Occasionally, I just like to browse the railway staff records on the Ancestry.com website. One of the saddest files I know is the London, Chatham and Dover Railway's book of injuries that its employees sustained. Indeed, there are some truly shocking stories recorded that highlight how dangerous working on the Victorian railway was:
Date: 14 November 1882
Name: Hibbert, G.
Grade: Engineman
Nature of Accident: Forefingers taken off (end of) had his hand on Brake block when fireman unexpectedly applied the brake - fingers caught between block and wheel.[1]
Date: 4 January 1884
Name: Driver of a cart
Nature
of Accident: Knocked down while shunting train in Hatton's Yard, Faversham Creek, arm had to be amputated - Pilot Engineman R. Broadberry [2]
Date: 12 June 1885
Name: None given
Grade: Platelayer
Nature
of Accident: Forefingers taken off (end of) had his hand on Brake block
when fireman unexpectedly applied the brake - fingers caught between
block and wheel.[3]
Date: 18 July 1887
Name: Foster, W.G.
Grade: Fireman
Nature
of Accident: Head cut and body bruised thro. slipping off into pit in Battersea Shed. Engine 118, Driver, Goodhew [4]
Date: 31 December 1888
Name: J. Coventry
Grade: Engineman
Nature
of Accident: When oiling engine at Victoria was struck on the back of his head with a bottle thrown from the 5.30 pm boat train. [5]
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[1] The National Archives [TNA], RAIL 415/108, Register of injuries to workmen: 1880 - 1891, p.45
[2] TNA, RAIL 415/108, Register of injuries to workmen: 1880 - 1891, p.46
[3] TNA, RAIL 415/108, Register of injuries to workmen: 1880 - 1891, p.87
[4] TNA, RAIL 415/108, Register of injuries to workmen: 1880 - 1891, p.112
[5] TNA, RAIL 415/108, Register of injuries to workmen: 1880 - 1891, p.124
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