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Note: D.H.B was born in Petersham (Surrey) on the 21st June 1850, the birth being registered in Richmond. His parents were David Brown, a gardener, and Maria (nee Sheldrake).As a 10 year old he was put out to service in a large estate and apparently had to sleep in a clock tower. He ran away at some stage but the circumstances of this or the reults are now unknown.
D.H.B was married in 1872 at the age of 18 to 24 year old Sarah Shingleton in Kensington, London. Sarah was the daughter of James and Srah Shingleton and was born in Richmond on 27th December 1849 and Christened at St John`s church on the 5th May 1850.
In 1881 at the time of the census he was 31 years old and was a railway foreman. He lived in Acton at 68 Railway Cottages, Old Oak Common Lane with his wife Sarah and the first three of their nine children - James (7), Ellen (5) and David H. (3). In the census information it was stated that these three were all born in Kentish Town (Middlesex). D.H.B., being an ambitious and confirmed railway man, was obviously prepared to move around for the job, although all of the places mentioned above are within a few miles of each other in West London. It must be remembered, however, that at the time London was not as large, geographically, as it now is and most of these places would have been small towns or even large villages in relatively open countryside.
Subsequent children included Sam, Fred, Reg, Dot (married Will Sunderland who had been a sergeant in 1stWW), Mabel Florence (next youngest), and Ada. At the time of the birth of his daughter, Mabel Florence, on 6th June 1890 D.H.B. was a night station master at Willesden Junction Station and resided at 78 (?) Railway Cottages, Acton , which was less than 2 miles from his place of work. The birth was registered at Brentford. D.H.B. was a strict and religious man who liked to uphold the Sabbath and believed firmly in the benefits of a good education. He ensured that all his children received the latter and, indeed, many went on to professional occupations.
The family moved when David was appointed station master at Lichfield Trent Valley (Staffordshire) in 1900. They lived in the Old Station House and kept animals including pigs. However, Sarah became ill and died on Feb 21st, 1902 at the age of 51. She was buried in the churchyard at St.Michael`s Parish Church.
The Trent Valley Railway Co. was founded in 1845, sold to London & Birmingham Co. in 1846 which was consolidated with Grand Junction and Manchester & Birmingham to form the London & North Western (L&NW) later in 1846. Both Willesden Junction and Trent Valley, Lichfield are on the main London-Birmingham line.
On the 24th April 1903, in the Lichfield Mercury - a local weekly newspaper - the following report appeared.
PRESENTATION TO THE TRENT VALLEY STATIONMASTER
On Friday evening the railway workmen employed at Trent Valley Railway Station,Streethay, assembled at the Trent Valley Hotel for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr. H.Brown, the Stationmaster, on his approaching marriage with Miss McCaig, superintendent nurse of the Lichfield Union Infirmary.
Mr.J.T. Raby, Rural District Councillor for the parish, and Sheriff of Lichfield, presided, and there was a goodly attendance of workmen. The gifts consisted of a set of carvers for Mr. Brown and a silver mounted butter dish for Miss McCaig, which had been purchased from a fund subscribed by railway employees, and of which Messrs. C.Hill and R.Wilson had acted as secretaries. An address which was read by Mr. Chas.Hill was also presented setting forth that the small presents were a token of the esteem in which Mr. Brown was held by the subscribers who had willingly contributed and worked together to make some suitable gift on the approaching happy event in his life. They all joined in most heartily in wishing the lady and their Stationmaster happiness and prosperity, and desired to convey to them their best wishes that good fortune might attend them in all their undertakings.
The Sheriff, in making the presentation, said that Mr. Brown had not been a long time at Trent Valley, but he had been there sufficiently long to gain their respect and good will. Since coming to Trent Valley he had sustained a great loss in the death of his first wife, but they hoped his residence amongst them would result in happiness in the marriage which was about to take place. Sorrow had overshadowed Mr. Brown more or less, ever since he had come to Lichfield, but they all hoped that the dark clouds had now dispersed, and that brightness and joy would henceforth reign in the Stationmaster`s house at Trent Valley. As their representative on the Board of Guardians he could say that Miss McCaig`s services, as superintendent Nurse of the Infirmary, had been much appreciated not only by the sick poor, but by the Guardians, and they joined with the railway workmen in their good wishes and aspirations for their future happiness and welfare.
