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[[File: Gods_Wonderful_Railway_Screenshot_Navvies.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Railway Navvies portrayed in the film [[God's Wonderful Railway]]]]The canals of Britain were known as Inland Navigations and the labourers and tradesmen who built them became known as "'''Navvies'''". As canal building turned to railway building in the 19th century, the name stuck and the Railway Navvies, and their exploits, became almost part of British folklore. By 1850 a quarter of a million workers (more than the combined manpower of the Army and Navy) had constructed more than 3,000 miles of railway line across Britain. Navvies and their families would travel long distances to find work, often tramping on foot. They lived and worked in terrible conditions, often for years at a time. While some would take lodgings in the area, many lived in rough timber or turf huts alongside the bridges, tunnels and cuttings that they built. Despite this they achieved amazing feats of engineering using little more than gunpowder, picks and shovels. Around 900 navvies were used to build the Severn Valley Railway.<ref group="note">[[Bibliography#Books|Nabarro (1971)]] gives around 900. Chris Haynes' research gives around 976 persons on the 1861 census, at a date most of the earthworks had finished. It is therefore likely a higher number were employed for probably the two years of 1859 and 1860</ref> They were mostly recruited from those who had previously worked on the [[Oxford Worcester and Wolverhampton Railway|Oxford Worcester and Wolverhampton]] and Worcester and Hereford Railways, although [[Henry Orlando Bridgeman]] made a special visit to Liverpool in May 1959 to enlarge the labour force<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Nabarro (1971)]] p. 34.</ref><ref group="note">Nabarro reports Bridgeman made a special visit to Liverpool in May 1959 to enlarge the labour force. Bridgeman was, however, employed by [[John Fowler]] working for the [[The Severn Valley Railway Company (19th Century)|SVR Company]] and [[Peto, Brassey and Betts|Thomas Brassey]] was responsible for recruiting workers. Bridgman may have met the contractors in Liverpool to discuss progress on recruitment.</ref>
==1861 Census==
Their ages ranged from under 15 (7) to over 60 (14), with most (416) aged between 20 and 34. 442 were unmarried, 258 married, 20 were widowers and the other 21 unknown.<ref name=JM/>
245 were listed as 'head of household', 313 as lodging in other people’s homes, 123 in inns and lodging houses and 60 in 'temporary or makeshift accommodation' which could have included turf and mud huts, caves and old lime kilns. Census details for the navvies working on the 10 miles of the railway in Worcestershire would presumably have been in similar proportions<ref name=JM>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] pp. 46-47.</ref>. The 1861 census population tables attribute the increase of the population of Shineton, near Wenlock Edge,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/b24751261_0001/page/458/mode/1up Census of England and Wales for the year 1861 : population tables, on archive.org]</ref>, Highley<ref>[https://archive.org/details/b24751261_0001/page/456/mode/1up Census of England and Wales for the year 1861 : population tables, on archive.org]</ref> and Upper Arley,<ref>[https://archive.org/details/b24751261_0001/page/471/mode/1up Census of England and Wales for the year 1861 : population tables, on archive.org]</ref> as being due to temporary workers employed on the railway. ===Worcestershire and Staffordshire===The southern end of the Severn Valley Railway mainly lay in Worcestershire, although at the time it was built Arley was in Staffordshire. 126 persons may be identified in the census as being likely to have been involved in the construction of the railway at the time, based on their proximity to the railway and their type of employment, variously described as 'Railway Labourer', 'Railway Excavator', 'Carpenter on Railway’ or 'Railway Contractor or foreman'. Of these, 37 came from Worcestershire, 30 from the surrounding shires (Salop, Staffs, Warwicks, Herefords), 44 from elsewhere in England, 4 from Ireland, 4 from Scotland, France and Spain and 7 unknown. Their ages ranged from under 20 (15, of which the youngest was aged 11) to over 60 (2, of whom the oldest was 67) with most (81) being aged between 20 and 39. 40 were resident at Wribbenhall, 39 at Arley, 12 at Bewdley/Ribbesford, 12 at Stourport/Mitton, 5 at Hartlebury and 18 in the Kidderminster area. 55 were married with family present. 62 were in lodgings, including 13 recorded as lodging in Railway Huts. There were 7 'Railway Huts' recorded with the address 'Railway Station Arley, Pound Green' These were probably adjacent to the line between the station and [[Victoria Bridge]]. Each of the Huts were run by a ‘head’ being an experienced Railway Labourer with a wife and up to 4 children living there as well. They were from Devon, Ireland Hereford and Bedfordshire. 21 navvies were present in the huts with 19 wives and children. Two of the huts had only 2 persons present probably reflecting the run down of the works at this late stage in construction<ref>Review of the 1861 census by Chris Haynes</ref>.
==Newspaper reports==
Other than the 1861 Census, very little evidence remains of the men who were employed in building the Severn Valley Railway apart from newspaper reports, which unfortunately focus almost entirely on either accidents or court appearances.
