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See us on the net @ www.swindonlink.com The Link Magazine • December 1998
We nominate first GWR worker to Wall of Names
1838 worker George House to be recognised in Link magazine nomination
Reader Constance Grove contacted us to dispute an article in the November edition as to who was the first railway doctor. As a result
of her story, The Link is submitting the names of her great grandfather, grandfather, uncle and Constance herself to the GWR workers'
Wall of Names to be located in the Swindon millennium railway heritage centre - now known as Steam.
In the October Link, we pub- lished in the 5 January 1903 Adver- The four names will be mounted
lished a photograph of an imper- tiser ".. perhaps Mr House's chief on a plaque in Steam and details
'
sonation of Stuart Keith Rea, the claim to the grateful remembrance will be kept on computer.
GWR Medical Fund Society doc- of Swindonians is his work in con- Constance would be interested
tor, on the occasion of the Civic nection with the treats to the Work- to know of anybody related to
Trust's heritage open day which house inmates. He was, if not the George and his family. We would
celebrated the role Swindon had originator of this benevolent move- too, so that a full history can be
played in the establishment of the ment, one the pioneers, and he entered into the Steam computer.
National Health Service. never ceased to take an interest in The complete Swindon Advertiser
Reader Sheila Povey disagreed the efforts which were made to stories can be seen on the Internet
with the claim and explained last promote the comfort and happi- at the www.swindonlink.com web
month that Charles Axford was ness of these unfortunate poor. site, along with photographs pro-
the first doctor to the railway work- George had seven children. One vided by Constance.
ers. From her research, she sug- of his five daughters Rebeka mar- If you have any information
gested Axford was employed by ried Bill Kirby, Constance Grove's which will help, contact The Link,
the GWR to administer to its work- grandfather. His son Wilfred (fa- address on page 3.
ers from at least 1844 to when he ther of Constance) did not work in
died on 3 September 1845. the GWR, but his brother Fred (her How to nominate a person
But Constance, from Toothill, uncle) did.
wrote to to say that Stuart Kieth Constance herself worked for the to The Wall of Names
Rea was the first doctor employed GWR Enginemen and Firemen's Steam gives the chance to relatives
by the Medical Fund. She knows Mutual Society paying sickness and friends of ex-railway workers
because her great grandfather and widows benefit for a few years. to have them acknowledged as part
George House used to pay him. Now aged 70, she was an only of Swindon's history and heritage.
Constance has a cutting of a long child and is not aware of any rela- It costs £15 for a plaque with one
interview in the Swindon Adver- tives of George House. name and £25 for a plaque with up
tiser of 28 April 1899, where George Constance said she was pleased to four names.
was asked if he had started the that The Link had offered to nomi- For a leaflet and nomination
'GWR Sick Fund Society.' His re- nate George, Bill, Wilfred and her- form, call the Swindon railway
ply was, 'No... but I was for many self to the Wall of Names. museum on 466555.
years treasurer of the Medical
Fund, and in that capacity I paid
• SWINDON'S LONGEST
Dr Swinhoe his first salary. Dr Ray , SERVING LOCKSMITH PAUL SMALL
was our first Medical Officer....' used to be entirely spoilt by the GAS & HEATING SERVICES
The article charted George's life smoke and dirt in one journey.' Master locksmith • Safe engineers
in Swindon. At the time he was 82 George was involved in the Over 21 Years service in the Servicing • Installation
years of age and still working 'in- building and equipping of the first security business Breakdown
side' at the GWR. GWR workshops. In theAdvertiser 24 hour emergency call out service
Born in 1817 at Wargrave, Berks, article he describes the setting up Free survey & estimates • All gas appliances
George believed he was the oldest of the Mechanics Institute and his Sale opening & servicing & central heating
Supply & fit all types of lock &
living servant of the GWR Com- involvement in the famous Chil-
access control systems • Landlord safety inspection
pany, with over 60 years employ- dren's Fete which was attended by CCTV, alarm systems • Digital locks • Plumbing repairs
ment. He started up to 20,000 peo- Burglar bars & grilles made to
insurance industry standards
work in October ple in Faringdon AA approved • Member of MLA Chubb • Emergency call out
1835 at Maiden- Road park. • Yale •Union • British Gas trained
head, 'being en- The fete had Repairs to UPVC doors • Corgi registered
gaged in the con- lapsed one year, Not franchised • Call the professional
struction of the so he raised a pe- Swindon 01793 644367 Tel: 01793 828143
line there, under tition to the Coun- Mobile 0860 553575 Mobile: 0378 913119
the supervision of cil of the Mechan-
Brunel.' ics Institute to re-
He came to instate the event. BUY FACTORY
Swindon in 1838. He was also in- CHARISMA
'There was no strumental in giv- DIRECT SAVE £s
railway station ing pauper chil- BLINDS
then and no fac- dren from the Large Range • Quality Fabrics
tory. When the Stratton and Pur-
coaches began to ton Workhouses I I
run from Bristol the chance to at- VERTICA L
to Swindon, the tend. BLINDS ftlivD S — 1
only place where Constance Grove Swindon from £3 1. 'om £20 p -
— ZTh .'
passengers could alight was at Hay writer Trevor Cockbill comments
Lane.' (Close to Junction 16 on the in his book A Drft of Steam: The FITTING
M4, as Wootton Bassett was larger founders of modern Swindon that Mr ADVICE
than Swindon at the time) House modestly credited the ef- FREE HOME/SITE VISITS '
George recounted seeing peo- forts to help the Workhouse chil- Factory Showroom open at BSS House, Cheney Manor Ind. Estate, Swindon
ple riding in open carriages. 'It dren to W.E Morris, founder of the Open: Monday - Friday, 9.30cm - 5.30pm • Saturday 1000am - 400pm
was travelling in those days and Swindon Advertiser. EL: (01793) 43458
no mistake. The ladies dresses According to his obituary, pub-