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Newspaper Reports
Croydon’s Weekly Standard 06 December 1879 FATAL ACCIDENT. On Thursday morning, the 4th inst. A sad fatal accident occurred to a man named Thomas Gregory, a native of Castlethorpe. It appears that the poor man, about quarter to six o’clock, was proceeding to his work at Wolverton, and while endeavouring to avoid a passing train, was knocked down by a pilot engine and literally cut to piece. Upon picking up his body it was found minus the head, portions of which we afterwards found lying strewn about in various parts of the line. The body was conveyed to the “Carrington Arms,” to await an inquest. The deceased who was an organist of Castlethorpe church, leaves a large family to mourn his loss. Croydon’s Weekly Standard 13 December 1879 INQUEST. An inquest was held at the Carrington Arms, before J. Worley, Esq., on Saturday last, touching the death of Thomas Gregory, who was killed on the line on the previous Thursday. George Sprittles said: I live at Castlethorpe, and am a labourer. I knew deceased. He lived at Castlethorpe, and was a turner and fitter, working at Wolverton Station, where he had been employed about 20 years. His age is about 40. On Thursday morning, about six o’clock, I was passing along the line between Castlethorpe and Wolverton and found deceased lying in the four-foot way, on the down side. The place was about a mile from Castlethorpe. I noticed his back was bare, and I put my hand to it and found it warm. I moved the body out of the four-foot. I did not notice it particularly. It was dark, and I not know it was deceased, Thomas Gregory. There was no sign of life, and I did not know the body was mutilated. A policeman’s hut was about 250 yards nearer to Castlethorpe. I went there and borrowed a light, and on going back I saw a head lying in the six-foot way, about three or four yards from the body. Two men then came up, who were on their way to Wolverton, and I then returned the light to the policeman at his hut and told him about the body, and then proceeded to my work. I had not seen any train pass before I came to the body, I had come about 250 yards along the line. I believe deceased was in the habit of going along the line to his work. The men living at Castlethorpe usually go that way to their work. Deceased’s basket laid two or three yards from his feet. Edward Robinson said: I live at Hanslope, and am a foreman platelayer on the line. My work lay between Castlethorpe and Wolverton. Last Thursday I got to my work at seven o’clock, and at a quarter past I found the body of the deceased lying on the outside of the down line. It was too much mutilated to be recognised, but I knew the basket to be Gregory’s. I noticed marks on the line. Deceased appeared to have been dragged about twenty-two yards along the down line. At that point, just above where the body was, I noticed remains of his head, as if it had been smashed on the rail next the six-foot of the down line. I moved the body on my trolley to Castlethorpe. I have been on the length between Castlethorpe and Wolverton about seven years. I knew deceased. He was in the habit of going to and from his work daily along the line. The time for him to be at Wolverton would be six o’clock. It was rather a cloudy morning. A great many men walk to and from their work.-Job Cowley said: I live at Castlethorpe, and am a signalman, stationed at the box at Castlethorpe crossing. On the 4th of December the witness Sprittles called at my cabin at six minutes past six o’clock in the morning, and stated he had found a body on the line about 250 yards south of my box. I told him to take my lamp and see who it was. H e seemed as if he did not care to go, but I pressed him to do so as I could not leave my box. When he came back he said he could not recognise the body. I telegraphed to Wolverton. I had a train shunted in the loop line opposite to my box at 5.40, and it remained for the Irish Mail to pass by, which it did at 5.41, and at 5.43 the train passed from the loop into the main up-line and went on. At 5.47 a light engine and an up coal train would meet at about the place where deceased was found. An empty wagon train had passed my box at 5.36. It would take about twenty minutes to walk from my box to the works at Wolverton, along the line. The men can get into the works up to 6.16 in the morning. I heard men pass that morning, but did not look out. They are allowed to go along the line from Castlethorpe to work. I have frequently seen deceased passing to and from work. He usually was looking down in walking along. He was often last going and returning. It would not be unusual to be going alone. His age is 39. He has worked at the works for twenty years or more. The jury returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally killed whilst proceeding along the line to his work. FUNERAL. The funeral of Thomas Gregory, who was killed on the Railway, on Thursday, December 4th, as recorded in our columns of last week, took place at St. Jude’s Church Castlethorpe, on Tuesday last, which