===Accidents===*1859 "LABOURERS STRIKINGFALL OF EARTH.-A short distance from William Bennet, a labourer working on the Severn Valley Railway, near [[Sandbourne Viaduct | Sambourne]], upon was on Saturday severely injured by a fall of earth. He is going on favourably under the care of Dr. Montgomery."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000350/18590202/025/0003 Worcestershire Chronicle - Wednesday 2 February 1859, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> The incident bears comparison with the accident suffered by the young Robbie in the first series of [[God's Wonderful Railway]]. *1859 "RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—CORONER'S INQUEST.-On Monday, the 26th September an inquest was held at the Town Hall, in Bridgnorth, before W. D. Butte, Esq. Coroner, and a respectable jury, on the body of Benjamin Downes, a young man in the employ of Mr. James Wallace, sub-contractor for the making of the Severn Valley Railway line, there is a deep in this town, and who came by his death in the following awfully-sudden manner : —The deceased's duty was to hook and long unhook the trucks proceeding up the cutting of sandstonethe railway making on the Eardington and Oldbury road and he was observed hanging on one of the waggons whilst they were running at a very rapid speed, when his foot, projecting out, must have struck some obstacle, which caused him to fall across the rail, when the train of waggons passed over his neck and chest, killing him instantaneously. Mr. Wallace, Edward Bache, and a boy named Brown were examined and gave evidence, when, under the direction of the coroner, the men have great difficulty jury returned a verdict of accidental death."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001466/18591005/068/0006 Eddowes's Journal, and General Advertiser for Shropshire, and the Principality of Wales - Wednesday 05 October 1859, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> *1859 "ACCIDENT IN THE RAILWAY TUNNEL- -On Thursday, an accident occurred in this tunnel to one of Mr. Hassall's gangers, named James Windy, by a slip of the rock, whilst he was engaged in mining. He was severely injured across the legs, sustaining very severe cuts; but fortunately no bones were broken. Mr. Mathias was quickly in getting attendance, and we are glad to state that the poor fellow is progressing favourably."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000401/18591202/037/0005 Shrewsbury Chronicle - Friday 2 December 1859, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> *1860 "INQUEST,—On Monday, an inquest was held at the Board Room, Atcham Union Workhouse, before Corbet Davies, Esq., deputy coroner for the Ford District, on view of the body of a youth named James Painting, who had met withhis death from injuries received by some railway waggons passing over his body. On Tuesday James Halbert said : I live in one of the huts on the Severn Valley Railway in the parish of Berrington ; I am in the employ of John Combes, a contracter :I am a driver, I know the deceased; on Monday, the 2nd of January, he was breaking a wagon in the turn out ; there were four waggons coupled together in motion at the time ; he put the scotch in the first waggon (the two fore wheels) and pulled at it the force of the waggons threw out the scotch, and he fell to the ground sideways across the rail, he fell on the left side ; three waggons went over him ; they went over one arm and two legs ; if he had put the scotch in the lastwaggon the accident would not have happened, he was alive when picked up.—By a Juror : I consider the work very dangerous, it is a common practice to have boys in the turn out, their masterI lost my arm by that I work twelve years ago."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000401/18600113/021/0004 Shrewsbury Chronicle - Friday 13 January 1860, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> *1860 On 23 January a labourer at [[Mount Pleasant Tunnel]] lost an eye and part of his nose when a sublarge piece of timber fell on him.<ref name=BWJ>Berrow's Worcester Journal, reported in [[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] p. 47.</ref> *1860 "ACCIDENT IN THE TUNNEL.--On Monday, an accident of the most serious nature occurred to Mr. Cruppar, the contractorfor the brickwork in the tunnel. The unfortunate man was engaged on the scaffolding, when he accidentally fell to the ground, his head coming is contact with the metals, informed them and we are most sorry say that he should require them sustained very severe injuries on the head, as also on the back. Medical assistance was at once procured."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0000401/18600321/034/0003 Shrewsbury Chronicle - Wednesday 21 March 1860, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> *1860 "BRIDGNORTH - RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN THE TUNNEL. — On Thursday morning last a lamentable occurrence took place in [[Bridgnorth Tunnel|the tunnel of the Severn Valley Railway, now being constructed in the new town]]. It appears that whilst Samuel Burton, a navvie, was busily engaged in excavating part of the rock at a place where it had recently been blasted, a large mass of the rock gave way and fell with considerable force on the back of the unfortunate fellow, who, thus prostrated, suffered from a dislocation of the spine and the fracture of several ribs. He was at once conveyed to his residence in the Cart Way, where medical assistance was immediately afforded him, but we regret to fill 15 state with little effect, as the man is gradually sinking and his friends despair of his recovery from the serious injuries he has experienced."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001467/18600418/069/0006 Eddowes's Journal, and General Advertiser for Shropshire, and the Principality of Wales - Wednesday 18 April 1860, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> *1860 "STOURPORT - MISHAP ON THE LINE,—On Thursday last the works on the Severn Valley Railway, near this town, were somewhat retarded by the giving way of a temporary wooden bridge, it appears that the trucks per day instead laden with soil were passing over when it gave way, and five trucks were precipitated into the road, and also the man, who fortunately escaped without injury. The works are progressing very favourably."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000033/18600514/016/0004 Birmingham Daily Post - Monday 14 May 1860, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> *1860 "FALLING IN OF A RAILWAY TUNNEL.-An accident; which, had it taken place an hour sooner, would have imperilled the lives of 17 human beings, has occurred on the SEVERN Valley Railway, a new line is course of construction from Shrewsbury to Stourport. Close to Bridgnorth, [[Bridgnorth Tunnel|an extensive tunnel is in course of excavation]], which will partially run under the town. Above the entrance, and for some distance into the tunnel, there was a thickness of some 30 or 40 feet of 14soil, their in which a number of large trees were rooted. The usual numberprops and supports had been used to keep up this mass while the brickwork was being executed. Sixteen men were employed in the tunnel, and these had only left work about an hour when the superincumbent mass fell in, chocking up the tunnel with earth, rock, and trees, for a distance of 50 feet. It is expected that this accident will somewhat retard the opening of the line, which was fixed for next May."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001894/18601127/069/0003 Nottingham Journal - Tuesday 27 November 1860, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> *1860 "SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY.—The rain has greatly impeded the works on this line. A few days ago, part of a high stone wall, forming a facing to an embankment adjoining [[Wribbenhall Viaduct|the viaduct over the turnpike road at Wribbenhall]], fell; two men fell along with it, but fortunately no one was hurt."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000401/18601228/030/0005 Shrewsbury Chronicle - Friday 28 December 1860, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> *1861 On 9 January 1861 in a cutting south of [[Mount Pleasant Tunnel]], a navvy named Jessie Bishop was killed when a blast hurled rocks at his head. The ganger was instructed to ensure that men were withdrawn to a safe distance before blasting.