Engine drivers from the 60s - anyone you know?

[Beebman]

I'm finding this thread quite fascinating so I've just done some research of my own and I've come across the gallery of a Flickr user called Patrick O'Brien who has posted photos from the John Clark Collection which includes pictures of staff working at Barrow Road. Of particular interest to me was the photo at this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolsteam/9314776230

It's labelled as being of 'A youthful John Clark' and IMO he could bear some resemblance to 'Nobby' in the set of photos above. (I've never been able to work out how to embed links so I've attached the photo below.) In the comments below the photo there's one by the album owner posted 8 years ago who says that he recently spoke to him.

Also in this Flickr collection is the exact same photo as 'Dad With Favourite Engine':

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolsteam/29212529531/

The caption for this is as follows:

Driver Arthur Owl (or perhaps Harry Cross) stands by the cab of 4F 44135 in the carriage sidings at Bristol Barrow Road Shed in the early 1960's. The name "Ringo" scrawled on the tender suggest the photo was taken after 1962. Barrow Road carriage sidings closed in March 1965 when the stock was dealt with at Malago Sidings south of Bristol Temple Meads. 44135, a favourite for this working, was withdrawn the following month in April 1965.

Patrick O'Brien appears to be still active on Flickr (the last photo he posted there was just 6 days ago) so maybe it could be well worth contacting him? His Flickr album link is https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolsteam/.

 

[Gloster]

One of the comments says it is Harry Cross. The previous photo in the Flickr thread includes a Guard Francis, who might be ‘Foxy’. (‘Foxy Francis’, euphonious?)

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Guard Francis, who might be ‘Foxy’. (‘Foxy Francis’, euphonious?)

Love your thinking....

 

[Rescars]

Oldbury-on-Severn keeps all the various locations for the home depot in play, but does increase the chances that Dad was based at one of the Bristol ones. Somebody will probably be along who can identify the loco, an ex-LMS type (I think), and possibly even have a guess at the specific loco’s identity.

The following is pure speculation: a bit of searching suggests that the only loco ending in 35 that was at any of the depots mentioned in the 1960s was 4F 0-6-0 44135 at Barrow Road. As it is likely that that a favourite loco was long time locally based and 44135 was at Barrow Road for most of the fifteen years of BR allocations up to withdrawal, it is probable that Dad was a Barrow Road engineman if this is the loco. I wonder if the photo was a ‘farewell‘ one taken after the loco was withdrawn on 21 April 1965? Confirmation of the type is needed: that is not my area.

Sources: Walmsley (Part Six) and brdatabase.

A couple of random observations. Are we sure the loco number is xxx35? Could it be xxx85? Also, is there a wisp of steam between the loco and the tender behind Dad's right shoulder or is this a defect on the print? If it is steam, presumably this photo was taken whilst the loco was still in traffic.

 

[Gloster]

A couple of random observations. Are we sure the loco number is xxx35? Could it be xxx85? Also, is there a wisp of steam between the loco and the tender behind Dad's right shoulder or is this a defect on the print? If it is steam, presumably this photo was taken whilst the loco was still in traffic.

Follow the links in #31, which turns my probability into a certainty. I had thought about XXX85, but there was no possible loco with those last two at any of the sheds. Yes, it is probable that the loco was still in service, due to the relative dates of its withdrawal and the closure of the carriage sidings.

 

[WesternLancer]

On first sight of the above image the first thing that entered my head was 4F 0-6-0 without any hesitation. My first thought as to location was Bath GP shed, the loco road alongside the shed (running line side), but in this view there appears to be an overbridge above the (second?) carriage (top right). There was no such bridge in the vicinity of Green Park shed.

As for the pub interior: the two fire places are clearly different, height, brickwork, but most pubs had two bars (rooms) back then, so quite possibly the same place?

EDITED/ADDED:

As for the crew/depot, I would concur with Gloster's thoughts. I had/have a strong interest in matters S & D, and have many/most books published on that subject over the years, many 'names' being mentioned. However the names mentioned do not ring any bells, albeit they are nick-names bar one, and it should be remembered that while some names are well known, ie: Donald Beale/Pete Smith, both of whom I was privileged to meet in person, many/most railwaymen were likely, as I was/am, very private people, and wouldn't want to be photographed, outside of private family related situations. I think this photo album acquired by the OP comes within the latter, an event/date that was worthy of recording, but just privately for those involved, so will likely be a tall order to identify this far down the line....?