was crowded to excess. The Rev. M. A. Nicholson, vicar of St. James’ Church Hanslope assisted by the Rev. Wigglesworth, curate, officiated at the ceremony. Miss A. Varney presided at the organ, and the choir sang “The dead march in Saul, together with Nos. 400 and 225 of Hymns Ancient and Modern, revised edition. Deceased was followed to the grave by a large number of relatives and friends, and the Members of the Royal Progress Lodge of the National Independent order of Oddfellows, of which lodge deceased was treasurer: and also by members of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers and Millwrights, and members of the Wesleyan Benefit Society, both of which societies deceased was also a member: and a large number of his fellow workmen from Wolverton. The coffin, which was of polished oak, was literally heaped up with flowers after it was lowered into the grave. Deceased was 39 years of age, and leaves a wife and seven children to mourn his loss. The following is another account furnished to us by a correspondent. Last week was recorded the very sad and fatal accident which befell Mr. T. Gregory, the organist and choir master of the above parish. His death was mentioned with much feeling by the vicar and curate in their sermons at Castlethorpe, on Sunday. The awful sadness with which their friend and teacher had been taken from, as it were, their very midst, was impressively dwelt upon by the vicar, more especially addressing himself to the members of the choir, for whose instruction and improvement Mr. Gregory had laboured with unwearied patience and devotion. His loss in this respect will be irreparable, and his steady, earnest life was an influence and an example to all those whom he had to do, which we trust will yet speak in their memories, who have lost in him the ready sharer in any innocent recreation, and the friend who tried to lead them to feel that life has a fuller meaning than the present moment, that all have the responsibility he never shirked of being much help to one another. The funeral of Mr. T. Gregory took place at Castlethorpe on Tuesday last, and was attended, not only by the relatives of deceased, but by the members of different clubs, and by numerous friends, who wished then to show their feeling for one who had gained the esteem and respect of all who knew him. The service was performed by the Rev. M. A. Nicholson, and appropriate hymns were sung by the choir. Croydon’s Weekly Standard 14 January 1882 FATAL ACCIDENT. On Wednesday evening last a soldier named Evans, belonging to the Grenadier Guards, was walking along the London and North-Western Railway towards Castlethorpe, and in getting out of the way of an express train and a train of empty carriages on the fast lines got into the slow line and was knocked down by an empty wagon train which was coming in another direction. One leg was cut off and he was otherwise mangled. When picked up, he was found to be quite dead. His remains were taken to the Carrington Arms to await an inquest. Croydon’s Weekly Standard 21 January 1882 INQUEST. The inquest touching the death of Charles Evans, who was killed upon the railway on Wednesday week, which we briefly reported in our last week's issue, took place at the Carrington Arms Inn on Friday, the 13th inst., before E. T. Worley, Esq,. deputy coroner, and a respectable jury. After hearing the evidence of Richard Evans, father of the deceased; Alfred Brownsell, labourer; and William Bird signalman, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death. Croydon’s Weekly Standard 05 June 1886 DESPERATE STRUGGLE IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE. Axel Edwin Agerstrom, 28, and David Charles, 32, seamen, were brought up at Marylebone Police Court on Tuesday, June 1, for being drunk and damaging a railway carriage to the amount of 20s., the property of the London and North-Western Railway Company. Agerstrom was further charged with assaulting Edward Byrne. The evidence of Francis Fickie, guard in the employ of the Company, was that he had charge of the afternoon express from Liverpool to Euston on Monday, in which was a party of sailors, amongst them being the prisoners. Between Castlethorpe and Wolverton a first-class passenger pulled the communication cord, and the train was stopped. It was then discovered that a violent disturbance had taken place between the sailors and the other passengers in the carriage, and that during the struggle the windows had been broken, the blinds torn down, and the seats besmeared with blood. Byrne, who had been assaulted, and who had a large wound on his forehead, had climbed out of the window while the train was in motion to escape from his assailants, and had to stand on the foot-board. The occupants of the carriage were separated and brought on to Euston, where the defendants, who were still drunk, were given into custody. Mr. de Rutzen said he could not deal with the matter of the damage, as it was committed in Northamptonshire, but for being drunk they could each have to pay 20s., or in default seven days’ imprisonment.