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Nabarro (1971)]] p. 36.</ref><ref name=BWJ/> *1861 "BROSELEY - SAD ACCIDENT TO A NAVVIE AT THE ROVING.— On Sunday tool last distressing cries were heard at some distance from this unfrequented part of the valley, but without those hearing them being able to distinguish the direction in which they came, or the exact locality from which they proceeded. As they continued for some hours— from about twelve o’clock till three or four – Mr. Jackson, of Sutton Wood on the opposite side of the river, got up with his two sons, and, called a man Oliver to assist, procured a boat and crossed the Severn, thinking that some brother keeper had been left half dead by poachers. After some considerable time they came upon the object of their search — a man with his leg broken in two places from a fall on the side of the hill and weltering in a pool of blood. It appeared that, having been to Broseley for his provisions and having probably got more drink than was good for him, he had fallen in descending the hill side. He was taken to some temporary huts on the line, and medical assistance was sent for."<ref>Eddowes’s Shrewsbury Journal 6 February 1861, via [http://www.broseley.org.uk/Papers/BROSELEY%201861.mht Broseley Local History Society 1861 transcriptions]</ref> *1861 On 9 March a navvy was injured in the [[Eymore Cutting|cutting south of Victoria Bridge]] when a 20lb clod of earth fell on him from a height of 20-40ft. He was taken to Bewdley in a fishing boat and 'immediately leftplaced under the care of Dr Webster'. A few days later a navvy was almost killed in a cutting at [[Arley]] when three wagon loads of earth fell on him.<ref name=BWJ/> *1861 "TARBET’S DINGLE - ACCIDENT UPON THE SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY.—On Saturday morning last a man employed on [[Coalport Brick & Tile Works Siding|these works, where there is a considerable slope]], had his thigh broken by a fall of earth. He was carried, we believe, to Bridgnorth Infirmary."<ref>Eddowes’s Shrewsbury Journal 29 May 1861, via Broseley Local History Society</ref> *1861 "IRONBRIDGE - FATAL ACCIDENT.—On Friday last a boy named Evans, son of Thomas Evans, of the Little Ferry, near [[Bower Yard Lime Kilns Siding|Benthall Edge]], met with his death under the following circumstances :—Deceased, who was a boy eight or nine years old, had got upon a truck on the Severn Valley Railway, taking loaded with them their toolslimestone, and which tips on its side. It appears that he lay upon the board which lifts up and down upon a hinge, and his weight overbalancing the carriage he turned the load over upon himself. When extricated from under it he was quite dead and much mutilated."<ref name=ESJ2509>Eddowes’s Shrewsbury Journal 25 September 1861, via Broseley Local History Society</ref> *1861 "ACCIDENT ON THE SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY.—On Wednesday Richard Jones, a navvy, while getting into one of the empty trucks at [[Hampton Loade|Hamptons Load]], fell under the wheels, which passed over his right foot, and have gone so injured his toes that he had to submit to amputation."<ref name=ESJ2509/> *1862 "FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY. — An accident, which terminated fatally to one of the workmen on the Severn Valley Railway, a man named John Grosby, occurred on Tuesday. Near to the [[Buildwas]] station a siding is being constructed; and, in quest order to expedite the work, night relays of men are employed. About half-put three o’clock on the morning of employment elsewherethe day named an engine passed down the line from Shrewsbury. It was stopped at the Buildwas station for a supply of water, and whilst there the discovery was made that one of the labourers had been run over. He was found close to the rails, with both his legs cut off. The engine was backed, and the poor fellow was placed thereon, and conveyed to the Bridgnorth Infirmary, where he expired about seven o’clock. The unfortunate man has left a widow and two children to mourn his untimely end. An inquest was held on view of the remains at the Squirrel Inn, Bridgnorth, before W. D. Bette, Esq., coroner, and a verdict of “Accidental Death” was returned."<ref>Worcestershire Shrewsbury Chronicle 17th January 1862, reported in [http://www.broseley.org.uk/Papers/Broseley%201862.pdf Broseley Papers]</ref> *1875 "SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON THE KIDDERMINSTER AND BEWDLEY LOOP LINE.- A serious accident occurred on Wednesday 26 January 1859 morning on the line in course of construction between Kidderminster and Bewdley. The contractors. Messrs. Dickenson and Crockett, have a large staff of men engaged on the works, the heaviest part of which comprises the cutting of a tunnel through the sandstone ridge to the west of the Stourport Road. The hardness of the rock necessitates its being blasted, and on Wednesday seven men were engaged in this work, when a charge they had put in failed to explode. It was determined to put in a fresh charge, and whilst the men were proceeding to do this it is supposed that a spark from the iron tools striking the rock caused the original charge to take fire. The explosion of the gunpowder blew six of the men some distance from the spot, and when their comrades ran to them they were found to be badly hurt. Two, whose injuries were most severe, were removed to the Kidderminster Infirmary, and the other four men were taken to their lodgings. One of the men has lost his eyesight by the accident. It is stated that all the men are strangers to Kidderminster."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000150/18750918/003/0003 Worcester Journal - Saturday 18 September 1875, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> *1876 "ACCIDENT AT HOLLOWAY'S THEATRE.—An accident occurred at this theatre, on Saturday evening, to a navvy named Yates. He went to the Theatre to witness the play, and when going to his seat, his foot slipped, and he fell upon his leg, which was broken. He was subsequently admitted to the Kidderminster Infirmary where the broken limb was successfully set. Yates Was engaged on the line, and met with an accident some weeks since, when he had the misfortune to break the same limb."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/00003500000150/1859012618760311/038004/00040003 Worcester Journal - Saturday 11 March 1876, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1859 1876 "FALL OF EARTHFATAL ACCIDENT ON THE LOOP LINE.-William Bennet—A serious accident occurred on the loop line now being constructed between Kidderminster and Bewdley on Wednesday night, resulting in the death of two men and the serious injury of two others. About sixteen men were engaged on the night turn at the Bewdley end of the tunnel which is being driven, and suddenly a labourer working on large mass of earth fell. A number of men were knocked down, but those only slightly covered with soil soon crawled out. Unfortunately, four of the men were deeply buried in the Severn Valley Railwayearth, near [[Sandbourne Viaduct | Sambourne]]and though vigorous steps were taken to reach them, it was on Saturday two hours before they were all found. Henry Phillips and Matthew Jones, said to be Staffordshire men, were dead; and Michael Greenall, and a fourth man, whose name we could not learn, were severely injured by a fall of earthhurt. The deceased were both married men and leave families. Mr. He is going David Corbet was soon on favourably under the care of Dr. Montgomeryspot, and attended to the two injured men, who were conveyed to Wribbenhall, where they remain in a precarious state."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/00003500001785/1859020218760318/025103/0003 Worcestershire Chronicle 0008 Kidderminster Times and Advertiser for Bewdley & Stourport - Wednesday 02 February 1859Saturday 18 March 1876, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> The incident bears comparison with the accident suffered by the young Robbie in the first series of [[God's Wonderful Railway]].
