Letters of Frank Hill, GWR Reliefman 1890s - Brixham Heritage Museum

By: Edited by Chris Potts
Added: 16 July 2012

Now available for purchase from Brixham Heritage Museum

At Work on the GWR in the 1890s: Frank Hill, Reliefman at Newton Abbot is the latest work by Chris Potts for Brixham Heritage Museum. Chris has provided an excellent editorial of Mr. Hill’s letters, copied from a meticulously kept correspondence book loaned to the Museum by his granddaughter, Mrs Margaret French. They provide an interesting insight into the life of a GWR worker, who spent many years at stations and signal boxes on the Teign Valley line and across South Devon before promotion to Stationmaster at Churston.

Throughout his working life, which encompassed personal tragedy and fierce disputes with GWR managers, the hours were long and the variable work poorly paid – Mr. Hill wrote many letters on his own and colleagues’ behalf stating reasons for wage increases – although he was clearly skilled in many tasks that ‘oiled the wheels’ of a regional railway and Chris Potts’ expert commentary clearly illuminates the details. Launching at the annual Steam Fair, the book will be available through the Museum and is not to be missed!

The book is priced at £4.99.