The Great Western Railway

Grandfather was employed by the G.W.R. as a carman at Hockley Goods Station. His work entailed delivering goods to warehouses and factories in the area. His younger brother also found work at Hockley goods Station. They lived in lodgings in Park Road, Hockley. Father was a conscientious worker and always made sure he looked tidy; he would polish regularly the G.W.R. brass buttons on his Railway uniform. During his employment on occasions he attended the Bath and West show to help with the movement of the show animals that were sent by rail, having had early experience of dealing with farm animals.

As a carman he was very fond of his horse "Tommy". Hockley changed to Motor Vehicles and "Tommy" was transferred to Bristol. When travelling to Devon on holiday, Dad broke his journey at Bristol to see "Tommy" who knew him immediately, heard his voice as he approached the stables and nuzzled his nose into Dad's pocket for a titbit like he always did.

During the Great War, Dad volunteered for Active Service but was refused. Health wise he had hammered toes and also his railway work was classed as a reserved occupation.

During the General Strike in 1926 the railwaymen were also involved. The horses had to be fed and exercised and Dad would turn up for this labour of love. When he was made a Foreman he worked in the yard at Hockley doing shift work, early morning one week, then afternoons and nights in turn. Each year just after Christmas he collected the annual subscriptions on behalf of the N.V.R. Welfare Fund and many evenings were spent at home writing it all neatly and accurately into the G.W.R. books.
For his ˝ hour break during working hours he took sandwiches perhaps bread and cheese and tea, milk and sugar with which to make a cup of tea. During the 1939-45 War he would take his turn Fire watching at home and one night was pushed flat on his face as a stick of bombs fell nearby breaking the windows of all the houses. Despite restless nights during air raids Dad would be off to work early every morning (he now did morning shift regularly). Sometimes long detours would have to be made to reach the station because many roads were closed owing to bomb damage, craters, burst water mains and so on.

He retired at the age of 65 in poor health. His railway pension was Ł3 a month which he collected regularly from the office at Hockley.

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