“Shocking Railway Accident”
The London train is due. All eyes on Platform One at Hildenborough station peer down the line expecting to see the train emerge from round the corner several hundred yards away. Probably none of the waiting passengers realises that near that corner there was a tragic accident resulting in the death of two villagers who were working as platelayers.
The accident occurred on the 1st April, 1898 and the details were recounted in the Tonbridge Free Press. Although a local newspaper, this covered international and national as well as local news. Considerable space was devoted to the...
The accident occurred on the 1st April, 1898 and the details were recounted in the Tonbridge Free Press. Although a local newspaper, this covered international and national as well as local news. Considerable space was devoted to the...
“Shocking Railway Accident,
Platelayers killed at Hildenborough”
Platelayers killed at Hildenborough”
It was reported that...
“A very painful sensation was caused in the village of Hildenborough on Friday morning by a terrible tragedy on the South Eastern Railway near Barleycorn Bridge situated about half a mile below the station...”
A gang of three platelayers was working on the line that morning. The team was made up of George Goldsmith, the foreman, James Goldsmith, his 19 year old son, and George Upton, aged 30. Around 9.30 each morning two trains passed each other near the Bridge. The London bound train was described as a “very heavy one” which travelled up the incline “under a full head of steam” with a deafening roar. The second train, an express which had left Charing Cross at 8.20 a.m., ran through Hildenborough down the incline with steam off, thus creating little noise.
On the morning of the accident the noisy London bound train passed the platelayers who continued with their work but George Goldsmith, who was standing between the other two men, looked up to see the train from London rapidly approaching from round the curve 40 yards away at an estimated speed of 45 m.p.h.. He shouted to the others who had their backs to the approaching train but they failed to hear the warning above the noise of the up train which had just passed.
James Goldsmith and George Upton were knocked down and killed outright. The fireman on the express train saw what happened and the train was pulled up. The driver then took it to Tonbridge. There the Station Master called a doctor, Dr. Watts, “who proceeded in a brake van to the scene of the catastrophe”. The bodies were removed to the Gate Hotel next to Hildenborough station.
The “Free Press” reported that...
“The shocking affair has cast quite a gloom over the village where both men were well known, and much sympathy is felt for the bereaved young wife of Upton, and especially for George Goldsmith, whose anguish as he witnessed his son’s tragic death can better be imagined than described”.
“A very painful sensation was caused in the village of Hildenborough on Friday morning by a terrible tragedy on the South Eastern Railway near Barleycorn Bridge situated about half a mile below the station...”
A gang of three platelayers was working on the line that morning. The team was made up of George Goldsmith, the foreman, James Goldsmith, his 19 year old son, and George Upton, aged 30. Around 9.30 each morning two trains passed each other near the Bridge. The London bound train was described as a “very heavy one” which travelled up the incline “under a full head of steam” with a deafening roar. The second train, an express which had left Charing Cross at 8.20 a.m., ran through Hildenborough down the incline with steam off, thus creating little noise.
On the morning of the accident the noisy London bound train passed the platelayers who continued with their work but George Goldsmith, who was standing between the other two men, looked up to see the train from London rapidly approaching from round the curve 40 yards away at an estimated speed of 45 m.p.h.. He shouted to the others who had their backs to the approaching train but they failed to hear the warning above the noise of the up train which had just passed.
James Goldsmith and George Upton were knocked down and killed outright. The fireman on the express train saw what happened and the train was pulled up. The driver then took it to Tonbridge. There the Station Master called a doctor, Dr. Watts, “who proceeded in a brake van to the scene of the catastrophe”. The bodies were removed to the Gate Hotel next to Hildenborough station.
The “Free Press” reported that...
“The shocking affair has cast quite a gloom over the village where both men were well known, and much sympathy is felt for the bereaved young wife of Upton, and especially for George Goldsmith, whose anguish as he witnessed his son’s tragic death can better be imagined than described”.
