVIEW

12TH SEPTEMBER 1884

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THE RAILWAY REVIEW

19TH SEPTEMBER 1884

LONDON, BRIGHTON AND SOUTH COAST ENGINEMEN AND FIREMEN

MEETING AT BATTERSEA

On Thursday evening, September 4th, a meeting of enginemen and firemen was held at 8 p.m., to hear the delegates report of their interview with the locomotive superintendent on the 2nd ult.

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

26TH SEPTEMBER 1884

FATAL ACCIDENT TO A MEMBER OF THE A.S.RS.

The Battersea Branch Secretary writes:- Brother W. Skittrill met with a fatal accident at East Croydon, on Sunday morning, at eight o'clock. He leaves a widow and six children to mourn his loss. He was a good member. He joined the society in September, 1877, so that the poor widow and orphans are entitled to the benefits of the Orphan Fund of the society.

DISGRACEFUL SCENE AT THE FUNERAL

A correspondent, writing to the general secretary says:- 

"It is with regret that I have to notify to you the death of T. Skittrall, fireman of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company stationed at Battersea. This unfortunate man met his death in a most cruel manner on Tuesday morning, the 14th inst. He was engaged fetching a bucket of water to lay the dust from a tub under the water column at East Croydon station. On returning to his engine he had to cross the down local line, when the 7.16 a.m. train from London to Croydon dashed up and killed him instantaneously. The poor man was shockingly mutilated 'beyond recognition.' He leaves a wife and six little children to morn his loss.

I am pleased to inform you that though for Skittrall was only in receipt of 4s. per day to keep a wife and six little children on, he set an example to all railwaymen by provision he made when alive, to help to support his and family. He was a good member of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, and worked with a will in trying to induce others to become members, and he was one of the most ardent admirers of the good done to widows and orphan by the society, and he was one who never tired in trying to do good to the Orphan Fund. If there was any work to be done with reference to it poor Skittrall was sure to take a large share, and he has left behind him a name that will never die.

His widow will have great reason to be proud of the name she bears, as by his forethought and self-denial, he was enabled to keep his clubs paid up, and now Mrs. Skittrall will be the recipient of 6s. per week from the Orphan Fund of the A.S.R.S.

A most scandalous affair in connection with the above was the state in which the undertaker at Croydon made the coffin which contained poor Skittrall's remains. It was neither pitched nor anything else done to it to make it air and water tight. The result you can easily imagine, in fact, at the grave side, I and others saw part of it broken away, with blood dripping through the same. Another scandal in connection with the funeral, which took place on Saturday last, the 20th inst., at West Brompton Cemetery, was the refusal by the chapel doorkeeper to allow the corpse to be placed in the chapel. I asked the undertaker who was responsible for such a disgraceful proceeding, and he referred me to the doorkeeper as before stated, and said that he had done all that he could do to gain the admission to the corpse to the chapel. I contend that this act was a gross and wilful injustice to the poor widow and children, and also to the deceased's fellow workmen who followed him to the grave to the number of nearly 100.

I may mention that Skittrall took an active part in the agitation in the loco. department of the L.B. and S.C. Railway company of 1883. He was the corresponding secretary for Battersea district, and obtained 176 signatures out of a gross total of 182. He gave his whole mind and soul to his work, and was greatly instrumental in bringing the movement to a successful termination. for the part he took in this affair he was presented with the sum of £5 and an address by the enginemen and firemen of the L.B. and S.C. Railway at a cricket match and supper. If any of your readers should be disposed to open a subscription towards placing a tombstone over his grave, I should be only too pleased to add my mite; and either take charge of the same, or allow the editor of the the Railway Review, or any other person to do so. Mr. J. Richardson, June., booked as many off to attend as he possibly could."  

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

17TH OCTOBER 1884

The widow of the late brother Skitroll made application for the Orphan Fund and accidental death grants, and it was resolved that the same be recommended to the general office; and it was also resolved that the secretary write a letter of condolence to her, and that she be granted £2 from the Benevolent Fund.

    

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

31ST OCTOBER 1884

Poor Skittroll's left this world of care,

I trust for one more bright and fair.