*1859 1876 "A RAILWAY DEFAULTERACCIDENT ON THE NEW LOOP LINE.—On Friday last—One Of the men, one of the gangers named David DeerAbel Cooper, residing at Wribbenhall, employed upon who are engaged in constructing the Severn Valley Railwaynew loop line between Bewdley and Kidderminster met with a serious accident on Monday evening whilst at work in the tunnel. A truck used for carrying away the soil was running along the metals, at Upper Areleyand came in contact with Cooper, abscondedwho was knocked down, taking with him and the whole wheel went over one of his legs, causing an extensive laceration. Mr. C. Webster, surgeon, Bewdley, was summoned to attend the wages due man, and although the latter is going on as well as could be expected, he will be confined to about twelve or fifteen of the house fur a considerable period. The accident occurred not far from where two men for a fortnight's labour, leaving the poor fellows and their families completely destitutewere buried alive three weeks ago."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000150/1859071618760408/031005/0008 0003 Worcester Journal - Saturday 16 July 185908 April 1876, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1859 1876 "VIOLENT OUTRAGE AND ASSAULT BY A RAILWAY CONTRACTOR James WallaceFATAL ACCIDENTS IN KIDDERMINSTER. Yesterday morning, shortly after eleven o'clock a shocking accident happened on the loop-line now in course of construction, between Bewdley and Kidderminster. About 80 men were engaged on the employ Kidderminster side of the directors of tunnel, excavating the Severn Valley Railway Companyearth, was brought up in custody charged with committing an outrageous assault and seriously wounding William Beddowwhile four men were standing upon some rock about 9 feet from the metals, shovelling earth into the waggons, one a portion of the workmen on the railwayrock weighing about 15 tons suddenly slipped. The complainant, who had his head enveloped and bound up It is said that there was a " fault" in clothes, appeared at the magistrates office on Monday morning, at eleven o'clockrock, and with difficulty gave his deposition before Aldermen Deightonthe moment it slipped a volume of water rushed from the fissure. One of the men, Nocknamed John Pritchard, and Richardsliving at Sutton Common, who heard the case jumped to the following effect :— Complainant went about nine this morning to ground, and the workshop whole of the company and demanded rock fell upon him, completely entombing his wages due for three days body. The other men were more fortunate. They slipped with the rock, and quarter work none were seriously injured; the prisoner Wallace refused although one of them was buried up to his shoulders. Strange to pay him till the regular pay day (Friday) : words ensued about itsay, when complainant was knocked down by Wallace by a blow on the face ; he did not know what withuninjured men showed no ready disposition to extricate Pritchard, but he lay senseless for full a quarter regarding his case as hopeless. Mr. Dickinson and one of his foremen named Swager, set to work, and in about half an hour before he was were able to rise ; he was seriously injured about bring out the headbody, which was then quite dead. The man had fallen headlong and had his feet were fond first. The body was removed to get a surgeon's assistancean adjoining public house, when an inquest will be held. Mr. Wallace attempted to prove that the complainant had used threatening words to him, W. Cowen and challenged him to fight, but failed Mr. D. Corbel were soon on the cross-examination. A surgeon's certificate was put in to show the wounded man was in a most precarious state, spot and, notwithstanding rendered all the urgent plea of Wallace to take bail, the magistrates decided upon committing him to gaol to be brought up at eleven o'clock to-morrow morning for re-examinationassistance possible. The event has caused considerable stir in injured men were taken to the town and its environsInfirmary."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/00014660001785/1859083118760916/070099/0005 Eddowes's Journal, Kidderminster Times and General Advertiser for ShropshireBewdley & Stourport - Saturday 16 September 1876, and on the Principality of Wales - Wednesday 31 August 1859British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1859 1876 "RAILWAY ANOTHER ACCIDENTON THE LOOP LINE.—CORONER'S INQUEST.-On —On Monday, another accident occurred in the 26th September an inquest was held at tunnel on the Town Hall, Loop line between Bewdley and Kidderminster. The engines were engaged as usual in Bridgnorthremoving the soil, before W. D. Butterock, Esq&co. Coroner, and a respectable jury, on from the body of Benjamin Downesline, when by some mischance a young man in the employ of Mr. James Wallace, sub-contractor for the making of the Severn Valley Railway, in this townnamed Philip Stanley, and who came by his death in the following awfully-sudden manner : —The deceased's duty was stoker to hook and unhook the trucks proceeding up the cutting of the railway making on the Eardington and Oldbury road and he was observed hanging on one of the waggons whilst they were running at a very rapid speed, when his foot, projecting out, must have struck some obstacle, which caused him to fall across the railengines, when the train of waggons passed over his neck got between that and chesta truck, killing him instantaneouslyreceiving serious internal injuries. Mr. Wallace, Edward Bache, and a boy named Brown were examined and gave evidence, when, under He was removed to the direction of the coroner, the jury returned a verdict of accidental deathInfirmary where he lies."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/00014660001785/1859100518760923/068108/0006 Eddowes's Journal, 0008 Kidderminster Times and General Advertiser for ShropshireBewdley & Stourport - Saturday 23 September 1876, and on the Principality of Wales - Wednesday 05 October 1859British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1859 1877 "CHARGE OF STEALING A SPADETERRIBLE GUNPOWDER EXPLOSION NEAR KIDDERMINSTER - TWO MEN FRIGHTFULLY INJURED.An explosion occurred at mid-At day, on the County Police-court on Saturdayline now in course of construction, before Mrbetween Kidderminster and Bewdley. Corbett, John Owen, labourer on Two men were blasting rock near the Severn Valley Railwaytunnel, was charged with stealing when a spade, portion of the property of Thomas Jonesfuse fell into a gunpowder barrel, and a fellow workman, living at Factory-yard, Colehamtremendous report was heard. The spade was deposited in Both men were hurled a considerable distance by the tool-shed, and missed on Friday evening. The prosecutor proceeded at once to give information to force of the policeexplosion, and on walking up when found among the Wyle-cop, Shrewsbury, he espied debris were frightfully injured about the stolen article at the door upper part of a marine store dealer's shop, ticketed their bodies. It seems almost impossible for sale, 1.s. 6d. The case was remanded them to the Condover petty sessions on Friday (this day)live."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/00004010000150/1859110418770224/031019/0004 Shrewsbury Chronicle 0005 Worcester Journal - Friday 4 November 1859Saturday 24 February 1877, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