The Inquest
The Inquest was held next afternoon, Saturday 2nd April, 1898, at the Gate Hotel by the Coroner, Mr Buss and a jury of thirteen. Mr Charles Fitch Kemp of Foxbush, Chairman of the recently established Parish Council, was elected foreman. The other jurors were:
The Vicar, the Rev’d R.L.G. Pidcock
Mr. R.A. Bosanquet, a Parish Councillor, of Mardens, Philpots Lane
Mr. J.H. Johnson of Mountains, Noble Tree Road
Mr. M.C. Morris, Headmaster of the local school (between 1897 and 1913)
Mr. A.T. Heath Mr.W. Cheesman Mr. E. Ham Mr.W. Homewood
Mr. E. Hodge Mr. G. Evans Mr. H. Grove Mr. M. Biddle
In attendance were Superintendent Bartlett of Tonbridge Police, Mr. W.H. Harvey, the Station Master at Tonbridge, and Mr. Annand, the Hildenborough Station Master.
Mr. R.A. Bosanquet, a Parish Councillor, of Mardens, Philpots Lane
Mr. J.H. Johnson of Mountains, Noble Tree Road
Mr. M.C. Morris, Headmaster of the local school (between 1897 and 1913)
Mr. A.T. Heath Mr.W. Cheesman Mr. E. Ham Mr.W. Homewood
Mr. E. Hodge Mr. G. Evans Mr. H. Grove Mr. M. Biddle
In attendance were Superintendent Bartlett of Tonbridge Police, Mr. W.H. Harvey, the Station Master at Tonbridge, and Mr. Annand, the Hildenborough Station Master.
Having viewed the bodies, the Jury then heard evidence. The first witness was George Goldsmith of Foxbush Cottages, (Foxbush Cottages are a pair of listed cottages that lie between the Post Office and the Church, the right hand one has been renamed Beaufort Cottage) the foreman platelayer and father of James whose health, including sight and hearing, was described as good. The other platelayer was George Upton, a married man of Kemp’s Cottages, Shipbourne Road. (Shipbourne Road was the original name of Riding Lane and Kemp’s Cottages, a row of twelve owned by Mr. Fitch Kemp, stood between what is now Thompson’s Chemist and the School). His health was also said to be good.
George Goldsmith described how the platelayers had begun work the previous morning at six o’clock. All went well until about half past nine. The 8.20 a.m. express train from London, which did not stop at Hildenborough, was due at the same time as a fast train to London. The trains usually passed at the point where the platelayers were working. The witness stated that they all saw the London bound train coming. Shortly afterwards he called to his colleagues to get out of the way of the approaching express train but they didn’t hear him. He couldn’t say if the train whistled as it passed Hildenborough station. The curve was so sharp that it blocked the view of the driver who could not see the platelayers. They would not have seen the oncoming train. Had the driver seen the men he would have sounded his whistle but, said Mr. Goldsmith, this would not have been heard above the noise of the London bound train.
Mr. Goldsmith, having witnessed the accident, went to Hildenborough station to ask for help from the Station Master, Mr. Annand, who sent a telegram to the Inspector at Tonbridge. Shortly afterwards a doctor was sent to the scene but it was clear that George Upton and James Goldsmith had both died instantly. In his view, Mr. Goldsmith considered that the driver was not at fault. He was asked by a juryman if he considered that he should have been supplied with a whistle. The Jury considered adding a rider to their verdict recommending that foremen be supplied with whistles but decided against it as it would have made no difference in this case.
George Goldsmith described how the platelayers had begun work the previous morning at six o’clock. All went well until about half past nine. The 8.20 a.m. express train from London, which did not stop at Hildenborough, was due at the same time as a fast train to London. The trains usually passed at the point where the platelayers were working. The witness stated that they all saw the London bound train coming. Shortly afterwards he called to his colleagues to get out of the way of the approaching express train but they didn’t hear him. He couldn’t say if the train whistled as it passed Hildenborough station. The curve was so sharp that it blocked the view of the driver who could not see the platelayers. They would not have seen the oncoming train. Had the driver seen the men he would have sounded his whistle but, said Mr. Goldsmith, this would not have been heard above the noise of the London bound train.
Mr. Goldsmith, having witnessed the accident, went to Hildenborough station to ask for help from the Station Master, Mr. Annand, who sent a telegram to the Inspector at Tonbridge. Shortly afterwards a doctor was sent to the scene but it was clear that George Upton and James Goldsmith had both died instantly. In his view, Mr. Goldsmith considered that the driver was not at fault. He was asked by a juryman if he considered that he should have been supplied with a whistle. The Jury considered adding a rider to their verdict recommending that foremen be supplied with whistles but decided against it as it would have made no difference in this case.
The driver of the express was Joe Dowsey, a man with 21 years experience who knew the line well. The train was travelling at the regulation speed of 45 or 46 m.p.h. when the accident occurred. He stated that had the London bound train not been passing he would have seen the men on the line.