Yet how sad it is to think

Of his mates thus hurried o'er the brink

Of death, without a moment left

To breathe a prayer for those bereft

Of a father good and kind: -

I hope kind friends and help they'll find

He left his home in health and strength,

Ne'er thinking how short was the length

Of his stay on earth to be, -

Not e'em another night to see.

No doubt he bade his wife good night

With cheerful mile, and heart quite light,

Thinking, when his toll was done,

Another day's bread had been won.

But such, alas! was not to be,

No wife and family to see;

For, shortly after break of day,

Across the rails he mangled lay,-

A shocking, sickening, shapeless mass, -

Not breath to say, "Farewell, dear lass,"

To his dear wife and children six,

No once more in their romps to mix.

I knew him well! Of genial heart,

And always first to take a part,

In helping a mates, and all distressed,

So far his chicks let's do our best.

A grand example he has shown

To those who now their lot bemoan -

They can't afford, or else they would

Join hand in hand for common good.

H.B.

* the surname has been spelt three different ways in the Railway Review reports

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

26TH SEPTEMBER 1884

At last there is some prospect of the drivers' agitation on the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway being settled. It will be remembered that in the early part of 1883 a definite agreement was arrived at respecting hours and wages, and on that occasion the unanimity of feelings was shown by the fact that out of 660 men in that grade, 616 attached their names to the memorial. It had, however, not been in existence more than ten months when a definite attempt was made to evade some of clauses of the agreement on the Southern Division of that line. The men, however, resolved to resist this to the uttermost, and all divisions organised themselves for this purpose. Personal difficulties have, however, been in the way of a deputation meeting the Locomotive Superintendent, but these difficulties have now been removed, and a promise has been made that the men's claims shall be decided early in October. It is to be hoped that this decision will be satisfactory both to the company and the men.   

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

7TH NOVEMBER 1884

A shocking accident occurred on Monday night at Hayward's heath Station. A lady alight from the train from Lewes arriving at 6.15 p.m. Her ticket being a return from Redhill to Cook's-bridge, she waited on the platform for her train. During the interval the express train from Eastbourne to London passed through; the lady rushed from her seat and fell in front of the train, which passed over her. Her body was fearfully mutilated. It was subsequently ascertained that the name of the deceased lady was Channell (Channere), and that she belonged to Tyler's Green, Penn, Bucks.   

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

5TH DECEMBER 1884

A Brighton correspondent writes:- I am very sorry to have to report a serious accident that occurred to the 4.15 a.m. Brighton to Eastbourne goods on Saturday last at Hailsham, causing serious injury to one of our drivers and head guard through running into stop buffers, and I have also to express disgust at the treatment received by the injured driver and guard, the former having his collar bone and several ribs injured, and it is believed that he has internal injury also. The guard’s skull is severely injured, and he is now suffering with concussion of the brain. After being attended to by a local doctor they were put into a carriage with no attendance, to be forward to Brighton Hospital, a distance of twenty three miles. On arriving at Polegate, three miles from Hailsham, the inspector, being the exhausted state of the men, spoke strongly about such treatment, and on his own responsibility, I believe, conveyed the injured men to Brighton, where no provision had been made, and I am informed that they had to wait twenty minutes after arrival before being moved out of the carriage, and you may fro, some estimate of their feelings when being conveyed along the platform on two chairs mounted on a luggage truck. I should like to ask where the stretcher and invalid carriage, provided at this station, were and who are the responsible persons to blame in this affair. I can remember a dog belonging to this company receiving much better treatment than this.  

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

12TH DECEMBER 1884

In our issue of last week, on page 13, appeared a communication from a Brighton correspondent respecting an accident which occurred to a goods train, by which a driver and guard were injured, and the Brighton officials are charged with inhumanity. From information since to hand it appears that not blame whatever can be attached to the officials at Brighton. for, although they were not advised of the accident, immediately on the arrival of the injured men at that station the ambulance was got out, a horse sent for, and they were conveyed to the infirmary - in spite of the early hour of the morning - with all possible despatch. It would seem that if there was any delay at all it arose from the fact of the officials at Polegate omitting to telegraph to Brighton, advising that station that two injured men were coming by that particular train; and had this been done, the Brighton Officials would have had the ambulance in waiting for them. Correspondents cannot  be too careful in ascertaining real facts before rushing into print, for we, of the Railway Review, have a great aversion to "eating the leek." 