===Court appearances and other===*1859 "STEALING RABBITSLABOURERS STRIKING.—Joseph Smith and Peter Young, two navvies, were charged with stealing two tame rabbits, on Sunday night last-A short distance from [[Sandbourne Viaduct | Sambourne]], upon the property of Mr. George Fowler. There being no evidence against SmithSevern Valley Railway line, he was discharged. Young, when asked if he had anything to say, replied, "he had there is a good deal, but if he could not do a person any good, he would do them no harm." He pleaded guilty, deep and was sentenced to fourteen days' hard labour.-Joseph Smithlong cutting of sandstone, which the man charged with stealing the rabbits men have great difficulty in the foregoing case, was charged getting on with stealing a quantity of timber. On Tuesday last, and horse rug and various sackstheir master, the property of [[Petoa sub-contractor, Brassey and Betts|Mr. Thomas Brassey]], contractor for the Severn Valley Railway. Inspector Stanton stated informed them that on searching Smith's house he found this property. Smith had nothing should require them to say in his defencefill 15 trucks per day instead of 14, their usual number; but pleaded guiltythey immediately left, taking with them their tools, and was sentenced to one month's hard labourhave gone in quest of employment elsewhere."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000350/1859111618590126/036038/0004 , Worcestershire Chronicle - Wednesday 16 November 26 January 1859, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1860 1859 "INQUEST,A RAILWAY DEFAULTER.—On MondayFriday last, an inquest was held at the Board Room, Atcham Union Workhouse, before Corbet Davies, Esq., deputy coroner for the Ford District, on view one of the body of a youth gangers named James PaintingDavid Deer, who had met with his death from injuries received by some railway waggons passing over his body. James Halbert said : I live in one of the huts on employed upon the Severn Valley Railway in the parish of Berrington ; I am in the employ of John Combes, a contracter :I am a driverat Upper Areley, I know the deceased; on Mondayabsconded, taking with him the 2nd whole of January, he was breaking a wagon in the turn out ; there were four waggons coupled together in motion at the time ; he put the scotch in the first waggon (the two fore wheels) and pulled at it the force wages due to about twelve or fifteen of the waggons threw out the scotch, and he fell to the ground sideways across the railmen for a fortnight's labour, he fell on leaving the left side ; three waggons went over him ; they went over one arm poor fellows and two legs ; if he had put the scotch in the last waggon the accident would not have happened, he was alive when picked up.—By a Juror : I consider the work very dangerous, it is a common practice to have boys in the turn out, I lost my arm by that I work twelve years agotheir families completely destitute."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/00004010000150/1860011318590716/021031/0004 Shrewsbury Chronicle 0008 Worcester Journal - Friday 13 January 1860Saturday 16 July 1859, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1860 On 23 January a labourer 1859 "VIOLENT OUTRAGE AND ASSAULT BY A RAILWAY CONTRACTOR James Wallace, in the employ of the directors of the Severn Valley Railway Company, was brought up in custody charged with committing an outrageous assault and seriously wounding William Beddow, one of the workmen on the railway. The complainant, who had his head enveloped and bound up in clothes, appeared at the magistrates office on Monday morning, at [[Mount Pleasant Tunnel]] lost an eye eleven o'clock, and with difficulty gave his deposition before Aldermen Deighton, Nock, and part Richards, who heard the case to the following effect :— Complainant went about nine this morning to the workshop of the company and demanded his nose wages due for three days and quarter work ; the prisoner Wallace refused to pay him till the regular pay day (Friday) : words ensued about it, when complainant was knocked down by Wallace by a blow on the face ; he did not know what with, but he lay senseless for full a large piece quarter of timber fell an hour before he was able to rise ; he was seriously injured about the head, and had to get a surgeon's assistance. Mr. Wallace attempted to prove that the complainant had used threatening words to him, and challenged him to fight, but failed on the cross-examination. A surgeon's certificate was put in to show the wounded man was in a most precarious state, and, notwithstanding the urgent plea of Wallace to take bail, the magistrates decided upon committing himto gaol to be brought up at eleven o'clock to-morrow morning for re-examination. The event has caused considerable stir in the town and its environs."<ref name=BWJ>Berrow[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001466/18590831/070/0005 Eddowes's Worcester Journal, reported and General Advertiser for Shropshire, and the Principality of Wales - Wednesday 31 August 1859, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> *1859 "NOVEL USE OF THE TUNNEL OR THE NEW TOWN IN UPROAR.