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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Ian2904 on Wednesday 03 March 10 13:17 GMT (UK)

Title: Where to start?
Post by: Ian2904 on Wednesday 03 March 10 13:17 GMT (UK)

My great grandfather, Ernest William Wood, was killed on the railway on 30th October 1928.  From a combination of the death certificate and family folklore, I understand he was a track worker - what would now be called a Permanent Way Ganger.  He lived in Stratford (East London) and was employed on the LNER. 

I don't know the location of the accident, but I wouldn't imagine it would be too far from Stratford, this being a major centre of that railway.

I would like to get a copy of the accident report.  What with nationalisation, privatisation and fragmentation of the railways, would anyone know where to start?

Many thanks

Ian

Title: Re: Where to start?
Post by: Linda_J on Wednesday 03 March 10 13:51 GMT (UK)

Hi Ian

There is a web site on Railway Accidents you might start there.
http://www.railwaysarchive.co.uk/

Personaly I would also try local newspapers of the event.

Linda

Title: Re: Where to start?
Post by: Ian2904 on Wednesday 03 March 10 22:35 GMT (UK)

Thanks for that, I'll start there.  My problem is that there is usually quite a bit of documentation when passengers are involved, but not a lot when a member of staff dies.  I'm not sure how involved the Railway Inspectorate got when something like this happened.  When an accident happens now, the health and safety people are all over you like a rash, but I suspect they wouldn't have been so then.