ACCIDENT AT HAILSHAM

Sir, - Referring to the above, as reported in your paper last week, will you allow me to site the facts as far as I know them, as your Brighton correspondent's report seems to me misleading. The injured men arrived at Polegate at 12.25 p.m., and were sent on by the 12.29 p.m. train. Seeing the mew were unaccompanied, I informed the stationmaster, who at once ordered me to take them to Brighton, which I did. On arrival at Lewes they were moved from one train to another on two chairs and a luggage trolley, in my opinion, the best thing we could have done. On arrival at Brighton I informed the station superintendent, who was on the platform, what had happened, and he at once ordered the invalid carriage to be taken alongside the train, which was done by his staff, while they were getting a horse from a parcel van standing at the parcel office. The men were lifted out of the train into the invalid carriage, by which time the horse was attached, and they were taken to the hospital, the whole being under the superintendent's personal supervision, and I don't think from the time the train arrival at Brighton until we were clear of the station, fifteen minutes elapsed. Now, sir, you will see by the above, that no time was lost at Brighton, and that from the time was lost at Brighton, and that from the time the men arrived at Polegate until they were left by me in Brighton Hospital, everything was done for their comfort that could be done by the parties concerned. By interesting the above in your in your next issue of the Railway Review, you will greatly oblige.

Yours obediently

J.R. Edwards 

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  STORIES FROM THE SHOVEL

extracted from the R.C.T.S. book of L.B.S.C.R. Locomotice Vol. 2

Tunbridge Wells Driver Osgood whilst working locomotive No. 273 Dornden on 17th December, 1884, when they were working the late night Eastbourne – Tunbridge Wells train. At Heathfield, Major Edwards, a wealthy landowner of Groombridge, ran on to the platform just as the guard was signalling the right away, so he was hurriedly assist into a first-class compartment before the staff noticed he was very drunk. At Mayfield the omission was quickly remedied for he complained bitterly of not having a ticket and on one being supplied he held up the train while he visited the toilet. On returning to his compartment the guard wisely locked both doors and with the crew further thought to the matter until between Rotherfield and Eridge, when the Major suddenly appeared on the footplate complaining that a large dog had chased him out of the carriage window. With understanding the fireman drove off the dog with his shovel, while the driver made their guest comfortable as possible on their coats, whereupon he quickly fell asleep. At Eridge a hasty inspection of the train showed that the compartment had been left through the window and passage to the footplate made along the running boards of two carriages, a feat no sober man could have performed in daylight. Needless to say no fierce dog discovered! The guard, stationmaster and driver agreed that the footplate was the safest place until Groombridge stop, so the train was dispatched and in due course reached that station. There the Major refused to wake up and had to be taken to Tunbridge Wells where a signal stop was made some four hundred yards from the platform. Coming to life quite suddenly the unwanted guest threw off the coats and flung himself off the footplate shouting “Groombridge, Groombridge, all change”. All was silent and as the signal changed to green the train was taken into the station where lanterns were obtained and a search party organised to collect the body. On reaching the scene a stream swollen with flood water was seen at the foot of a steep embankment down which various marks showed the Major's hurried descent. No body could be found, so the course of the stream was followed until it passed in a culvert under the railway line. The search was thereupon abandoned because no one considered a human being could be alive in such a ragging torrent. On return to the station a messenger was sent on a bicycle to the police and the business of stabling the train and the engine commenced, while the guard sat in the stationmaster's office preparing his report. Just as the police arrived and the story was being told, the very young and inexperienced booking clerk called assistance saying “A drunken tramp won't believe that the last train has left for Groombridge and he keeps beating off a huge dog I can't see”. For a moment silence reigned in the office, then there was a concerned rush for the ticket hall where stood the missing Major Edwards, covered in mud, soaking wet and still drunk but also very much alive. After the provision of dry clothing and black coffee, he was sent home by special train little worse for the escapade. Later on learning that the Company was penalising the men concerned, he paid their fines and sent a cheque for £25 to the Widows & Orphan Fund.