--On Monday, the 26th September, the neighbourhood of this locality was thrown into the utmost excitement by the discovery, rather ''mal-a-propos'' of the amours of a son of Vulcan, a married man, with three children, with a damsel well known for her piping-hot qualities at the court of Venus, who, although not favouring the temple of Hymen and his vows, has most prodigally, in times past, favoured her native town with three fine specimens of juvenile vitality. Be this as it may, on the night in question, the blacksmith, who is employed on the new Severn Valley Railway making here, met the nymph by appointment, which, in a short time, was carried to the ears of his deserted wife, who at once, with a troop of her friends, started off to the rescue of her faithless spouse, no doubt with threats loud and deep. The offending parties were come upon in the crisis of fate, and flight was the order of the day, and, after a running chase, the loving couple took shelter from pursuit at the mouth of the new tunnel which they entered like Dido and Eneas, crouching up at the extent of its furthest end till terms of capitulation were granted them, when they surrendered. At night, at a later period, the New Town was brilliantly illuminated, and the frail pair were at full length burnt in effigy by the indignant populace, at a bonfire made expressly for the occasion."<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001466/18591005/068/0006 Eddowes's Journal, and General Advertiser for Shropshire, and the Principality of Wales - Wednesday 5 October 1859, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref> *1859 "CHARGE OF STEALING A SPADE.-At the County Police-court on Saturday, before Mr. Corbett, John Owen, labourer on the Severn Valley Railway, was charged with stealing a spade, the property of Thomas Jones, a fellow workman, living at Factory-yard, Coleham. The spade was deposited in the tool-shed, and missed on Friday evening. The prosecutor proceeded at once to give information to the police, and on walking up the Wyle-cop, Shrewsbury, he espied the stolen article at the door of a marine store dealer's shop, ticketed for sale, 1.s. 6d. The case was remanded to the Condover petty sessions on Friday (1989this day)]] p. 47"<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000401/18591104/031/0004 Shrewsbury Chronicle - Friday 4 November 1859, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1860 1859 "STEALING A WHEELBARROWRABBITS.—Yesterday—Joseph Smith and Peter Young, two navvies, were charged with stealing two tame rabbits, on Sunday night last, at the Borough Police-courtproperty of Mr. George Fowler. There being no evidence against Smith, he was discharged. Young, when asked if he had anything to say, Richard Jonesreplied, "he had a labourergood deal, but if he could not do a person any good, he would do them no harm." He pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to fourteen days' hard labour.-Joseph Smith, the man charged with stealing the rabbits in the foregoing case, was charged with stealing a wheelbarrowquantity of timber, and horse rug and various sacks, the property of [[Peto, Brassey and Betts|MessrsMr. Thomas Brassey and Field]], and which belonged to the works of contractor for the Severn Valley Railway, and was of the value of 10s. The prisoner was brought up Inspector Stanton stated that on remand. —On Wednesday last police-constable Cheshire was on duty in the Circus, when the prisoner accosted him, and charged some one with stealing a barrow belonging to himsearching Smith's house he found this property. The police-officer Smith had previously observed a barrow, which he imagined belonged nothing to Mr. Gordon, and ultimately discovered it. The prisoner claimed the barrow as say in his owndefence, but it was proved that it belonged to the Severn Valley Railway, by James Thomas, an employee, who identified it from the fact that it was made of sapling oakpleaded guilty, and the handle, which had split, was fastened with a nail in a peculiar manner. Prisoner, on being once interrogated about the barrow coming into his possession, said the policeman wanted sentenced to know too much; another time he professed to have found it in Meole brook, and latterly maintained that it belonged to Mr. Wace, lawyer.—He was committed to the sessions for trialone month's hard labour."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/00004010000350/1860021518591116/012036/0002 Shrewsbury 0004 Worcestershire Chronicle - Wednesday 15 February 186016 November 1859, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1860 BOROUGH PETTY SESSION"STEALING A WHEELBARROW.—Yesterday, Monday.at the Borough Police-Before R. O. Backhousecourt, Esq.Richard Jones, Mayora labourer, T. W. Wylde Brownewas charged with stealing a wheelbarrow, T. Smiththe property of [[Peto, Brassey and TBetts|Messrs. Colley. Esqrs. —Forgery: James TurnerBrassey and Field]], a navvy employed on and which belonged to the works of the Severn Valley Railway under Mr James Wallis, sub-contractor, and was charged with uttering a forged cheque for 3s, with of the name value of W. Wallis attached thereto10s. The said cheque prisoner was passed by prisoner to Mrsbrought up on remand. Smith—On Wednesday last police-constable Cheshire was on duty in the Circus, of when the Crown prisoner accosted him, and Cushion publiccharged some one with stealing a barrow belonging to him. The police-house, in this townofficer had previously observed a barrow, on the 28th ult. for which he received goods imagined belonged to that amountMr. Gordon, and ultimately discovered it. Suspicion The prisoner claimed the barrow as his own, but it was attached proved that it belonged to the prisonerSevern Valley Railway, by James Thomas, an employee, in consequence who identified it from the fact that it was made of many forged cheques of a similar nature being in circulationsapling oak, and he not coming to claim his wages on the Friday nighthandle, which had split, information was given to Chief constable Colefastened with a nail in a peculiar manner. Prisoner, who traced on being once interrogated about the prisoner to Wenlockbarrow coming into his possession, and took him into custody said the following morning policeman wanted to know too much; another time he professed to have found it in a lodging-houseMeole brook, and conveyed him latterly maintained that it belonged to the Bridgnorth lock-upMr. The prisoner admitted uttering a similar forged chequeWace, but not the one produced against him, and the bench fully lawyer.—He was committed him to take his the sessions for trial at the ensuing assizes."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000401/1860030918600215/065012/0006 0002 Shrewsbury Chronicle - Friday 9 March Wednesday 15 February 1860, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1860 "BRIDGNORTH BOROUGH PETTY SESSION, Monday.