Page 28 - link magazine

28 The Link Magazine • Januar 1999
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Search for six generations in the GWR

After reading The Link's account of the GWR first worker in December, Frances Wakeley from Greenmeadow contacted us to ask for help.
She and her son Stuart have Louisa, had five children and lived "I'm particularly interested to He had five daughters, one of
spent the last 4 months searching at 39 Wellington Street, situated find out what he did before he was whom Grace, was Frances's grand-
for information about relatives opposite the Railway station, but foreman," said Frances. "We think mother.
t is also known Thomas
who worked in the railway. Some now demolished. he originated from Glouc T
sixteen members of her family Edwin died in 1895 and was tershire, but I don't knot Twin had two brothers
worked for GWR, from as early buried in Radnor Street Cemetery. where he worked or who ind two sisters. It is ru-
back as the 1840's and Frances has An obelisk stands in his memory, with. He may not even moured one them,
nominated some of them to the one side of which reads 'erected by have been in the rail- Grace married an M
Heritage Centre Wall of Names. present and past employees and ways. It may be that Tyler who was'some-
So far she has traced as far back personal friends as a token of af- this man goes back al- one important' in
as her great-great grandfather fectionate esteem.' most to the start of GWR.
Edwin Thomas Brittain. He was GWR." Frances herself was
born in 1830 and spent 30 years as Frances Wakeley with her Frances is also very employed in the works
foreman in R Shop Locomotive 22 month grand-daughter Kiara keen to learn more about from 1957 to 1965. She
Department. He was married to her great grandfather Th_ ater returned to work in
mas Edwin Brittain, pictured. He finance for five years before
PAUL SMALL was born in 1853 and lived in Villett being made redundant. In addi-
Street, Swindon. Frances does not
tion her son, daughter-in-law, fa-
GAS & HEATING SERVICES know when he started in the rail- ther, three uncles, grandfather, step
ways, although she thinks he may great grandfather and other mem-
Servicing • Installation have been an engine fitter in R bers of the family have all been
Breakdown Shop. employed at some time by GWR.
In 1883 he was seconded to build Frances and Stuart plan to visit
• All gas appliances
railways in South Africa. He sailed St Catherine's House, London in
& central heating
on the United Companies new an attempt to search for more in-
• Landlord safety inspection steamer, The Arab, and landed at formation. "I would be grateful if
• Plumbing repairs Algoa Bay, near Simonstown anybody has any ideas about trac-
• Emergency call out where he became a member of the ing family history, or of anyone
Phoenix Lodge of Freemasons. doing similar research that can
• British Gas trained
On a shooting expedition in the help." She said.
• Corgi registered swamps he caught black water Meanwhile if any details here
fever. He was sent home and died have jogged your memory, or you
Tel: 01793 828143
of consumption aged 37. He too is can help in any way, please con-
Mobile: 0378 913119 buried in Radnor Street cemetery. tact The Link, address on page 3.

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