Myles Tully, the fireman, saw one of the men knocked down and the train was brought to a halt within 150 yards of the accident. He was sure the driver had sounded the whistle but did not think that the men could have heard it. He agreed with George Goldsmith that the up train would have obstructed the view of anyone looking out from the express train.
A Tonbridge doctor, Dr. H. J. Manning Watts, arrived on the scene about thirty minutes after the accident. He described to the Jury the injuries suffered by James Goldsmith and George Upton. They would have died instantly.
The Coroner, in summing up, said that the accident was without doubt due to the up train obstructing the view of the driver of the express from London. The noise of the London bound train had prevented the deceased from hearing the warning shouted by George Goldsmith.
The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death” and expressed the opinion that no-one was to blame for the accident. The Coroner agreed with the remarks of Mr. Fitch Kemp, the foreman, who said that they ought to express their sympathy with the families of the two men...
“Both had lived in the parish for a good many years, and bore respectable characters, and the Jury all deeply deplored the accident”.
Myles Tully, the fireman, saw one of the men knocked down and the train was brought to a halt within 150 yards of the accident. He was sure the driver had sounded the whistle but did not think that the men could have heard it. He agreed with George Goldsmith that the up train would have obstructed the view of anyone looking out from the express train.
A Tonbridge doctor, Dr. H. J. Manning Watts, arrived on the scene about thirty minutes after the accident. He described to the Jury the injuries suffered by James Goldsmith and George Upton. They would have died instantly.
The Coroner, in summing up, said that the accident was without doubt due to the up train obstructing the view of the driver of the express from London. The noise of the London bound train had prevented the deceased from hearing the warning shouted by George Goldsmith.
The Jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death” and expressed the opinion that no-one was to blame for the accident. The Coroner agreed with the remarks of Mr. Fitch Kemp, the foreman, who said that they ought to express their sympathy with the families of the two men...
“Both had lived in the parish for a good many years, and bore respectable characters, and the Jury all deeply deplored the accident”.
The Gardening Association Meeting
It is clear the whole village was deeply moved by the tragic accident of 1st April, 1898. There is evidence of this in the report of the Gardening Association’s meeting at the Institute on Easter Monday. Several jurymen were members of the Association which had been formed two years earlier. Richard Bosanquet, a member of the newly created Parish Council was the Chairman whilst Mr. A.T. Heath was the Secretary. Also present were fellow jurymen Mr. G. Evans, Mr. W. Cheesman and the Vicar, the Rev’d R.L.G. Pidcock. The meeting started with routine gardening business. It was announced that at the next monthly meeting there would be a prize of 1/6d for the “best exhibit of salad (three varieties)”, and “prizes of 1/6d and 1/- for the best exhibit of two varieties chosen from rhubarb, cabbage and broccoli”. The Station Master, Mr. Annand, had also offered a prize of “a cockerel and pullet value 15/- for the best two pound jar of pickled onions, pickled cabbage and mixed pickles, the produce to be grown and prepared by the exhibitors; and he had further offered an extra prize of a sitting of black or buff Orpington eggs (a breed of chicken) to the exhibitor of the best eggs in show”.
The Chairman then raised the matter of the recent railway accident and invited Mr. W. Cheesman, one of the jurymen, to make a statement. At the suggestion of the Jury an appeal for funds to support the bereaved families had been launched. This appeal had been “met with hearty support from all classes of the community”. Over 150 donations had been received and no-one had refused to contribute. Mr. Cheesman, whose statement was interrupted several times by enthusiastic calls of “hear, hear”, said that it was hoped that some of the money raised would pay for a headstone in memory of the two railwaymen.
The Chairman then raised the matter of the recent railway accident and invited Mr. W. Cheesman, one of the jurymen, to make a statement. At the suggestion of the Jury an appeal for funds to support the bereaved families had been launched. This appeal had been “met with hearty support from all classes of the community”. Over 150 donations had been received and no-one had refused to contribute. Mr. Cheesman, whose statement was interrupted several times by enthusiastic calls of “hear, hear”, said that it was hoped that some of the money raised would pay for a headstone in memory of the two railwaymen.
