Railway worker - Guard to Platelayer

[AnotherJackson]

I've just found an ancestor that was working as a Railway Guard for 20 years and then became a Platelayer. Is this unusual?

I only have a sketchy knowledge of both occupations but I would have thought that a Platelayer is a more physical and less well paid job. Is this a lower status occupation? I'd be grateful for any insights. Thank you,

Amy

[mazi]

Yes it is unusual, you would expect a guard to continue till they retired, but there could be many reasons.

A plate layer works regular hours and is not away overnight, maybe he asked for the transfer for family reasons, but he could have asked for a transfer to porter or booking office clerk.

Eyesight or hearing problems could have brought about the change.

He may have committed a breach of the rules regarding safety, two such happenings would bring about a demotion.

A plate layers job is more physical, although not much more so than a goods guard,  but if there were medical reasons his mates in the team would look after him.


Regards,
Mike

Added



In the 20th century if a man was unable to do his regular job for any reason most railway companies would do their best to find another job for him

[mazi]

Some railway records are on an....y, if his is there, there likely will be a reason for the transfer.

[Ellenmai]

Was this during the war by any chance? My Great Uncle worked for many years in the Railway maintenance sheds and during the war had to fill in jobs were needed in the main station and occasionally as a fireman, as so many men had been called up.

[AnotherJackson]

Thank you both. He's not listed as deaf or blind on the census after he changed jobs but he may still have suffered partial loss of sight or hearing.  I'll see if I can find his employment record on Ancestry. Unfortunately his name was Tom Smith and there seem to be a few of those! At least I should know when I've found him if it's an unusual career path. Will see if it turns up anything interesting..

It was pre-war. 1870's to 1900's.

[Ellenmai]

Good Luck with that one I have several Thomas Smiths and they are a nightmare to find. If you need help just give us some names, dates and area and perhaps we could help.

[youngtug]

http://turniprail.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/dirt-of-victorian-railway-industry.html

[AnotherJackson]

Great web link youngtug. Poor old Tom.

Here's his details. I'm struggling!

Tom Smith born abt 1851, Huddersfield. Married to Annie. Lived in Deighton, Hudds. There's a station there.

Railway guard 1874
Railway signal man 1881
Railway guard 1891
Railway guard 1894
Plate layer 1895
Plate layer 1901
I think he's a road sweeper in 1911.

[mazi]

Other than to say that he would have worked for the London and north western railway, I can only speculate.

Mike