I’m wondering if the first two pub pics are older images the op has found on line and the group pic is the only one from the album she’s acquired. So fireplace could have been altered over time or as you say from a different room.

All but the most basic pubs would have been multi room.

I bet the local branch if CAMRA would know more about the pub even if it closed some years ago now.

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I'm finding this thread quite fascinating so I've just done some research of my own and I've come across the gallery of a Flickr user called Patrick O'Brien who has posted photos from the John Clark Collection which includes pictures of staff working at Barrow Road. Of particular interest to me was the photo at this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolsteam/9314776230

It's labelled as being of 'A youthful John Clark' and IMO he could bear some resemblance to 'Nobby' in the set of photos above. (I've never been able to work out how to embed links so I've attached the photo below.) In the comments below the photo there's one by the album owner posted 8 years ago who says that he recently spoke to him.

Also in this Flickr collection is the exact same photo as 'Dad With Favourite Engine':

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolsteam/29212529531/

The caption for this is as follows:


Patrick O'Brien appears to be still active on Flickr (the last photo he posted there was just 6 days ago) so maybe it could be well worth contacting him? His Flickr album link is https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolsteam/.

Some great research and links here.

 

[Gloster]

I’m wondering if the first two pub pics are older images the op has found on line and the group pic is the only one from the album she’s acquired. So fireplace could have been altered over time or as you say from a different room.

All but the most basic pubs would have been multi room.

I bet the local branch if CAMRA would know more about the pub even if it closed some years ago now.

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Some great research and links here.

My interpretation is that the top two of the four in #27 are old pictures of the pub that have come from another source, not the album. The third one down is from the album and I think that the man sitting on the right (not the peeping youngster!) is Harry Cross: one of the women may be Mrs Cross. This may be a few years later as he looks a bit older, hence the uncertainty.

 

[WesternLancer]

One of the comments says it is Harry Cross. The previous photo in the Flickr thread includes a Guard Francis, who might be ‘Foxy’. (‘Foxy Francis’, euphonious?)

Yes. The comments are worth reading on Flickr. Esp if the group of drivers and firemen etc still
Meet as mentioned. If the photographer John Clarke was Nobby and was a keen photographer he may well have printed multiple prints both to keep and give to the colleagues in the pictures which would explain how one ended up on Flickr and others in a family album.

Separate question as to how / why the album passed out of family ownership.

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My interpretation is that the top two of the four in #27 are old pictures of the pub that have come from another source, not the album. The third one down is from the album and I think that the man sitting on the right (not the peeping youngster!) is Harry Cross: one of the women may be Mrs Cross. This may be a few years later as he looks a bit older, hence the uncertainty.

That makes sense. Trying to date that photo inside the pub. From clothes fashions worn by a group of older ladies maybe early 70s?

 

[Gloster]

As regards the different fireplaces, one possibility is that it had been rebuilt in the intervening years. A second is that a man would take his wife into the lounge bar, not the public, while a labourer would use the public.

Plenty of reasons for the album leaving the family, such as nobody in the family being interested and it being passed on to someone who expressed a (possibly vague) interest, but who died or lost interest. Or nobody left and the house was cleared: what was junk twenty years ago is worth a bob or two nowadays. Or…but often a sad story.

 

[Ashley Hill]

The pub interiors of post #27,judging by the fashions I’d say the top photo is 1930s and the group photo mid-late 1960s. Dad certainly looks older than when pictured with the locos.

 

[WesternLancer]

I'm finding this thread quite fascinating so I've just done some research of my own and I've come across the gallery of a Flickr user called Patrick O'Brien who has posted photos from the John Clark Collection which includes pictures of staff working at Barrow Road. Of particular interest to me was the photo at this link:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolsteam/9314776230

It's labelled as being of 'A youthful John Clark' and IMO he could bear some resemblance to 'Nobby' in the set of photos above. (I've never been able to work out how to embed links so I've attached the photo below.) In the comments below the photo there's one by the album owner posted 8 years ago who says that he recently spoke to him.

Also in this Flickr collection is the exact same photo as 'Dad With Favourite Engine':

https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolsteam/29212529531/

The caption for this is as follows:


Patrick O'Brien appears to be still active on Flickr (the last photo he posted there was just 6 days ago) so maybe it could be well worth contacting him? His Flickr album link is https://www.flickr.com/photos/bristolsteam/.