- RAILWAY ACCIDENT IN THE TUNNELBefore R. O. Backhouse, Esq., Mayor, T. W. Wylde Browne, T. Smith, and T. Colley. — On Thursday morning last Esqrs. —Forgery: James Turner, a lamentable occurrence took place in the tunnel of navvy employed on the Severn Valley Railwayunder Mr James Wallis, now being constructed in the new town. It appears that whilst Samuel Burtonsub-contractor, was charged with uttering a navvieforged cheque for 3s, with the name of W. Wallis attached thereto. The said cheque was busily engaged in excavating part of the rock at a place where it had recently been blastedpassed by prisoner to Mrs. Smith, a large mass of the rock gave way Crown and fell with considerable force Cushion public-house, in this town, on the back of 28th ult. for which he received goods to that amount. Suspicion was attached to the unfortunate fellowprisoner, who, thus prostratedin consequence of many forged cheques of a similar nature being in circulation, suffered from a dislocation of the spine and he not coming to claim his wages on the fracture of several ribs. He Friday night, information was at once conveyed given to his residence in Chief constable Cole, who traced the Cart Wayprisoner to Wenlock, where medical assistance was immediately afforded and took himinto custody the following morning in a lodging-house, but we regret and conveyed him to state with little effectthe Bridgnorth lock-up. The prisoner admitted uttering a similar forged cheque, as but not the man is gradually sinking one produced against him, and the bench fully committed him to take his friends despair of his recovery from trial at the serious injuries he has experiencedensuing assizes."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/00014670000401/1860041818600309/069065/0006 Eddowes's JournalShrewsbury Chronicle - Friday 9 March 1860, and General Advertiser for Shropshire, and on the Principality of Wales - Wednesday 18 April 1860British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1860 "APPREHENSION OF A NIGHT POACHER.—It may perhaps be in the recollection of some of our readers that at the March Assizes last year, George Massey, " a navvy," who had been working on the Severn Valley Railway, near Stourport, was convicted and sentenced to nine months' hard labour for poaching in Shrawley Wood, on the 15th of the previous January, when one of the gamekeepers of the late T. B. Vernon Esq., of Hanbury Hall, was shot at and severely wounded. Two of Massey's fellow-labourers on the railway were implicated in the offence, both of whom absconded, and notwithstanding that attempts were made at the time both by the usual notice in the Hue and Cry<ref group="note">'Hue and Cry' was a publication which later became the 'Police Gazette'. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Police_Gazette_(Great_Britain_and_Ireland) Police Gazette on Wikipedia]</ref>, and the offer of a reward by Mr. Vernon to find them out, they escaped detection. One of them, named John Smith, alias Baylis, alias - "Hard Head," has been lately employed at the tunnel on the Worcester and Hereford railway, near Malvern. Police-superintendent Phillips, of the Worcester division having received information, went to the tunnel, where he apprehended him. The prisoner denied his knowledge of the matter but made no resistance. He was brought to Worcester, and taken before H. B. Tymbs, Esq., when be was remanded, to go before the justices of the Hundred House Division."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000350/18600425/021/0004 Worcestershire Chronicle - Wednesday 25 April 1860, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1860 "STOURPORT BROSELEY - MISHAP ON THE LINECLEVER CAPTURE.-Some few weeks back,—On Thursday last John Fewtrill was convicted at the works Petty Session, for having been trespassing in pursuit of game upon the land of Lord Forester, he was sentenced to fine or a imprisonment. The fine not having been paid, he made himself scarce for a time. Lately, he has returned, and found safer employment on the Severn Valley Railway. A warrant had been issued for his apprehension, near this townand placed in the hand of that active police constable, were somewhat retarded by Jones. This latter made his apearance at the cutting at which his quarry was employed, in the giving way character of a temporary wooden bridgemere spectator. While thus engaged, it appears Fewtrill, perhaps thinking that the trucks laden presence of the officer boded no good to him, bolted towards the river, apparently with soil were passing over when it gave waythe intention or placing the river between him and his pursuer. On reaching the bank he changed his purpose, and five trucks were precipitated into ran at a rattling pace down the roadtowing-path, and also tumbling rather than jumping over the mangate ; but Police-constable Jones was not less swift of foot, Alter a gallant chase, the foot of the policeman touched the heel of Fewtrill; who fortunately escaped without injurywent down at his length under the policeman. To secure the quarry, The works are progressing very favourablythe handcuffs were soon put In requisition, and he was marched off to Broseley. Later in the evening the fine and costs were paid—some 20s, odd."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000033/1860051418600820/016006/0004 0003 Birmingham Daily Post - Monday 14 May 20 August 1860, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1860 "BROSELEY - CLEVER CAPTURE.MAGISTRATES COURT, TUESDAY:-Some few weeks back, John Fewtrill was convicted at the Petty Session, for having been trespassing in pursuit Charge of game upon the land of Lord ForesterStealing Eight Sovereigns : James Bradshaw, he was sentenced to fine or a imprisonment. The fine not having been paid, he made himself scarce for a time. Latelydecent looking man, who said he has returnedcame from Manchester last week, and found safer employment on was engaged upon the Severn Valley Railway. A warrant had been issued for his apprehension, and placed in the hand of that active police constable, Jones. This latter made his apearance at the cutting at which his quarry was employedcharged with stealing eight sovereigns, in the character of a mere spectator. While thus engaged, Fewtrill, perhaps thinking that the presence of the officer boded but no good to him, bolted towards the river, apparently with the intention or placing the river between him and his pursuer. On reaching the bank evidence being adduced he changed his purpose, and ran at a rattling pace down the towing-path, tumbling rather than jumping over the gate ; but Police-constable Jones was not less swift of foot, Alter a gallant chase, the foot of the policeman touched the heel of Fewtrill; who went down at his length under the policeman. To secure the quarry, the handcuffs were soon put In requisition, and he was marched off to Broseley. Later in the evening the fine and costs were paid—some 20s, odddischarged."