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

19TH DECEMBER 1884

FUNERAL OF A MEMBER

The funeral of Brother E, Mitchel, engine driver, who died suddenly at Portsmouth, took place on Tuesday afternoon, 9th inst., at the Extra Mural Cemetery, Brighton, at 2.30 p.m. his fellow mates mustered at the clubhouse, and proceeded to 49, Viaduct Road, where a number of his mates took a last look at his remains. The funeral started about 3 p.m., followed by almost 80 workmen, representing the different departments, headed by Mr. Woodhead (superintendent of the southern division) and Mr. Peel (foreman, Hastings). By the time the cemetery was reached the procession numbered 110, and it being a wet day the funeral sermon was preached in the chapel, after which the minister spoke a few impressive words to those present, and proceeded to the grave. The coffin being lowered and a last look taken the procession reformed proceeded to the entrance gates, and dispersed.

THE RAILWAY REVIEW

26TH DECEMBER 1884

Sir, - I have never written you upon this subject except by the committee’s instructions, as I consider all correspondence passing between you and myself respecting this movement should be official, and such as can be published for the information of your readers, and the members of the Amalgamated Society especially, as they are aware the Executive Council gave their sanction to the movement. The District Committee have throughout been adverse to publishing matters relating to this subject, except such as they considered would serve a useful purpose. They have carefully discussed the matter, and have come to the conclusion that it is their duty to give the company every opportunity to settle the dispute in a satisfactory manner. This, I must say, they have done “in a strictly conscientious manner,” and have never for a moment studied “self interests or personal feelings” such as the officials have done; and I have not the slightest doubt, shoaled the men not gain any satisfaction from the company, the committee will consider it their duty to publish the whole of the correspondence that as taken place, so that the proprietors of the L.B. and S.C. Railways, and the public in general, may have the whole facts of the movement before them. I do not expect to meet the committee of the district again until after Christmas, but should no news be forwarded from them the locomotive superintendent before we meet I anticipate that some active steps will be taken. Referring to the promise made up by the locomotive superintendent to the deputation which aired upon him on Sept. 2nd, he distinctly told the deputation, he was not in the position to grant any concessions, rich would cost the company one single copper, without receiving the sanction of the directors, and he promised “faithfully” to let the directors know what transpired at the interview, and inform the men of their decision about the middle of October. During October the locomotive superintendent could not fulfil his promise, owing to ill health and having to leave home; he has now been at his post some few weeks, and it is with extreme regret that I have to state he has not written one single sentence to the men. Whatever may be his reason for treating the men in such a manner, is more than I can really tell, though I may say, I have my own private opinion upon the subject. I must, however, allow each one to judge for himself as I have no authority to say what the feeling is amongst the men at the present time.

W. ELLISS, 

SECRETARY

BATTERSEA DISTRICT COMMITTEE

P.S. - Since I commenced writing this letter, I have received three communications from gentlemen I have not the pleasure of knowing, asking for information respecting the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway superannuation fund. I have advised them to purchase the Railway Review every Friday. I cannot be expected to answer such letters, as I am a servant of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company, and I have my duty to do towards them; moreover the time for bringing this question to the front has not arrived.       

--------

It will be seen from a letter which appear in another column that no decision has yet been given by the officials to the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway company to the memorial presented by the men in the locomotive department. It will be remembered that a promise was made that a definite reply would be forwarded to the men in October last. There may be, in this instance a sufficient explanation of the delay, but it is rather singular that these official promises made apparently with such good faith, should be forgotten of overlooked. In October, 1883, the locomotive officials on this line made a certain promise to the men which we believe was not fulfilled, and it seems likely that the 1884 promise will share the same fate. This conduct cannily have one result; and that is, it will create in the men’s minds a want of confidence between them and their superior officer, and render impossible those harmonious relations so necessary for the good management and safe working of a railway. It is high time that matters were settled one way or the other. The agitation has been going on in one form or another nearly eighteen months. When a satire on the letter of a delegate published in our columns in the early part of 1883: He therein stated that if the agreement of April was honestly carried out the  company would hear nothing from that department for at least ten years. That little word, “if,” however, or those who rendered its insertion necessary, are entirely to blame for all this rouble