I would think the next move for the OP would be to contact Patrick O’Brien via Flikr and or post on the thread with the pic of ‘dads favourite loco ‘ to say ‘I’ve got the same picture from the family’s own album’ and see what Patrick says about his connections with the chap who gave him the pics that are on his Flickr page.

That pic by the tender was uploaded to Flickr in 2016 and it looks like the comment made by the fireman was made a year ago. Fireman if young in early 1960s as many might have been could be aged in his early 80s or late 70s now.

Any thoughts @EKrabappel ?

This is great thread!

Both loco types identified too. Assuming it’s definitely a Hymek diesel in the original cab interior views.

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The pub interiors of post #27,judging by the fashions I’d say the top photo is 1930s and the group photo mid-late 1960s. Dad certainly looks older than when pictured with the locos.

Thanks. That sounds all plausible to me.

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Pub has a page here showing exterior

Ship Inn, Camp Road, Oldbury on Severn BS35 1PR - Glo'shire Pubs & Breweries

Licensing Details: Owner in 1891: Charles Russell (leased John Arnold & Sons, High Street, Wickwar) Rateable value in 1891: £26.0s.0d. Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse Owner in 1903: George Henry Russell (leased John Arnold & Sons, High Street, Wickwar) Rateable value in 1903: £23.10s.0d. Type...

www.gloucestershirepubs.co.uk

Quick street view image suggests building still exists but CAMRA whatpub entry suggests converted to housing.

Not that this helps much with the people pictured.

 

[EKrabappel]

Hi everyone,
WOW - One of the great things about posting from Australia to a UK forum is that you can post something before you retire for the night and wake up to see a stack of awesome responses.
Re the Ship Inn, yes, the fireplaces are different, but I probably used the wrong wording. The style of brickwork including the projecting mantle and the decorations are similar, if not the same. Also one fireplace is larger. As suggested, I assumed there were probably 2 fireplaces. The pub was sold in 2012 and is now a private residence. Having no joy finding images of the interior but will see if there are any images still online form the sale in 2012. From memory, I don't think Dad (Harry Cross) is in the pub shot shown. I used that image because it showed some detail of the fireplace. And yes, as surmised the first 2 images were pulled from the net with the first taken in 1936.
As to the reason the album ended up for sale - I'm only guessing but Harry's daughter (Me) must have been the owner of the album and she looked to be in her 30s or maybe early 40s when the shots were taken. There are plenty of pics of her on holidays with female friends, at home with Mum and Dad etc but no shots of weddings or children. It could be that she passed away with no-one to pass the album onto, so it ended up as estate fodder. Kind of sad.
Beebman - fabulous work finding the flicker image. That has helped immensely and yes, John Clark could well be Nobby Clark, the likeness is certainly there.
Foxy Francis? That does sound plausible.

What next?
1. Contact Patrick O'Brien
2. See if I can find Harry Cross on a UK census. Is so, it may provide the name of his daughter and wife. I may also get an address. There are some shots around their house that I may be able to link to a physical address and compare.
3. See if I can locate the building behind the Hymek.

Any further ideas?
It has been fun so far.

 

[stuving]

A comment to Patrick O'Brien's photo on flickr (post #31) gives positive ID as Harry Cross from one of his firemen. I can find the following records, obviously for the same person:
Harry Hughes Cross birth recorded Q4 1899 Taunton
1921 census: Harry Hughes Cross/age 21/born Burrowbridge, Somerset, England/Engine Fireman/Midland Railway Co/at MR cleaning sheds Bristol
1939 register: Harry H Crosse/b. 3/11/1899/ Loco Fireman L M S
Harry Hughes Cross (b 3/11/1899) death recorded Q3 1974 Torbay.
Harry Hughes Crosse or Cross of St Annes Park Bristol/ d. 28/8/74 probate Bristol 2/10/74.

I suspect his daughter is still alive in her 80s, and a widow, so I won't post any more here. Perhaps this album was disposed of during house clearance for downsizing, or a move into care.

 

[EKrabappel]

@stuving - Yes, that could well be the same. I was on a different track but I believe you have hit the nail on the head. If so, the daughter died in 2022 which might explain the album.

 

[Gloster]

As regards the building behind the Hymek, see Big Jumby’s entry #13 and follow ups, including my #20; Big Jumby is one who knows.

