James Fox – accidental death

James and Annie Fox

James Fox was born on February 28, 1851. He grew up at Salthrop Cottages, Wroughton where his father Richard Fox worked as a shepherd. By 1871 he had moved into Swindon and was lodging with his brother and sister-in-law at Eastcott Hill. James married Annie Herridge on December 24, 1874.

The UK Railway Employment Records 1833-1956 state that James entered the service of the Great Western Railway in April 1876. Two accidents occurred during his working career. The first was on January 28, 1894 which caused damage to wagons. The second on December 10, 1901 caused the derailing of an engine at Swindon. There could be various reasons for these accidents; the railway industry was a dangerous working environment yet employees safety was still an issue of personal responsibility. But far worse was to follow …

Frederick George Higgins, engine driver in the employe of the GWR Co., said he was shunting on September 6^th in the Swindon transfer yard. He and deceased were going ahead with one empty truck and a guard’s van. The van was at the back. They were not going more than three miles an hour. Deceased was attempting to get on the back van, and slipped. Deceased wanted to ride to go to the other end of the yard. He was not engaged upon the shunting operation. He (witness) saw the deceased slip. Deceased did not get a firm footing. He hung on with his hands, and his feet evidently caught in the crossings. The truck wheel went over the deceased’s foot, crushing it. The deceased was taken at once to the Hospital.

Dr Astley Cooper Swinhoe said he attended the deceased on Sept. 6^th. He found the deceased was suffering from a compound fracture of the lower part of the left leg. The leg was amputated at once. Two days afterwards gangrene set in, and the man died from exhaustion consequent upon the gangrene.

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death.”

Funeral of Mr Fox – Impressive Scene at Swindon Cemetery

The funeral of the late Mr James Fox, a GWR shunter, who died in the Medical Fund Hospital, last Thursday, took place in Swindon cemetery, last Sunday afternoon, in the presence of an immense concourse of people.

The funeral procession left deceased’s late residence, 163 Beatrice Street (whither the body had been removed from the Hospital), at three o’clock, arriving at the Cemetery almost half an hour later.

The coffin, which was covered with beautiful wreaths, was conveyed in a hearse, and the chief mourners, relatives of deceased, following in three mourning coaches.

Then there followed on foot about 100 uniform men from the GWR Station fellow workmen in various department with deceased, and these were headed by Inspectors Simpkins, Spurlock, Winter and Taylor. About 30 other members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants (of which deceased was a member) followed, being headed by Mr G.E. Leonard (Chairman of the Swindon Branch) and Councillors J.H. Thomas and J.H. Mayell. Many members of the GWR Provident Society were also present, headed by Mr. W.H. Perry Court Pride of Wiltshire, A.O.F., of which Mr Fox had been a member for many years, were represented by Bros. T. Robinson (Secretary), N. Young, F. Williams, J. Lawrence, W. Timbrell and W. Comley.

It was a lovely fine afternoon, and by the time the procession reached the Cemetery, a crowd numbering some thousands had assembled. The greatest order was maintained throughout, and the service was impressively read at the graveside by the Rev. W.J. Scruby, Primitive Methodist Sup. Minister. Deceased was buried in the same grave as his wife, who died last April, and a son, who died some four years ago.

The coffin was of polished elm, with brass furniture, and bore the following inscription: James Fox, died September 13^th, 1904, aged 53 years.

Extracts taken from Inquest and Verdict/Funeral of Mr Fox Swindon Advertiser Friday September 23, 1904.

James Fox 53 years 63 Beatrice Street burial September 18, 1904 grave plot E7385