Another account furnished by a contemporary say: “On Monday as a party of men under ganger Arnold were at work at the water trough situated some little distance to the south of Castlethorpe Station, and well known to all travellers on the L. & N.W. Railway, their attention was attracted to the mid-day express from Liverpool to London, and they were surprised to see a door fly open and a man get out and make his way along the foot-board. Noticing the train, which at the time was going at the full speed of sixty miles an hour, was slackening, they hastened to learn what was the matter. It seems a gentleman who was travelling in a first-class compartment with a glass front saw a man come round from the coach in front, and seat himself on the coupling. The fellow was in a very excited state, his face was cut and his clothes torn, and, suspecting something was wrong, he pulled the communication cord, and the train was stopped almost immediately. The passengers were naturally much alarmed, and eager to know the cause of the sudden pulling up. Several left their seats, and on the guard, Francis Fickie, and several Post office officials who travelled with the train, going to see what was the matter, the man, whose name was Byrne, told him in a rambling manner that he had been assaulted by his two fellow passengers. All three were foreign seamen, and were on there journey from Liverpool to London. A dispute arose on the journey, during which he was attacked by the other two, and during the melle the window was smashed and serious other damage done to the carriage interior. Fearing something serious might follow, Byrne left the compartment, and was eventually discovered in the dangerous position described above. On the guard going to the carriage one of the occupants made his way to another compartment, leaving the third man, who was drunk and had some blood upon his clothes, lying on the floor. The man was roused up and locked in the compartment by himself. Byrne was then taken into the guard’s van, and the train proceeded on its journey. On the way to London, Bryne made a charge of assault against his fellow travellers. On arriving at Euston both men who gave their names Axel Agerstrom and David Charles were given into custody, and were yesterday brought before Mr. de Rutzen, at the Marylebone Police Court, and fined for being drunk. It seems almost a miracle that Byrne was not killed in escaping from his infuriated companions, but being a sailor, may probably account for his marvellous escape. How long the altercation had been going on it is impossible to say, but judging from the weakened condition of the compartment, it must have been some considerable time. The express in which the outrage occurred is one of the fastest during the day, performing the distance between Liverpool and London in four and a half hours, and in ordinary circumstances only stops at Crewe and Rugby. Many exaggerated reports were current in Castlethorpe and the district on Monday night and Tuesday, it being widely circulated that the men, who were stated to have been stripped to their shirts, had stabbed each other. From what we have been able to learn from eye-witnesses, this is not the case, and the men fought with nothing than their fists. The Bucks Standard 30 January 1892 FATAL FALL FROM A TRAIN.- Early on Wednesday morning, Jan 27, as the up auxiliary mail was nearing Castlethorpe, some of the passengers thought they saw a man fall from the train. The train perused on its course to Blisworth, where the matter was reported to the night station-master there, who was .... carriage to search the line. The Castlethorpe officials were also advised by wire, and the station-master (Mr. Day) was called up, and with a search party went down the line. Within a few hundred yards from the station a poor fellow was observed on the line with both his legs cut off, evidently having fallen from the train and been run over by a following one. The special engine and carriage conveyed the poor fellow to Northampton, where he was removed to the Infirmary. When found he was sensible, but in a very weak condition, and he has since died at the Infirmary.-The name and address of the deceased is said to be John Cockerill, 64, Blair-street, Poplar, London, and he is probably 40 or 50 years of age. A seaman’s authority to claim wages, dated Jan. 26, at Liverpool, was found on the body. An inquest was held at the Infirmary on Thursday morning, before C. C. Becke, Esq., Borough Coroner, the jury, owing to the meagre evidence produced, returning an open verdict to the effect that deceased, died falling out of a train, but how he fell out there was no evidence to show. The Bucks Standard 21 May 1892 SHOCKING DISCOVERY ON THE RAILWAY.