Mr. Brown spoke with considerable emotion in reply, and thanked the Sheriff and the subscribers for their kindly words and good wishes. He had always striven to do his duty, and he highly appreciated the kindness and goodwill that had always been shown to him., not only by the railwaymen, but by the public as well. As the Chairman had said, his life there had not been without its sorrows, but he trusted it would in future be accompanied with renewed joys and happiness. He could assure his fellow workmen on the London and North-Western Railway that he would always look upon their gifts with kindly appreciation, and he should try to prove worthy of the confidence and respect that had been shown to him. (Applause)
Subsequently the health of the bride and bridegroom was given by the Sheriff, and drunk with enthusiasm.
In a later publication of the same newspaper it was further reported that on May the 2nd at St Michaels Church the Rev. O.W.Smith married D.H.Brown, Station Master at Trent Valley to Margaret McCaig, Superintendent Nurse at The Infirmary, Lichfield.
David had 4 more children with Margaret - Kathleen Mary (22.3.1904) who married a Hollinshead who was a farmer in the Lichfield) area; Henry - who was always known as Harry (10.8.1905) who became a solicitor`s clerk, Ethel Grace (4.7.1906) who married a Sweetapple and emigrated to South Africa and Margaret Mc Caig (30.7.1908) who became a headmistress. The three girls all became pupils at the Priory School which coincidentally became the Library and Local records Office where much of the material for this chapter was found. Harry, however, had a very good singing voice and and consequently was accepted into the Cathedral School and choir.
The Lichfield area had many large estates owned by gentry. David would often take personal charge of arranging transport for horses etc. for them. At Christmas it is said that he received many gifts, e.g.. case of whisky, from grateful clients of the company.
David Henry was listed in editions of the Kelly`s Directories for Staffordshire as the Station master until 1916. The next edition in 1921 indicated that he was no longer there. He had in fact taken his retirement in March 1919 and this was fully reported in an article in the Lichfield Mercury and is reproduced below.
PRESENTATION TO LICHFIELD T. V. STATIONMASTER
There was an enjoyable gathering at the Trent Valley Hotel, Lichfield, on Saturday evening, upon the occasion of a presentation to Mr. D.H.Brown, who is retiring from the post of Stationmaster at Lichfield Trent Valley Station.
Mr. Brown has been in the employ of the London and North Western Railway Company for nearly 50 years, nineteen of which have been spent as stationmaster at Lichfield Trent Valley. Previously he was for some years night stationmaster at Willesden. he was due to retire some years ago but owing to the war and the consequent depletion of railway staffs he patriotically continued to carry out his duties, and these he has discharged to the entire satisfaction of travelling public. By his knowledge of railway work he was well fitted for the post of stationmaster at Trent Valley, an important junction on the London and North Western main line.
When it became known that Mr. Brown was about to retire it was suggested that many people who had been brought into association with would welcome the opportunity of showing their appreciation of his services. The editor of the Mercury was approached and consented to act as hon. treasurer to the fund. The staff at Trent Valley also co-operated heartily in the movement organising a house to house collection and the result of the effort was that a sum of �134.2s.0d was received. In addition, the staff themselves, anxious to give Mr.Brown a token of their esteem and regards, subscribed for and presented a handsome silver handled Ebony walking stick, suitably inscribed, and a wallet containing �6.4s.6d. The formal presentation of these gifts was made at a social gathering held at the Trent Valley Hotel on Saturday evening. Councillor T.E.Field ( Chairman of the staff committee) presided and he was supported by the Mayor (Councillor H.G.Hall),Messrs C.H.Turrell and T.Foxwell the hon. secretary and hon. treasurer respectively of the staff committee and Inspector Grevatt (Nuneaton).
There was a good attendance of the staff of Trent Valley. Letters of regret at inability to be present received from Inspector Sansom (Nuneaton) and Mr. H.W. Briers , the latter of whom stated that he had known Mr.Brown for many years and always found him a most courteous and obliging public official.