Mr. Cheesman had been asked what the South Eastern Company was going to do for the families. He reported that they were not bound to do anything – “by the Company’s rules and regulations the bereaved ones could not claim a penny in compensation”. He hoped that the Company could be induced to offer the families some help. Mr. Cheesman pointed out that when the line opened in 1868 no-one wanted to be a foreman of the platelayers for the area of Barleycorn Bridge “owing to the danger incurred by the curve”. George Goldsmith was eventually persuaded to take the job and he had worked there for 23 years without encountering an accident...
“...and now the blow had fallen with such terrible force upon him. What could be worse for a father to see his son smashed to death before his eyes? Surely, in such a case, the Company ought to do something”.
These words were greeted with sympathetic cries of “hear,hear!” Mr. Bosanquet said he was sure that the Jury, through their foreman, Mr. Fitch Kemp, a man of influence, would bring pressure to bear on the Company if necessary.
On 7th May, 1898, the Tonbridge Free Press reported that the fund for the railwaymen had reached £71-6s-6d. George Upton and James Goldsmith were buried together in the Village Churchyard. Until recently, the wording on their headstone was visible:
“...and now the blow had fallen with such terrible force upon him. What could be worse for a father to see his son smashed to death before his eyes? Surely, in such a case, the Company ought to do something”.
These words were greeted with sympathetic cries of “hear,hear!” Mr. Bosanquet said he was sure that the Jury, through their foreman, Mr. Fitch Kemp, a man of influence, would bring pressure to bear on the Company if necessary.
On 7th May, 1898, the Tonbridge Free Press reported that the fund for the railwaymen had reached £71-6s-6d. George Upton and James Goldsmith were buried together in the Village Churchyard. Until recently, the wording on their headstone was visible:
To the
Glory of God
and in Memory of
GEORGE UPTON
Aged 30 years
- AND -
JAMES GOLDSMITH
Aged 19 years
Two Platelayers in the employment
Of the SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY
who were killed on the 1st April 1898
while engaged in their duty.
“in the midst of life we are in death”
THIS MEMORIAL IS ERECTED BY THE PARISHIONERS
Glory of God
and in Memory of
GEORGE UPTON
Aged 30 years
- AND -
JAMES GOLDSMITH
Aged 19 years
Two Platelayers in the employment
Of the SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY
who were killed on the 1st April 1898
while engaged in their duty.
“in the midst of life we are in death”
THIS MEMORIAL IS ERECTED BY THE PARISHIONERS
Sadly, by 2015, the facade of the headstone had largely fallen away and with it the dedication to the two railwaymen. The headstone was paid for by the villagers at the time and some of today’s parishioners felt that we owed it to our predecessors to restore it, thus keeping alive the memory of George Upton and James Goldsmith. The proposal was that the existing headstone should be repaired with the inscription reinstated in the style of the original.
UPDATE:
In January 2016, a fresh appeal was launched to raise money to have the original headstone restored. The appeal was fantastically well supported and raised considerably more money than was actually required. After consultation with the major sponsors of the fund, a decision was made to have a commemorative plaque cast and mounted in the ticket office at Hildenborough railway station. That was completed and STILL there were funds left over so a donation was made to a charity called Woking Homes.
An unveiling ceremony was held on 16th July 2016. The timetable ran as follows:
At 11.30 am – the plaque was unveiled at the station by Judith Upton, the great-granddaughter of George Upton, one of the two men tragically killed.
In January 2016, a fresh appeal was launched to raise money to have the original headstone restored. The appeal was fantastically well supported and raised considerably more money than was actually required. After consultation with the major sponsors of the fund, a decision was made to have a commemorative plaque cast and mounted in the ticket office at Hildenborough railway station. That was completed and STILL there were funds left over so a donation was made to a charity called Woking Homes.
An unveiling ceremony was held on 16th July 2016. The timetable ran as follows:
At 11.30 am – the plaque was unveiled at the station by Judith Upton, the great-granddaughter of George Upton, one of the two men tragically killed.
At 12.30 pm – a re-dedication service, given by the vicar, Reverend Tim Saiet, took place in the churchyard. The headstone was draped in a flag of St George.
The vicar's address went as follows:-
"On behalf of the Family of George Upton and James Goldsmith and for all who have been part of this journey to restore this headstone, I welcome you here to this re-dedication of their headstone.
We journey today around our country on railways first built on the hard work and diligence of those who have gone before us.
It’s doubtful if these men would have ever known the enormity, gratitude , affection and respect upon which they are held. For they gave their lives in the service of not just our great railway, but also in the service of our community, for the station at Hildenborough, is now as it was then, a huge asset and gift for those who choose to travel by rail.