- On Sunday morning, May 15, about 3.30, the diver of an up goods train on the London & N.-Western Railway stopped at Castlethorpe Station box and reported that he had noticed the body of a man lying on the line. The signalman on duty sent word to the Stationmaster, who, with some platelayers, went down the line to the place indicated, a bridge about a mile and a half from the station, where the body was found. The deceased, who was decapitated, appeared to be about 35 years of age, and was dressed in a dark tweed suit. No money was found on him, but a piece of paper with some writing on. This, however, could not be deciphered, and consequently it is not known who he is, or how he got on the line. The body was removed to the Carrington Arms, Castlethorpe, to await an inquest.-The inquest was held at the Carrington Arms Inn on Monday, May 16, before E. T. Worley, Esq., deputy coroner, and the following jury: Messrs. Joseph Compton (foreman), J. H. Groves, W. Panter, J. Capp, J. Nichols, J. Cowley, J. Gregory, J. Woodland, T. Gostlow, T. Clarke, W. Arnold, and J. Feasey. After viewing the body, the following evidence was addressed:-John Olney, parish constable, Castlethorpe, stated that about 3.40 on Sunday morning, Bird, the signalman, called him to go up and search the line, which he did. When at the 55¼ post (in the parish of Hanslope) he found the body of deceased lying between the up fast and the down slow lines. The head, which was severed from the body, was lying in the four-foot way. There were no signs of a struggle having taken place, and the clothes were all in order. He got help and moved the body, and reported the matter to Police-constable Foster at Hanslope. Mr. Day, the stationmaster, found on the bridge a hat, which he examined, and found the piece of paper produced stuck in the lining of the hat. He could decipher the words “I have done this, R. Beefing.” The name was very illegible.-Arthur Day, stationmaster, Castlethorpe, stated that he accompanied the last witness, and he corroborated what he stated as to the finding of the body. He should say deceased was about 32 years of age, and 5ft. 9in, in height. From what he saw he was quite satisfied that the deceased committed suicide.-Police-sergeant John Pearman, Stony Stratford, stated that he had stripped the body of deceased and should say he was about 27 years of age, 5ft. 9in. in height, and 11 stone in weight. He had a vaccination mark on the left arm, scars on right shin, outside of right knee, and top of head. He found in a pocket part of an envelope (produced), the printed address on which was “Mr. A. Wilks, Blotwich Works, Blotwich, near Walsall,” and on the reverse side was some reference to a cash bag. He was dressed in a white undervest, coloured Oxford shirting, dark tweed coat with a light stripe, and waistcoat to match. The boots were nearly new. The witness had retained all the clothes.-The jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased committed suicide, but that there was no evidence as to state of mind at the time.-We gather from the police that the deceased had the appearance of a mechanic out of work, and had undoubtedly tramped some distance during the two or three days previous to his death, as his feet were very much blistered. On reverse of the printed envelope were some measurements and figures, which appeared to relate to the making of fittings for dressing bags. The writing on the piece of paper in deceased’s hat was very illegible, and the name as deciphered may not be correct. The Bucks Standard 28 May 1892 CASTLETHORPE THE RECENT SUICIDE.- The man whose body was found on the railway near this village, with his head decapitated, a report of which appeared in our last issue, has been identified by his wife as George Hamblett, age 35, carpet bag and portmanteau frame maker, of 3, Bull-lane, Bloxwich, near Walsall. Deceased left his house on Thursday, May 12. The funeral took place on Wednesday, May 18. The Bucks Standard 22 August 1896 SHOCKING SUICIDE ON THE LINE:- On Saturday morning Mr. E. T. Worley, deputy coroner, held an inquest at the Carrington Arms Inn, Castlethorpe, relatives to the death of Thomas Hurst, aged 67, labourer, of Hanslope, who was killed on the line about a mile from Castlethorpe Station on the Hanslope side on Friday morning by being knocked down by the 9.40 train from Rugby.