’Foxy’ Francis is only a suggestion. I looked at the photo linked in #31 and then accidentally looked at the previous shot in the slideshow. It shows a loco with several staff on the footplate, one of whom is identified as a guard called Francis, who ressembles the man in the first post of four photos.

It would be quite possible that all the traincrew, including the guard, had their pictures taken on this occasion. Or maybe Dad and daughter had gone along and ended up with pals in the cab. All this is suggestions.

If he was born in Q4 1899, then he would probably have retired in Q4 1964, but it is possible that he might have agreed to stay on for a few more months until Barrow Road shed closed, given by brdatabase as 25 November 1965, or until another stage in the run-down was reached.

 

[WesternLancer]

Is it possible that the pictures of the guys in the cab were taken on an occasion when they were moving over to diesel traction and being trained to operate the 'new to them' Hymeks? or do we reckon the images are a bit later than that?

Hymek build dates look like 1961-64 from wikipedia entry

 

[Gloster]

A vague thought is could it be something like Dad’s last turn, or his last trip to Green Park, or his first diesel turn. As regards the last, would he have been trained on diesels? I think that Barrow Road was relatively late in learning diesels, so would someone so near to retirement be trained on them? (I know that rules of seniority and BR’s unwieldiness did mean that such things often happened, but he might have said, “No, thanks. I’ll stay on steam until I finish.”) Or could it have been a farewell (cushions) trip over a route that he knew well which ended with being invited into the cab by old pals.

Is Dad actually wearing a driver’s jacket? Or could it be a non-work one: remember how many people dressed formally, by today’s standards, for even the most modest outings. In which case the other three could be a crew: driver, fireman and guard.

 

[EKrabappel]

Hi again,

As suggested, more information regarding the other pictures in the album is getting away from the forum header so I'll tick the box for the identity of the main protagonists and focus on the rail side of things.
Unfortunately, the rail images aren't dated but the photos on the other pages are dated in the annotation around 1964 and 1965 so that could well have been around Harry's retirement and the reason for the cabin shots. I'll do some more digging on the names of the cabin crew.
I was also going to ask if there is somewhere I could give some good quality scans? Although part of the family album I believe they would serve a better purpose as part of rail history that all can access. Also, I wouldn't have got as far as I have without the input from this forum so I figure the photos belong in the rail space.
I also did dig up a picture of 'The Ship' before it was closed and there were 2 chimneys so assume 2 fireplaces. Looking at streetview the new owners have removed the central chimney (and probably the associated fireplace).
Cheers.

 

[WesternLancer]

Hi again,

As suggested, more information regarding the other pictures in the album is getting away from the forum header so I'll tick the box for the identity of the main protagonists and focus on the rail side of things.
Unfortunately, the rail images aren't dated but the photos on the other pages are dated in the annotation around 1964 and 1965 so that could well have been around Harry's retirement and the reason for the cabin shots. I'll do some more digging on the names of the cabin crew.
I was also going to ask if there is somewhere I could give some good quality scans? Although part of the family album I believe they would serve a better purpose as part of rail history that all can access. Also, I wouldn't have got as far as I have without the input from this forum so I figure the photos belong in the rail space.
I also did dig up a picture of 'The Ship' before it was closed and there were 2 chimneys so assume 2 fireplaces. Looking at streetview the new owners have removed the central chimney (and probably the associated fireplace).
Cheers.

If you made contact with Patrick O’Brien and he was interested there would be a logic in good quality scans going on his site given he seems to have been the recipient of Nobby Clarke’s photos which he has placed on his Flickr page.

That’s a thought.

A railway site related to Bristol area railway railway history might be another option, or a suitable photo archive in the Bristol area? The local council local study library or archive might be a place to ask ref local photo archives.

Just ideas off the top of my head.

 

[Ashley Hill]

There used to be a Bristol based railway forum. IIRC it was administered by Madannie. Could this be the same @madannie77 ? Apologies if it’s not.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Or possibly someone involved with Bath Green Park station as it is today. Have no idea who manages the place in its current guise, think it has not long reopened after a fire gutted part of the back wall/roof some time ago? This assumes that the images are at Green Park of course, and I have found a number of images of the bonded store building during railway days, but all are in books etc so copyright prevents me from uploading same to here.
But any donated photos to the present owners, given its a public space with stalls etc, would lend some human aspect to the history of the station as it once was. Just a thought !

