ACCIDENT—On Saturday last as one of the Midland trollies was returning from Higham to Irchester station with a heavy load and two horses, the thiller horse commenced kicking and displacing the breeching, became unmanageable. The driver was endeavouring to let off the trolley when the horse made a swerve and he lost his balance and fell, both wheels and the trolley passing over his leg, very much injuring the ankle and thigh. He was conveyed to the surgery of Mr. Crew, where his injuries were attended to by Mr. Croon, Mr. Crew's assistant, but the leg was so much swollen that it could not be ascertained what was the extent of the injuries. We have since heard, however, that no bones have been broken (although there was nearly three ton weight on the trolley), and that Percival, the man injured, is going on as well as could be expected.

Accident at the Railway Station—On Monday a serious accident occurred at the railway station. As a man named G W Perkins was engaged in shunting operations, he was knocked down, and the truck passed over his arm, severely crushing it. First-aid was effectively rendered by Private Abblett and members of the railway staff. Dr Owen and his assistant were also soon on the spot, and after attending to his injuries ordered his removal to the Northampton infirmary.

Serious Accident at the Railway Station
A porter of the Midland Railway Co, G W Perkins, met with a serious accident on Monday. While engaged in shunting, he fell, and a coal truck went over his arm, crushing it. Private Ablett, of the Ambulance Corps, and members of the railway staff rendered first aid, and Dr Owen was summoned. He deemed it advisable to remove the sufferer to the Northampton Infirmary, and this was accordingly done. Upon arrival there, the arm was amputated, and the sufferer is, we hear, progressing satisfactorily.

. . . . His work for the Midland Railway, which he joined as a clerk at Tamworth, brought Mr. Weale to Rushden in 1901, and after a long term in the goods office he became the Company’s town representative in the Rushden area. Though retiring at Easter, 1942 (when his colleagues made him a presentation) he was anxious to occupy his time in useful work, and obtained another appointment for the duration of the war.

Rushden Members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants visited Sharnbrook on Sunday evening and held an organising meeting at the Swan club-room. Mr C Court (Rushden) presided, and spoke of the benefits of the A.S.R.S. Mr Turner and Mr Bollard also spoke, and a good number joined the society.

Presentation—The Rushden branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants held a meeting at the Trades Union Club on Sunday night, at which an interesting presentation took place. Mr. J. Davies presided over a good attendance. Mr. J. Holman, of Wellingborough, referred with regret to the fact that this was the last meeting which would be attended by Mr. C. Court, one of their most useful members, who was leaving for Canada. Mr. Court was chairman of the Rushden Branch when it was formed in January 1908, and he had done excellent work on its behalf. In recognition of this, he was asked to accept an emblem with an inscription testifying to their appreciation of his services. (Applause) Mr. Holman then handed to Mr. Court the emblem, which bore the following inscription: “Presented by the Rushden branch of the A.S.R.S. to Brother C. Court for services rendered to the members and society in general during the years 1908.” Mr. Court in acknowledging the presentation, said it had been a pleasure to do anything on the society’s behalf. Mr. Holman also presented a silver medallion, given by Mr. Court to Mr. J. C. Turner, the secretary, for obtaining the most members during the year 1908. Mr. Court leaves Rushden at the end of the present week. He has been a popular member of the staff during his nine years’ service at Rushden.

Accident—Mr. Harry Boyce, M.R. drayman, had a nasty experience on Friday evening last. While loading goods from Messrs. Cunnington Bros.’ factory a box fell over, pinning his right arm and breaking a small bone just above the wrist. Dr. Greenfield set the injured limb and the patient is now doing nicely, though he will not be fit for work for some weeks to come. Mr. Boyce’s brother strained the cords of his ankle very badly about a fortnight ago and is still unable to resume work.