- Harriet Nicholson, Hanslope, a married daughter of the deceased, identified the body, and said her father was at one time a labourer in Wolverton Works. Deceased for some time past had been working for Mr. Checkley, but was discharged the day before his death owing to the strangeness of his actions. Deceased had been very strange in manner for a long time past. Deceased left home on Friday morning about nine o'clock, and she did not see him again alive. She had never heard her father threaten to commit suicide, but on his return from his work on Thursday he complained of being ill, but made no trouble of losing his work. - William Horrell, engine driver of the London and North-Western Railway Company, deposed that he was in charge of the 9.40 passenger train from Rugby on Friday. When about half a mile from Castlethorpe Station he saw deceased on the down line. He was apparently looking at some object on the line, and witness whistled to him. Witness's attention was then directed to his boiler, but a moment after he felt a concussion, and his mate told him they had knocked a man down. When he first saw deceased witness was on the up line and the deceased on the down line, so that deceased must have crossed over two lines of rails to the up line. On arrival at the Station he gave information of what had occurred.- Richard Lee, fireman of the train in question, deposed that he saw the man on the line. He could just see him over the buffer, and he appeared to be lying across the rails. Before witness could speak to the driver the train was over him. He did not think the man could have got in the position witness saw him in unless he purposely put himself in the position.- Henry Woodland, a platelayer on the line, stated that on Friday morning he was following the 9.40 train from Rugby on a trolley. When he got by the bridge near Hanslope he found the body, which was in a frightful condition of mutilation, and was completely cut in two. Although he knew deceased he failed to recognise the body owing to its mutilation. Witness added that he had previously warded deceased off the line.- In reply to the jury, he said the Stationmaster found the deceased's coat on the bank near where he was killed. - The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during temporary insanity." The Wolverton Express 30 July 1898 DISTRESSING FATALITY ON THE RAILWAY. On Wednesday last, shortly after tree o’clock, a plate-layer named Joseph Cosby, residing at Bradwell, met with a fearful death on the London and North-Western Railway, being cut to pieces by the 2.10 p.m. corridor express from Euston. Deceased who was a married man with nine children, did not observe the approach of the train, and thus lost his life. His remains were taken to the Carrington Arms Hotel, Castlethorpe, to await the inquest. The Wolverton Express 12 June 1901 CASTLETHORPE TRAFFIC GREATLY DELAYED On Saturday evening, about seven o’clock a goods train travelling on the down slow line close to Castlethorpe was observed to be on fire, and was at once stopped. The fire was found to be in some wagons laden with creosoted sleepers. About four or five of the wagons got fully alight, the materials being of a most inflammable nature. The engine and part of the train were detached and as there was not an abundant supply of water in the vicinity, the fire had to burn itself out. The smoke and flames were most intense, and the heat thrown out made it impossible for anything to pass for quite two hours, traffic being absolutely stopped. The Irish boat train was kept waiting upwards of an hour and a half in Wolverton Station, and the train, due at Northampton at 7.[00] did not reach there much before 9.30. The up expresses were equally delayed but within an hour and a half the down fast line and the up slow were made available, the two inside sets of rails alone being useless. The permanent way on which the wagons stood caught fire, and was soon a mass of flame. The Bletchley breakdown service brought to the scene, and after some hours work traffic was restored. Fortunately, it being Saturday night some of the usual trains were not running, but the goods traffic was subject to a considerable amount of delay. The Wolverton Express 20 March 1903 BREAKDOWN ON THE L. AND N.W. RAILWAY Early on Tuesday morning a goods train was travelling on the up slow line, when just outside Castlethorpe Station a wagon axle broke. The train kept on its course, the broken wagon, which contained a consignment of vegetables, bumping on chains and sleepers, and doing considerable damage, about 100 chairs being literally smashed to pieces. This went on till Castlethorpe Station was reached, when the wagon, with others following it jumped the platform, doing more damage, at the same time completely blocking the up slow line, and particularly the down slow line. The breakdown gang from Bletchley was at once called to the scene, and traffic began to resume its normal course about 10 a.m. Northampton Mercury 16 September 1904 FALL FROM EXPRESS TRAIN. At dawn Saturday, young man, apparently a seaman, was