Catalogue

Interview
1107, LO/453/404
Leicester Oral History Archive Collection

Speaker: Meadows, William, 1904 - , Interviewee, Male, Railway signalman
Speaker: Leigh, J, Interviewer, Male

Summary of interview item: Sketches family progression from Lancashire to Egelton, Rutland, to Oakham, Rutland. Lists jobs up to becoming junior porter at Desford [Leicestershire] train station in 1920. Describes duties, mentions trains burning sleepers due to scarcity of coal during strike of 1921, train getting stuck in Glenfield tunnel. Describes changes when Midland companies formed London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS). Lists various places worked, explains why wouldn't work in Western division having signed contract with Midland. Describes how to get job on railways, recalls first morning, settling in, wages, running trips to Holland. Various anecdotes include dealing with Royal Train, coping with deep snow, earthquake of 1930. Explains methods of signalling, amount of traffic dealt with.
Place of birth: Tatham Fells, Lancashire
Education: Bolton-le-Sands, Lancashire
Marital Status: , Children:
Father's Occupation: Farm worker, Pub landlord, Window cleaner
Mother's Occupation:
Location: County: Leicestershire
Location: Town/Place: Desford
Periods Covered: 1910s, 1920s, 1930s, 1940s, 1950s
Language: English

Recording Date: 27/1/1988
Playing time: 38 mins
Access Restrictions: Full clearance Item Copyright: EMOHA
Summary: Yes
Transcription: No
Copies: yes
Cross Reference:

Page Automatically Generated

Use the browser's back button to return to the previous screen.

Home>>Catalogue>>Search


Last updated: 08/05/02 East Midland Oral History Archive Web maintainer This document has been approved by the head of department or section.