<ref>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/00000330001467/1860082018600905/006051/0003 Birmingham Daily Post 0004 Eddowes's Journal, and General Advertiser for Shropshire, and the Principality of Wales - Monday 20 August Wednesday 05 September 1860, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1861 On 9 January 1861 in a cutting south 1860 "BRIDGNORTH - COUNTY SESSIONS A working man on the Severn Valley Railway was charged with stealing timber, the property of [[Mount Pleasant Tunnel]]his employers, a navvy was killed when a blast hurled rocks at his headon the evening of Friday last. The ganger He was instructed committed to ensure that men were withdrawn to a safe distance before blastingShrewsbury gaol for seven days."<ref name=BWJ>[https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001308/18601212/098/0007 Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser - Wednesday 12 December 1860, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
*1861 On 9 March a navvy was injured in the [[Eyemore Cutting|cutting south of Victoria Bridge]] when a 20lb clod of earth fell on him from a height of 20-40ft"A DRUNKEN Navvy. —On Saturday, before W. W. Browne, Esq. He and Alderman Nock, Richard Cleyton was taken to Bewdley in a fishing boat brought up, charged with drunkenness, and 'immediately placed under the care of Dr Webster'fined 10s. A few and costs, or 14 days later a navvy was almost killed in a cutting at [[Arley]] when three wagon loads of earth fell on himdefault. Committed."<ref name=BWJESJ2509/>
*1862 FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY. — An accident1861 "Robbery by a Navvy : William Bache, which terminated fatally to one of the workmen working on the Severn Valley Railwayrailway, was charged with stealing a man named John Grosbybundle of clothing, occurred on Tuesday. Near to the [[Buildwas]] station property of Henry Williams, also a siding is being constructed; navvy, containing two pairs of moleskin trowsers, waistcoat, shirt, smockfrock, two handkerchiefs, pair of boots, tin can, razor andstrop, in order to expedite and other articles. The facts of the workcase were most singular, night relays as given by the evidence of the companion of men are employedWilliams, one Jesse Law, who deposed that himself and Williams had come up from Bewdley to Bridgnorth, where they had been working on the railway. About half-put three o’clock They arrived on the morning evening of Saturday last and went to the Tumbling Sailors publichouse. After partaking of some ale there, Law, taking up Williams' bundle in mistake for his own, went out and put up at the day named an engine passed down Star publichouse, where, soon after he went in, he deposited the bundle under the line from Shrewsburykitchen screen and fell fast asleep. It was stopped appeared that prisoner and another navvy named Thomas Hunt, were drinking at the Star at that time, and at 12 o'clock, the Buildwas station time for a supply closing the house, they went out and the landlord, David James, saw one of waterthem take up the bundle from under the screen and carry it away with him; Law being then asleep, and whilst there going to remain in the discovery house. The missing property was made that one traced on the Sunday evening into the prisoner's possession, who had it at his lodgings, at John Bache's, Listley street, where the police took possession of the labourers had been run overbundle, and charged him with the robbery. He was found close John Bache, tailor, of Listley street, deposed to prisoner lodging at his house. On the railsSaturday night he came in about a quarter past twelve and brought the bundle, as now produced in court, with both his legs cut offhim. The engine When asked whose bundle it was backed, and he said it belonged to a man working on the poor fellow was placed thereonrailway, and conveyed he gave it to him to the Bridgnorth Infirmarykeep as he was going off. Prisoner had told him (witness) he had been working up at Coalport, where and witness understood he expired about seven o’clockhad had the bundle from there. The unfortunate man has left evidence of David James, Chief-constable Cole, and Police-constable John Instone, corroborated the above evidence. Prisoner made a widow long rambling defence as to his going from the Star publichouse to Yates's, the Prince of Wales beershop, on the Saturday night, and two children meeting with a navvy running, who gave him the bundle to mourn keep, saying his untimely end. An inquest wife was held after him and he wanted to get out of the road; and he said he would call for his bundle on view of the remains Monday. On being told that the bench had made up their mind to send him to Shrewsbury gaol for trial, he at the Squirrel Innonce succumbed, Bridgnorthand begged their Honours to adjudicate on it at once, before Wand pleaded guilty to the charge. D. BetteThe Mayor said the case was clear against him, Esq.and in hopes that it would be a warning to him for the future, coronerthey would deal as leniently as they could, and a verdict of “Accidental Death” was returnedsentenced him to six weeks' imprisonment in Shrewsbury gaol and kept to hard labour."<ref>Shrewsbury Chronicle 17th January 1862, reported in [httphttps://www.broseleybritishnewspaperarchive.orgco.uk/Papersviewer/bl/0000401/18610517/Broseley%201862.pdf Broseley Papers032/0005 Shrewsbury Chronicle - Friday 17 May 1861, on the British Newspaper Archive]</ref>
==See also==
==Links==
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navvy Navvy on Wikipedia]
*[https://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/navvies-workers-who-built-railways Navvies: workers who built the railways, National Railway Museum website]
[[Category:The Severn Valley Railway under GWR/BR ownership]]
[[Category: Miscellaneous articles]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]