found lying terribly injured and unconscious on the permanent way of the London and North-Western Railway main line near Castlethorpe. The poor fellow, upon whom was found a ticket from Euston to Liverpool, had evidently fallen from one the three of four fast expresses which run from Euston Liverpool during the night. He proves to be James Blank, of West Derby-road, Liverpool. Lying in six-foot, he was discovered by some the company's workmen. They found that he had sustained terrible injuries to his head. Fortunately, he fell clear of the metals, and escaped being run over by other trains. He was taken to Northampton Hospital by two ambulance men of Wolverton, Messrs. J. Laing and J. Herbert, and at Northampton assistance was rendered by the company's servants, who in such emergencies always act with promptitude and care. At the Northampton Hospital it was found that his skull was seriously injured. At first in a very critical condition and unconscious, the man has made remarkable progress during the week. Northampton Mercury 25 October 1907 FROM EXPRESS TRAIN AT CASTLETHORPE UNKNOWN MAN KILLED A man, at present unknown, met an awful death Castlethorpe early on Thursday morning. He fell from London to Birmingham express, and was killed, probably instantaneously. The train on which the fatality occurred was the midnight from Euston, and the accident was discovered immediately after passing through Castlethorpe Station. When two miles north of Castlethorpe the train was stopped the communication cord being pulled, and when the guard made inquiries he learned from a passenger in third-class compartment that man who had commenced the journey at Euston had disappeared, the passenger who gave the alarm having awakened from sleep to find the door the compartment open and the man gone. The guard advised the signalman duty at the Hanslope box, and he, in turn, communicated with Castlethorpe. Mr. Chandler, the stationmaster Castlethorpe, was called up, and taking with him ambulance stretcher, he boarded goods train that was going towards London, and proceeded along the line and made a search. The Wolverton Express 25 October 1907 DISTRESSING FATALITY ON THE RAILWAY. On Wednesday last, shortly after tree o’clock, a plate-layer named Joseph Cosby, residing at Bradwell, met with a fearful death on the London and North-Western Railway, being cut to pieces by the 2.10 p.m. corridor express from Euston. Deceased who was a married man with nine children, did not observe the approach of the train, and thus lost his life. His remains were taken to the Carrington Arms Hotel, Castlethorpe, to await the inquest. The Wolverton Express 01 November 1907 CASTLETHORPE TRAGEDY THE BODY IDENTIFIED The body of the man found killed recently on the railway at Castlethorpe has been identified as that of Charles Goodall, of 35, George-street, Rugby. Goodall was a fitter employed at Messrs. Willans and Robinson’s electrical engineering works in that town. He belonged to London, and came to Rugby about four months ago. He was married and leaves a wife and two children. The Wolverton Express 03 November 1911 The Station. Castlethorpe Station has secured a 10s, award in the Platform Flower Garden Competition, open to all L. and N.W. Railway Stations. this is the second success in the competition. Northampton Mercury 21 May 1915
ENGINE DRIVING, The "L. and N.W. Railway Gazette" for May, quoting from the “Railway Magazine,” it gives a record of a remarkable run made from Manchester to London by the engine, “Percy Bysshe Shelley," of the Prince of Wales” class. The journey from Manchester to London is 1883/8 miles, and despite several severe checks, it was accomplished in four minutes under the schedule time, or average for the greater part of the trip of 57.7 miles per hour. The rate the engine travelled at different points of the route will be a revelation to many people. At Kilsby tunnel, the speed was 56.3 miles per hour, but on easy grades between Kilsby and Weedon it was accelerated to 73.8 miles. At Roade it was brought down to exactly 60, but between and Castlethorpe troughs a speed of 75 miles per hour was maintained for some distance. By the time the summit was reached the speed had been reduced to 57.7 miles, but leaving Tring speed was picked up, and on one stretch a maximum of 77.5 miles per hour was kept up for fully three miles. Between Nuneaton and Willesden a gain was made schedule time of less than 9 minutes 50 seconds. Northampton Mercury 08 December 1922
EXPRESS TRAIN’S NARROW Passengers travelling in the 10.20 express from Euston Liverpool Monday morning had a wonderfully narrow escape from disaster. Northampton Mercury 29 November 1929