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Or possibly someone involved with Bath Green Park station as it is today. Have no idea who manages the place in its current guise, think it has not long reopened after a fire gutted part of the back wall/roof some time ago? This assumes that the images are at Green Park of course, and I have found a number of images of the bonded store building during railway days, but all are in books etc so copyright prevents me from uploading same to here.
But any donated photos to the present owners, given its a public space with stalls etc, would lend some human aspect to the history of the station as it once was. Just a thought !

According to Wikipedia, the station is now managed by the The Ethical Property Company, who took over responsibility in November 2008. They now manage all activity on the site, beyond the car park and the Sainsbury's supermarket. I know nothing about the company, but this is a link to their web site: https://www.ethicalproperty.co.uk/find-a-space/locations?capacity=2&location=Bath.

 

[Nobby Clark]

One of the comments says it is Harry Cross. The previous photo in the Flickr thread includes a Guard Francis, who might be ‘Foxy’. (‘Foxy Francis’, euphonious?)

Nobby Clark here just joined your group yes photo of Harry Cross taken by me Barrow Road Carriage Sidings

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Hi again and thanks for all the input.
I couldn't work out how to add images to the original post so have added them here as a reply. The annotation for the pub photos was "Drunken Orgy at The Ship, Oldbury on Severn". The only pub I could find was the Ship Inn that closed in 2012 however a photo from 1936 shows the sign as "The Ship". Another old interior photo shows brickwork around a fireplace that is similar to the brickwork in the 1960s album image. And, Oldbury-on-Severn is close to Bristol! Some great detective work and knowledge from you folks! Unfortunately the shot of the Dad next to his favourite engine doesn't show a lot but I wouldn't be surprised if there's more info to be gleaned.
Ta
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Nobby Clark here just joined group yes Harry Cross i took photo Barrow Road Carriage Sidings i was his Fireman on the day Top right hand corner you can just see Barrow Road Bridge

 

[WesternLancer]

Nobby Clark here just joined your group yes photo of Harry Cross taken by me Barrow Road Carriage Sidings

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Nobby Clark here just joined group yes Harry Cross i took photo Barrow Road Carriage Sidings i was his Fireman on the day Top right hand corner you can just see Barrow Road Bridge

Welcome Nobby. This has been avery interesting thread and I bet when she started it @EKrabappel might not have expected the actual photographer of pics of 4 staff portraits to end up joining the thread!

I expect you have some interesting recollections to share. But can I ask when you took these pics were you both a fireman but also a keen photographer of the railway scene and your work? Did you stay working on the railway beyond this period or move on to other jobs as a matter of interest?

Best wishes.

 

[Cowley]

Incredible scenes.

Welcome to the forum @Nobby Clark!

 

[Nobby Clark]

I wouldn’t get too optimistic about the nickname Nobby being a help: it has long been a common nickname for people with the surname Clark or its variations. For many years almost everyone with that surname will have been called Nobby at sometime or other. Even ‘Dad’ might be a nickname, particularly for an older driver with a somewhat paternalistic style.

One point that might help would be if someone could identify the building behind: the windows are distinctive. If a railway building, it might identify a specific depot.

Yes John Clark is my real name nicknamed Nobby by all Known railway (STEAM) MATES Did give photos and permission to Patrick o Brien TO USE MY PHOTOS if he so wished on his new upcoming Website I was at Barrow Road from 1960 until closure then transferred to Bath Road Desal depot did the wrong move took redundancy and finished looking back it was the best days of my working life. Photo Barrow Road being demolished gas tank at rear Digbi Street to left which overlooked Bristol to the North main line

 

[Nobby Clark]

Loking at the nls maps, there is Barrow Road Bridge across the throat of the yard there. The photo could be of the loco collecting or leaving carriages in the sidings alongside the shed if they were stabling sidings: that is speculation.

You are correct the Engine was on a daily booking taking and collecting Carriages from the sidings adjoining Barrow Road Loco shed TO temple mead's station the local name for this turn was the Bulldozer. Later in the day after the previous journey into Bristol by the night mail train the carriages were cleaned then Bulldozer hooked up and proceeded to haul the complete Train to Mangotsfield Triangle for purpose of turning it around for return journey this was to make the Bag catchers the correct way round this turning procedure need assistance to Fishponds Station by means of a rear Banker

 

[EKrabappel]

Hi Nobby,
Great to have a person from the photos on the forum.
This may sound a silly question, when you say bag catchers, do you mean the devices for transferring Royal Mail bags without dropping speed?
I was going to send scans of the photos to Patrick O'Brien but does he already have them?
Cheers
BTW Was Gloster on the money with Foxy being Francis?