Wellingborough Petty Sessions Court - Midland Railway Cases
Israel Meadows, yard clerk, Rushden, was charged with larceny as a servant of the Midland Railway Company, by stealing one pair of boots value 10s.6d, the property of the said company, at Rushden, between July 21st and September 21st. Thomas Eaton, carman, Rushden, and Frederick Wm Evans, checker, Rushden, were charged with larceny as servants of the Midland Railway Company, by stealing eight dozen glace kid skins, valued at £13, the property of the said company, at Rushden, on or about August 12th. Ebenezer Cox, dealer, Rushden, was charged with receiving eight dozen skins, valued at £13, well knowing them to have been stolen, at Rushden, during the last two months.

Mr. R. J. Turner (Beale and Co., Birmingham) appeared for the Midland Railway, and Mr. J. C. Parker for the defence. Defendants evidently felt their position very keenly.

Mr Turner said in this case the prosecution desired a remand till Tuesday, on which day he understood their worships would be able to go into the cases. He hoped to have all the charges ready on that day. He asked that the cases might be adjourned till Tuesday at eleven o’clock. The Chairman asked if defendants had anything to say why they should not be remanded. Defendants offered no objection. Mr. Parker asked if the Bench would entertain the question of bail at that stage. The Chairman said they could not do so until after Tuesday next.

Promotion—Mr. E. J. Brooks, for eight years booking clerk at the Rushden M.R. Station, has been promoted to be stationmaster at Cranford.

Rushden Soldier - Poisoned by Germans

Pte. E. Pettit (Rushden), who formerly worked at the M.R. Station at Rushden, and lodged with Mrs. Ambridge, of 5, Grove-road, Rushden, has met with ill luck. He joined Kitchener’s Army, and went out to the front in due course with the 2nd Northamptons. He is now in hospital at Weymouth, suffering from a bad arm, made worse by the fact that the Germans poisoned some water at ******, and he was unfortunate to take some of the poison. He is now making good progress.

Rushden Man – A Prisoner in Germany

Private W Perry, who formerly worked at the Rushden M.R. Station, of the 2nd Suffolk Regiment, is a prisoner of war at Sennelager, Germany. He has written to his friend, Mr H Boyce, acknowledging cigarettes and postcards which Mr Boyce has sent to him. He says he received the parcel quite safely.

Irchester Man Missing - Rushden M. R. Drayman - No News Since May 9th.
Mr. J. C. Turner, of Irchester, received an intimation from the War Office that Pte. J. J. Athews of Irchester, formerly a Midland Railway drayman at Rushden, has been missing since May 9th. Pte Athews, who is about 25 years of age, a single man, is the son of Mr. J. J. Athews of Millbunch-terrace, Irchester and had been a drayman at Rushden for the last four or five years. Pte. Fred Athews, brother of Pte. J. J. Athews, is in the fighting line.

A Former Resident of Riseley
Midland Railway Drayman Injured in the Hand
Lance-Corpl. Percy Wildman, of the 5th Northamptonshire Regt., who on Tuesday was officially reported wounded, is a Riseley man, the son of Mr. Fred Wildman. For the last two or three years he has been working for the Midland Railway Co. at Rushden as a drayman. On the outbreak of war he enlisted as a private in the 5th Northamptons, eight or nine of his fellow-workmen from the Rushden M.R. Station also enlisting at the same time. Before leaving for the front a few weeks ago he had a few days’ leave, and he took the opportunity of visiting Rushden. On the field he was recently promoted to Lance-Corporal. The wound from which he is suffering is, happily, not a very serious one. A bullet passed through his wrist and came out in the middle finger. He is now at home, and is going on well.

Rushden Echo, 2nd March 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Female Porter—A lady porter has commenced work at Rushden Railway Station. [I wonder who she was!]

Sergeant Arthur Ansell – Injured by Shrapnel – A former Railway Drayman
Mrs Ansell, of 79, High-street South, Rushden, has received news that her husband, Sergt Arthur Ansell, of the Northants Regt., attached to the Bedfords, was wounded on February 12th by shrapnel while serving on the Somme front. His leg was broken, and two holes were made just above the ankle by fragments of shrapnel. An Army Chaplain, writing to Mrs Ansell, gave the news of her husband’s injuries. Sergt. Ansell has now been brought to England and has been taken to hospital in Birmingham, where Mrs Ansell and the patient’s brother visited him last Saturday, spending the week-end with him. He is now making good progress.