BARGE HORSE’S DASH. A horse which broke loose from a barge the Grand Junction Canal, Stoke Bruerne on Tuesday evening, finished an eight mile dash for freedom in the railway station yard at Castlethorpe. Trailing a portion the tow-rope behind it, the horse had galloped along the towpath for seven miles to Castlethorpe Wharf, where it took to the main road. The stationmaster at Castlethorpe (Mr. Wenlock) heard it dash into the station yard, and with the assistance of a porter secured it and placed it in the cattle enclosure until the owner arrived to claim it. The Wolverton Express 27 May 1949 Hanslope Railway Lengthsman Killed On Duty “ACCIDENTAL DEATH” VERDICT A Hanslope lengthsman, who had been employed by British Railways for only six months, was instantaneously killed when he stepped in front of an express train while engaged on his duties near Castlethorpe Station about mid-day on Monday. At an inquest held at Hanslope School on Tuesday, a jury recorded a verdict of accidental death, adding a rider that probably, if there had been a flagman on duty it would have done some good. The victim of the tragedy was Percy Alfred Welch (44), a married man of 19 Long Street, Hanslope. He had lived in the village for less than a year. Outlining the details of the tragedy, the North Bucks Coroner (Mr. E. T. Ray) said Welch was working on the railway line about two miles north of Castlethorpe, and there failed to avoid a fast train, which cut him to pieces. Mrs. Doris Welch said her husband looked after part of the main line near Castlethorpe. He was in perfect health and his hearing and sight were normal in every way. Her husband left home on the day of his death about 7.30 a.m. Dr. P. J. Delahunty, Wolverton, gave evidence that he was called to the scene of the accident at about 2 p.m. There was no body to be seen, it having been literally struck to pieces. Death was instantaneous, due to shock and multiple injuries. Five in Gang Frederick Harry Herbert, Forest Road, Hartwell, said he was ganger in charge of gang No. 69. On Monday his gang was working on the main line two miles north of Castlethorpe. There were five in the gang, four of them sawing a loose rail between the fat lines, and Welch was bringing chippings along to them in a barrow. He was between the up-fast and down-slow lines, shovelling the chippings into a box and taking them to a barrow. In answer to the Coroner, witness said they did not have anyone to look after them in the ordinary way-they looked after one another. A flagman was not provided for small gangs, and the line was practically straight for about a mile in either direction. Just after 1 p.m., witness said he saw a train approaching on the up-fast line and another train on the up-slow, both in the same direction. His gang moved out of the way into the down part. He saw Welch shovelling chippings, and when he seemed to be taking no notice of the approaching trains witness started to shout and wave his arms, but doubted if he could be heard above the noise of the trains. “Stepped in Front” Welch was in no danger of either of the trains if he stopped where he was, but he picked up his box and stepped in front of one train. Witness thought that perhaps he might have stepped back to safety or even got across-it was possible, however, that he might have seen the up-slow and thought that was making the noise. He would not have heard the fast train coming behind. Frederick William Pateman, stationmaster at Castlethorpe. Said he knew Welch slightly, he having been employed by British Railways since the 20th January 1949. About 1.10 p.m. an express train from Liverpool to Aldershot stopped at Castlethorpe Station, and the driver reported that he had knocked two men down. He had said that he whistled when approaching the men and had seen one step into the path of the train. Witness said he examined the engine and found marks of blood on the offside, indicating that the man was about to cross the off-side rail. He visited the scene of the impact and saw the broken box and marks on the permanent way, smoke from the first train would have been blown to the side of the line away from the deceased. Clear Account Addressing the jury, the Coroner said he did not think it worth the trouble of bring the engine-driver to the inquest. He could not have told anything. They had had a very clear eye-witness account of the occurrence from Mr. Herbert and could not have been better. They did not know fully why Mr. Welch failed to see or hear this train, but it seemed that if he had stood where he was he was he would have been clear. In this case however, he was carrying on with his job. After a short retirement the jury returned a verdict of accidental death through their foreman (Mr. Powell), stating that probably if there had been a flagman it would have done some good. Expressions of sympathy to the dead man’s relatives were expressed on behalf of his colleague and Mr. Horton (district engineer), by the Coroner and the jury. The jury returned their fees to be handed to the widow. Northampton Mercury 13 November 1931