 

[Nobby Clark]

Hi Nobby,
Great to have a person from the photos on the forum.
This may sound a silly question, when you say bag catchers, do you mean the devices for transferring Royal Mail bags without dropping speed?
I was going to send scans of the photos to Patrick O'Brien but does he already have them?
Cheers
BTW Was Gloster on the money with Foxy being Francis?

Think Driver in Hymeck Cab with reference to Foxy followed by comment could it be Foxy Francis is not correct Foxy as written on photo refers to REG FOX who was a management Supervisor at Bath Road Depot (Diesel) and much respected by the Staff . Enclose photo taken by me at Bath Road Depot Bristol of some Drivers posing REG FOX is first on the left i will name the other Drivers when i am more sure with the help of an ex Bath Road Driver..Second photo Barrow Road

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Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the contributions to this forum, it's great reading.
I recently came across a mystery old photo album that I'm trying to get some more information on. One page features 4 individuals that were all drivers in the 60s. Does anyone recognize them, particularly the chap labelled 'Dad' in the top left corner? Even some info on the type of engine would be helpful. When googling some of names, "Nobby Clark" came up in reference to a post by Ungreat. I tried to message Ungreat directly but his profile was unavailable so am resorting a post in the forum. Hoping you can help, even the smallest bit of info would be great.
Best regardsView attachment 167306

Hi Nobby,
Great to have a person from the photos on the forum.
This may sound a silly question, when you say bag catchers, do you mean the devices for transferring Royal Mail bags without dropping speed?
I was going to send scans of the photos to Patrick O'Brien but does he already have them?
Cheers
BTW Was Gloster on the money with Foxy being Francis?

Photo......TOP LEFT.. Harry Cross...BOTTOM LEFT..LEN STONE (not Den)...TOPRIGHT REG FOX BOTTOMRIGHT ME JOHN CLARK. Nobby..

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the contributions to this forum, it's great reading.
I recently came across a mystery old photo album that I'm trying to get some more information on. One page features 4 individuals that were all drivers in the 60s. Does anyone recognize them, particularly the chap labelled 'Dad' in the top left corner? Even some info on the type of engine would be helpful. When googling some of names, "Nobby Clark" came up in reference to a post by Ungreat. I tried to message Ungreat directly but his profile was unavailable so am resorting a post in the forum. Hoping you can help, even the smallest bit of info would be great.
Best regardsView attachment 167306

I will look for any info i may have, cannot promise about Harry Cross i was booked on several occasions with him as Fireman remember one Trip we had a Midland Engine with Western Steam Coal being Large Briquettes Harry had large Leather type fold over Bag he brought to work .FOOD PAPERWORK WATER ETC. He said what lovely Coal he was meticulously clean and wiped the coal clead with some waste cotton put them in his bag and said "That will keep the Range going all day Tomorrow the Wife will be pleased " I never forgot that it made his day. Have more tales of Harry for a later day

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Going on @Rescars post.
Could they be taken in one of the Lickey banking locomotives possibly? I’m just wondering if that might explain the multiple photos being taken in the same cab?

No they were all taken at Bath Road Diesel Depot Adjoining Temple Meads Bristol

 

[Taunton]

As regards the last, would he have been trained on diesels? I think that Barrow Road was relatively late in learning diesels

It was. In fact at the end it gained the remaining Western steam locos at Bristol, while the Peaks, which dieselised the Midland line northwards, were maintained at Bath Road depot. I don't think Barrow Road ever had a diesel allocated; even the small diesel shunters which ran the St Phillips goods branch from alongside the shed came from Bath Road.

None of this comments on what the crews did though. But now we have an expert (welcome, Nobby Clark) to advise on such! Incidentally, I recall that bridge at Barrow Road, which we occasionally walked down to, alleviating quiet moments at Temple Meads, to look down on the Barrow Road shed yard and the mechanical coaling plant in action. It had a brick parapet wall about 4'6" high, which I was youthfully unable to master leaping up onto, until assisted by mates. The second of the photos just above is the self-same view from up on the wall.

Harry Cross apparently came from Burrowbridge, which is halfway along the road between Taunton and Glastonbury. Ending up at a Midland shed in Bristol, did he originally start on the Somerset & Dorset?