trying to trace great uncle

[jonbem]

Hi all
trying to trace my Great Uncle, what he did on the railways and when.
I only have detail up to 1911 census.
Possibly a bit sensitive.
Sydney James Ward. Lived at some point post WW1 at Leadgate,Consett.
I presume NER or LNER
Death Index on Ancestry
death registered 3rd qtr 1937 in Lanchester,County Durham
Nameydney J Ward
Birth Date:abt 1896
Date of Registrationep 1937 Age at Death: 41
Registration district: Lanchester Inferred County: Durham
Volume:10a Page: 238

All I know beyond this is he was apparently a strong union member (which union unknown), at some point had lost a leg, and the sensitive part, took his own life (it was illegal at that time) in a signal box. Family distant stories tell of a large turnout for his funeral, but possibly due to the nature of his death the records are scarce.
I've contacted the Ken Hoole Centre at Darlington and hope to visit soon.
I've traced his younger brother Fred to WW1 grave in France, he worked on the railway at Ampleforth before being called up to the army and died in 1917 Spring Offensive near Arras/Vimy Ridge.
Any help appreciated

 

[ilkestonian]

Hi all
trying to trace my Great Uncle, what he did on the railways and when.
I only have detail up to 1911 census.
Possibly a bit sensitive.
Sydney James Ward. Lived at some point post WW1 at Leadgate,Consett.
I presume NER or LNER
Death Index on Ancestry
death registered 3rd qtr 1937 in Lanchester,County Durham
Nameydney J Ward
Birth Date:abt 1896
Date of Registrationep 1937 Age at Death: 41
Registration district: Lanchester Inferred County: Durham
Volume:10a Page: 238

All I know beyond this is he was apparently a strong union member (which union unknown), at some point had lost a leg, and the sensitive part, took his own life (it was illegal at that time) in a signal box. Family distant stories tell of a large turnout for his funeral, but possibly due to the nature of his death the records are scarce.
I've contacted the Ken Hoole Centre at Darlington and hope to visit soon.
I've traced his younger brother Fred to WW1 grave in France, he worked on the railway at Ampleforth before being called up to the army and died in 1917 Spring Offensive near Arras/Vimy Ridge.
Any help appreciated

Given where he died, the assumption might well be made that he was not a driver, though it is of course just an assumption.

If correct, the union to which he belonged is almost certainly the NUR rather than ASLEF, which was essentially only for footplatemen. So it might be worth seeing if there are any historical NUR records available, either directly via the union or maybe a genealogy site such as Ancestry or Find My Past.

 

[Elwyn]

There is likely to have been an inquest and the records for that might still exist. See:

http://www.genguide.co.uk/source/Coroner-Inquest-Records-Crime-amp-Courts/99/

In addition you could try local newspapers to see if they reported the incident. Local libraries may have back copies.

 

[Mitch in Notts]

In addition you could try local newspapers to see if they reported the incident. Local libraries may have back copies.

British Newspaper Archive possibly?

 

[ilkestonian]

British Newspaper Archive possibly?

Good call.

Although you have to subscribe to see the detail, this link hints at something relevent...

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/search/results?basicsearch=sydney james ward

“... place in the final, and he finished sixth. SET SIGNALS AT DANGER Railway Signalman's Suicide That L.N.E.R. signalman, Sydney James ..

Monday 02 August 1937 , Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer , West Yorkshire, England

 

[jonbem]

WOW
Thanks guys
seems like I might need to take a small subscription.
Great work, didn't expect a reply so quickly.
regards
Jon

 

[John Webb]

The National Railway Museum at York also holds extensive records of railway employees, and might be worth a try.

 

[Mvann]

The National Railway Museum at York also holds extensive records of railway employees, and might be worth a try.

I believe that there are some at kew as well. There are some railway records and union records on ancestry. I have found some of my relatives railway records on there.

 

[jonbem]

Thanks guys
got his details from the Pension Table of where he was and when.
Got the Yorkshire Post thing from the Archive
Also got WW1 record.
Still looking for the Union Stuff.

 

[Mvann]

It is a free weekend on findmypast this weekend. As long as you set up an account (no charge), you can search and look at records for free. There is also a newspaper section to search.