It is clear the whole village was deeply moved by the tragic accident of 1st April, 1898.
The Headlines reported:
“Shocking Railway Accident,
Platelayers killed at Hildenborough”
These two platelayers were part of our community and still are. The original headstone was paid for by the villages in Hildenborough. This restoration of the headstone has been paid for by the villagers and people here.
Why is this so important?
Well in Hildenborough we have a deep sense of duty. We understand that some things must not be forgotten , we care for one another today, as they did in George’s and James’s day. We here knew it was right and fitting to restore this headstone and we see it now in all its splendor.
There are many people to thank for us all being here today and you know who you are.
I would like to give special thanks to Nigel, Howard and Maurice as well for their vision and commitment to this project.
I would just like to say thank you for caring enough to make a difference and doing what was right. Thank you for raising the money needed to restore this headstone and thank you for giving enough that a charitable donation can also be made Woking Homes".
"On behalf of the Family of George Upton and James Goldsmith and for all who have been part of this journey to restore this headstone, I welcome you here to this re-dedication of their headstone.
We journey today around our country on railways first built on the hard work and diligence of those who have gone before us.
It’s doubtful if these men would have ever known the enormity, gratitude , affection and respect upon which they are held. For they gave their lives in the service of not just our great railway, but also in the service of our community, for the station at Hildenborough, is now as it was then, a huge asset and gift for those who choose to travel by rail.
It is clear the whole village was deeply moved by the tragic accident of 1st April, 1898.
The Headlines reported:
“Shocking Railway Accident,
Platelayers killed at Hildenborough”
These two platelayers were part of our community and still are. The original headstone was paid for by the villages in Hildenborough. This restoration of the headstone has been paid for by the villagers and people here.
Why is this so important?
Well in Hildenborough we have a deep sense of duty. We understand that some things must not be forgotten , we care for one another today, as they did in George’s and James’s day. We here knew it was right and fitting to restore this headstone and we see it now in all its splendor.
There are many people to thank for us all being here today and you know who you are.
I would like to give special thanks to Nigel, Howard and Maurice as well for their vision and commitment to this project.
I would just like to say thank you for caring enough to make a difference and doing what was right. Thank you for raising the money needed to restore this headstone and thank you for giving enough that a charitable donation can also be made Woking Homes".
Between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm – refreshments were taken in the Church Hall.
Howard Dolling made presentations at the railway station and at the Church Hall, where a donation of £600 was given to Woking Homes. An illustrated history of the tragic railway accident prepared by Maurice Nairne and Nigel Simpkins was on display at the Church Hall.
Woking Homes is a care home for the elderly, the majority of residents being retired railway workers and their spouses.
The Society gratefully acknowledges the support of:
Hildenborough Parish Council
Hildenborough Parish Church
Hildenborough Gardeners' Society
Hildenborough Volvo
Hildenborough Farmers' Market
The Half Moon public house
Fidelity UK Foundation
RWE Tree Surgery
Peter and Shelley Robinson
T&C Printers (Bromley)
The Clemence Charitable Trust
Network Rail
Southeastern Railway
The staff at Hildenborough railway station
Mr Sira and staff at Thompson's Pharmacy
Burslem Memorials
The many wonderful people of Hildenborough who donated to the cause. Thank you all.
Hildenborough Parish Council
Hildenborough Parish Church
Hildenborough Gardeners' Society
Hildenborough Volvo
Hildenborough Farmers' Market
The Half Moon public house
Fidelity UK Foundation
RWE Tree Surgery
Peter and Shelley Robinson
T&C Printers (Bromley)
The Clemence Charitable Trust
Network Rail
Southeastern Railway
The staff at Hildenborough railway station
Mr Sira and staff at Thompson's Pharmacy
Burslem Memorials
The many wonderful people of Hildenborough who donated to the cause. Thank you all.
Thanks to Maurice Nairne for the article and to Nigel Simpkins for details, and initial launch, of the Appeal.
And last but certainly not least, many thank yous to Howard Dolling, the Society's Treasurer, who gave up an enormous amount of time to make this all happen including, amongst other things, fund raising, organising the manufacture of the plaque, printing leaflets and programmes, and liaising with the Rail companies. A grand job jobbed.....(applause). (Now, Howard....about this plaque for Brian Goodale......)