DRAMA OF THE FOOTPLATE FIREMAN’S CLOTHING ALIGHT Scalded by steam and scorched by flames, a fireman on the Ulster express had a remarkable escape from serious injury when the train was roaring through Castlethorpe at top speed on Saturday morning.The express, which runs from Crewe to London, had reached the fastest part, of the run at Castlethorpe about 9.45, and was picking up water from the troughs between the metals. The tender of the first engine, after filling with water, sprayed the surplus over the second engine, and the water poured down the smoke-stack into the fire-box, with the result that flames and scalding steam were forced back into the cabin of the second engine. The fireman, F. W. Badley, Crewe, was badly burned on the elbows, and his clothing caught alight. By the time the train had slowed down had managed to extinguish the flames and was taken off the train at Bletchley, where he was treated by the Company’s doctor, Dr. Morphy. Later he was allowed to go home by train. Northampton Mercury 20 November 1931 CASTLETHORPE By gift of the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company, and by purchase from Mr. H. C. Muscutt. Wolverton, the Bucks. County Council has acquired land for road improvement the entrance to the goods yard at Castlethorpe Station. Northampton Mercury 25 September 1936 TRUCK DERAILED When truck of a goods train became derailed on the fast line at Castlethorpe at three o’clock, on Saturday morning, the truck did damage to the water trough and the permanent way. Northampton Mercury 19 December 1941
SOLDIER’S FALL FROM EXPRESS BUCKS INQUEST ADJOURNED AN inquest on a soldier found dead on the line after falling from an express, was opened and -adjourned at the Carrington Hall Castlethorpe, on Tuesday, the North Bucks Coroner (Mr. E. T. Ray) saying there were still inquiries be made. Joseph Reuben Mills, railway ganger, 8, Council Cottages, Ashton, said he was examining a length. of railway line near Castlethorpe at 8.35 a.m. on Monday, when he found the body of Filcher lying on the down slow track, which is next to the up fast. Near the body was a wallet containing £2 10s. and a Post Office Savings Bank book. SUBJECT TO FITS P.C. Keen said that Filcher had apparently fallen out of the train on to his head. Northampton Mercury 14 August 1942 CHILD’S FATAL FALL FROM TRAIN A POPLAR (London) mother had been evacuated with her five children to Blackpool. After two ….rs she decided to return with them to London, and on the journey one of the children was killed by falling from the train. Northampton Mercury 23 March 1945
NEW BOX FOR CASTLETHORPE SIGNALMAN MR. J. A. TOWNSEND, of Castlethorpe, signalman at Wolverton, took over his new duties at Billing L.M.S. Railway Station, near Northampton, last week. The Wolverton Express 27 May 1949 Hanslope Railway Lengthsman Killed On Duty “ACCIDENTAL DEATH” VERDICT A Hanslope lengthsman, who had been employed by British Railways for only six months, was instantaneously killed when he stepped in front of an express train while engaged on his duties near Castlethorpe Station about mid-day on Monday. Five in Gang Frederick Harry Herbert, Forest Road, Hartwell, said he was ganger in charge of gang No. 69. On Monday his gang was working on the main line two miles north of Castlethorpe. There were five in the gang, four of them sawing a loose rail between the fat lines, and Welch was bringing chippings along to them in a barrow. “Stepped in Front” Welch was in no danger of either of the trains if he stopped where he was, but he picked up his box and stepped in front of one train. Witness thought that perhaps he might have stepped back to safety or even got across-it was possible, however, that he might have seen the up-slow and thought that was making the noise. He would not have heard the fast train coming behind. Clear Account Addressing the jury, the Coroner said he did not think it worth the trouble of bring the engine-driver to the inquest. He could not have told anything. The Wolverton Express 24 November 1950 Killed on Railway Line While working along the railway permanent-way at Castlethorpe on Wednesday afternoon. Douglas Parker (41), married, of 58 High Street, Oakley, Bedford, was killed by an express train and his body badly mutilated. His remains were conveyed to Wolverton Railway Station. He was engaged on permanent-way work. |
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