APPRECIATIVE TRIBUTES
The Chairman in his opening remarks stated that they could truly say that Mr. Brown had been a faithful servant of the London and North Western Railway Company. His chief thoughts had always been to look after the interests of his employers, while to the staff at Trent Valley he had always been a friend. They very much regretted that they had to sever their connection with him on the railway but as he was to remain in Lichfield they hoped their friendship would not be severed and that he would be able to assist them by his counsel whenever they appealed to him. They hoped that his retirement would afford him the rest he needed and that he would be spared for many years to enjoy it.
The Mayor, before proceeding to make the presentation, said he would like to take the opportunity of congratulating Councillor Field on being appointed a Justice of the Peace of the City. It was a tribute to Mr. Field himself and those whom he (the Mayor) knew Mr. Field was proud to represent. Continuing, the Mayor said that Mr. Brown had not only a long but an honourable association with the railway service. Born in 1850, Mr. Brown entered the service of The Midland Railway Company in 1869 and in 1871 he joined the London and North Western Railway Company. Whilst at Lichfield he had been, in the words of Mr. Briers , a most courteous, kind and obliging public official. In passing, the Mayor made a sympathetic reference to the bereavement Mr. Brown had suffered by the loss of his two sons in the war. That night they were met to express to Mr. Brown their appreciation of his zeal, energy, courtesy and devotion to duty, and to wish him many years to enjoy his retirement. The presentation that was his privilege to make to Mr. brown that night was, he thought, a very handsome one. It consisted of a wallet containing a cheque for �134.2s., with, in addition �6.4s.6d in money. It was a mark of the high esteem in which Mr. Brown was held not only by the staff but also by the travelling public.
Appreciative references to the corteous and obliging manner in which Mr. Brown had discharged his duties were also made by Mr. W.S.Best and Mr. H.W. Harston. The latter had said he had travelled on the L&NWR from Lichfield probably as often as most people in that room. As stationmaster, Mr. Brown did all he possibly could to help the travelling public.
The high esteem in which Mr. Brown was held by the staff was expressed by Messrs H.Neale, G.Dimmock, C.H.Turrell and F.Bateman. Mr Neale said that the name of their stationmaster was one that would go up and down the Trent Valley line for many years to come. Mr Dimmock said that as one of the collectors it was a great pleasure to him to hear from so many people the high esteem in which they held Mr. Brown.
Sergeant Major Neale, speaking in appreciation of what Mr. Brown had done for the military, said it did not matter whatever they required, Mr. Brown had always been willing to do what he could to assist.
MR BROWN`S THANKS
Mr. Brown, in responding, expressed his heartfelt thanks for the gifts which had been made to him. He seemed to have done so little and got so much in return. He could not adequately express his thanks, but he was sincerely grateful to all of them. He appreciated more than anything else the efforts of his own staff from the foreman down to the telephone boy. He thanked Mr. Bowen, the editor of the Mercury and the members of staff for all they had done on his behalf. He almost felt like the curate who having after long years obtained preferment, chose for his text, "Truly goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life," adding "But they have never overtaken me until now." (Laughter).
With pardonable pride Mr. Brown told how many men who had served under him on the railway had obtained important positions.
Inspector Grevatt proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the editor of the Mercury for the very splendid way in which the subscription had been organised. He took the opportunity of expressing his appreciation of Mr. Brown`s services during the many years he had been associated with him. Mr. Brown had always assisted him in every possible way and there was not one of those who had been associated with him who were most sorry to lose him. He had done a great deal of useful work and they all hoped he would live long in health and happiness to enjoy his well earned retirement.
Votes of thanks were also accorded to subscribers, the chairman, secretary and treasurer of the staff committee and the collectors, the host and hostess and the pianist and artistes.
On leaving the railway service David Henry and his family moved to No.16 Beacon Street just a hundred yards or so from Lichfield Cathedral. Unfortunately, he did not enjoy a long and happy retirement. An obituary published in the Mercury stated that David Henry died on December 20th, 1922 at his home after a long and painful illness. he was buried at St,Michael`s. The `long and painful illness` was Pyloric (upper duodenal) Cancer. Apart from the loss of a father, David Henry`s death plunged the family into a financial crisis due to the fact that his railway pension ceased, leaving them without a real income - the eldest of his `second` family being still only 18 years old.
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