Page 27 - link magazine

Swindon Wide

Railway photographer celebrates birthday with the King

From The Archives with Link
founding publisher Roger Ogle
May sees the ninetieth anniversary
of King Geoge V, probably the most
famous locomotive to be built in
Swindon Works. Former Works
photographer Roy Nash was also
born in May 1927.
Ten years ago The Link featured
the King and Roy on their joint
eightieth birthday. The King is now
the centre of a new exhibition at
Steam Museum until December to
mark 90 years of the first of 29 in King George V which was built in the Swindon Works is celebrating its
the King class of locomotives. ninetieth birthday this year with a special exhibition at STEAM
Roy left Pinehurst School at
the age of 14 to become an diversifying the Works by attracting later British Rail, staff association Rail photographer Roy Nash
office boy at Vickers Armstrong, engineering contracts. He needed photographic exhibitions and
South Marston and started his publicity and wanted me to take competitions. Always prepared lot of time scanning and printing
apprenticeship in the Railway Works pictures of everything and be ready to record events for posterity, images from his collection. “I’ve
in 1941, qualifying to join the to take photos of visiting VIPs. I even though it was his last day of always gone for top of the range
drawing office at the age of 21 in was more than happy, but my boss employment, Roy was ready with cameras and bought my first Leica
1948 where he stayed for 38 years, wasn’t pleased as I was out of the his camera on 27 March 1986 to in 1945.” he said. “It cost £60 and
until the Works shut down. office so much; I was free to go photograph the emotions on the I’ve still got it; my mother was
The threat of closure looked anywhere I wanted.” faces of colleagues as the famous shocked at the small fortune I had
imminent with the arrival of Works Roy’s interest in photography had Works hooter sounded for the last spent. I can’t imagine what her
manager Harry Roberts in 1972, been sparked at the age of seven time. reaction would have been if she
but against expectation, he brought when his father showed him how Roy continued taking pictures knew the cost of the digital Leica I
forward a plan to revitalise Swindon prints were made, commenting that for the British Rail regional public bought in 2008.
and Roy found himself in the right he was hooked by the magic of a relations office on a freelance “I honestly don’t know how many
place at the right time. negative image appearing in a tray basis including the visit of Diana, pictures I’ve taken or how many
He said: “One day I was called to of chemicals in the darkroom. Princess of Wales when she came prints I have in boxes all around
see Harry to be told management When he started working Roy to Swindon in 1989. the house. It must be quite a few
was going to have a go at quickly found success in GWR, and In retirement Roy has spent a thousand.”

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