In civil life he was a drayman at Rushden, in the employ of the Midland railway Company. He joined up at the commencement of the war, going out to France in December 1916. From his position of private he worked his way up to be sergeant. It appears he was in charge of a bombing party, whichmet with success and returned safely, but on a second venture they had to take shelter in a shell hole, when a shell burst and he received the injuries stated. A corporal who was with him had his foot smashed.

The Rushden Echo, 20th April 1917, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Railway Clerk Killed - Private Arthur Ward – Attempt to Capture a Village
News has been received this (Friday) morning that Pte. Arthur Ward, of the Sherwood Foresters, formerly booking clerk at the Rushden M.R. station, was killed in action in France on Good Friday night. It appears that the soldier met his end during an attempt to capture a village from the Germans. It is but six weeks since he went to France, having enlisted on March 20th, 1916.

The deceased soldier, who was about 38 years of age, had been in the employ of the Midland Railway Company for about 21 years, and as a member of Rushden staff, was greatly respected by his colleagues.

Rushden Echo, 27^th July 1917, transcribed by Gill Hollis

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES JOIN UP – On Tuesday three members of the Rushden Midland Railway staff left for service with the Royal Naval Division, viz., Mr. A. F. Weale (goods clerk), Mr. Chambers (booking clerk), and Mr. Goode (platform porter).

Higham Ferrers - Bereavement—Mr and Mrs Arthur Chambers, of Lancaster-street, have sustained bereavement in the sudden death, which took place on Sunday morning last, of their four-months-old daughter. Mr Chambers, who was formerly clerk at the M.R. passenger station, Rushden, is now with the Colours, being in the Royal Naval Division in training. A telegram containing the sad news of the little one’s death was sent to him, and he was granted leave. The funeral took place yesterday at Leicester, the home of Mr Chambers, Mr Fred Parker making the arrangements. Several floral tributes were sent by the neighbours and friends.

Mr. J. C. Turner of Irchester, a member of the Board of Guardians and of the Rural District Tribunal, has been appointed full-time secretary of the Plymouth and District Labour and Co-operative Representation Association. The Association have decided to contest all three local divisions at the next Parliamentary election. Mr. Turner has for some years been the secretary of the Rushden branch of the National Union of Railwaymen and also secretary of the Midland District of the same Union.

Rushden Echo, 12^th August 1921 , transcribed by Kay Collins

Tragic Death After Wasp Sting - A Former Rushden Railway Employee’s Sad Fate

A painful sensation was created in Cromford and throughout the Matlock district on Tuesday by the tragic death of Mr. William Brown, Midland Railway stationmaster at Cromford, who died at his home, the “Station House,” a few minutes after being stung by a wasp.

Tuesday was Mr. Brown’s half-day’s holiday, and he spent this in the garden. Just after tea, he heard some boys making a noise on the station platform, which is near the house, and he opened the window and admonished them. Just as he was withdrawing his head a wasp fell upon it off the curtain, and he complained of being stung. He went out of the room, but returned two minutes later observing to his wife that he had received a nasty sting. At his request she procured him an onion which he rubbed upon the sting, but two minutes later, and within ten minutes of being stung, he passed away.

Mr. Brown, who was 59 years of age, leaves a widow and three children. He entered the service of the Midland Railway 42 years ago at Olney, and served in various capacities at Wigston, Sandiacre, Woodville, Rushden, Finedon, (where he was married), and Cardington. When he left the latter place he was promoted to be stationmaster at Ribblehead, and he occupied similar positions at Newbiggen (Westmoreland) and Buckenden before he removed to Cromford eight years ago. During his stay at Cromford he became known as a capable and pleasant official. [Details of the inquest follow]