Author Topic: Death by lightening strike in Devon circa 1930  (Read 1299 times)

Offline Brewins girl

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Death by lightening strike in Devon circa 1930
« on: Thursday 14 September 17 21:24 BST (UK) »
I have been told that a GWR train driver was killed when lightening struck the line around 1930 but can find no record of the incident. This would have either been in the Newton Abbot area, or elsewhere on a line from/through Newto Abbot. I've tried searching the Br Newspaper Archive without success. It may, of course, be a family myth, but I keep hoping
Brooking (REME)
Robinson (RAF)
Southall (Pedmore, nr Stourbridge UK)

Offline avm228

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Re: Death by lightening strike in Devon circa 1930
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 14 September 17 21:36 BST (UK) »
You say "family" myth - so is this a family member and do you know his name?
Ayr: Barnes, Wylie
Caithness: MacGregor
Essex: Eldred (Pebmarsh)
Gloucs: Timbrell (Winchcomb)
Hants: Stares (Wickham)
Lincs: Maw, Jackson (Epworth, Belton)
London: Pierce
Suffolk: Markham (Framlingham)
Surrey: Gosling (Richmond)
Wilts: Matthews, Tarrant (Calne, Preshute)
Worcs: Milward (Redditch)
Yorks: Beaumont, Crook, Moore, Styring (Huddersfield); Middleton (Church Fenton); Exley, Gelder (High Hoyland); Barnes, Birchinall (Sheffield); Kenyon, Wood (Cumberworth/Denby Dale)

Offline Brewins girl

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Re: Death by lightening strike in Devon circa 1930
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 14 September 17 22:12 BST (UK) »
He was my uncle's father, John Brooking, known as Jack.
Brooking (REME)
Robinson (RAF)
Southall (Pedmore, nr Stourbridge UK)

Offline avm228

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Re: Death by lightening strike in Devon circa 1930
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 14 September 17 22:19 BST (UK) »
What age would Jack have been in 1930?

Have you looked at the death reg for John Brooking aged 42, Newton Abbot, Jun qtr 1930?
Ayr: Barnes, Wylie
Caithness: MacGregor
Essex: Eldred (Pebmarsh)
Gloucs: Timbrell (Winchcomb)
Hants: Stares (Wickham)
Lincs: Maw, Jackson (Epworth, Belton)
London: Pierce
Suffolk: Markham (Framlingham)
Surrey: Gosling (Richmond)
Wilts: Matthews, Tarrant (Calne, Preshute)
Worcs: Milward (Redditch)
Yorks: Beaumont, Crook, Moore, Styring (Huddersfield); Middleton (Church Fenton); Exley, Gelder (High Hoyland); Barnes, Birchinall (Sheffield); Kenyon, Wood (Cumberworth/Denby Dale)


Offline ..claire..

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Re: Death by lightening strike in Devon circa 1930
« Reply #4 on: Friday 15 September 17 00:04 BST (UK) »
Hi

His railway employment record doesn't give any clue as to how he dies, looks like the death registration avm228 posted is the man the OP is looking for. Employment records for the Exeter division, state he was at  Newton.

Born January 1888
Died 11 April 1930

claire
Luce, Tippett , Thomson, Dolling ~ Devon & Cornwall
Mocquard ~ London, France
Census info is Crown Copyright http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline avm228

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Re: Death by lightening strike in Devon circa 1930
« Reply #5 on: Friday 15 September 17 00:06 BST (UK) »
Ah that's looking good, Claire.  So purchasing the death cert would be the obvious next step in order to ascertain cause of death.
Ayr: Barnes, Wylie
Caithness: MacGregor
Essex: Eldred (Pebmarsh)
Gloucs: Timbrell (Winchcomb)
Hants: Stares (Wickham)
Lincs: Maw, Jackson (Epworth, Belton)
London: Pierce
Suffolk: Markham (Framlingham)
Surrey: Gosling (Richmond)
Wilts: Matthews, Tarrant (Calne, Preshute)
Worcs: Milward (Redditch)
Yorks: Beaumont, Crook, Moore, Styring (Huddersfield); Middleton (Church Fenton); Exley, Gelder (High Hoyland); Barnes, Birchinall (Sheffield); Kenyon, Wood (Cumberworth/Denby Dale)

Offline ..claire..

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Re: Death by lightening strike in Devon circa 1930
« Reply #6 on: Friday 15 September 17 00:15 BST (UK) »

Yes, I think that's the way forward here - There isn't anything in the newspapers that I can see.
Luce, Tippett , Thomson, Dolling ~ Devon & Cornwall
Mocquard ~ London, France
Census info is Crown Copyright http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline Brewins girl

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Re: Death by lightening strike in Devon circa 1930
« Reply #7 on: Friday 15 September 17 10:51 BST (UK) »
Hi avm228 and Claire

Firstly I do have his death cert'te which gives the medical cause of death, but not any reference to what might have precipitated it. His son (now deceased) told his own daughter that lightning struck the railway line, causing his death. It may prove to be a misunderstanding somewhere along the line (oops, pun was unintended!)

I've also been given some details of his railway employment (promotions, pay rates, location off the top of my head) but am intrigued to understand how you were able to look at his employment record Claire. How can I look at "employment records Exeter division" myself?

Also, for Claire, what does OP stand for?

Thank you both for your help.
Brooking (REME)
Robinson (RAF)
Southall (Pedmore, nr Stourbridge UK)

Offline ..claire..

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Re: Death by lightening strike in Devon circa 1930
« Reply #8 on: Friday 15 September 17 11:51 BST (UK) »
Hi Brewins girl,

His employment records can be seen on Anc*stry.co.uk. There isn't much information in it. Just details of where he was working plus dates and what position he held. Plus I think what looked like results of eye/vision tests he had.

OP - original poster (I think)

Claire
Luce, Tippett , Thomson, Dolling ~ Devon & Cornwall
Mocquard ~ London, France
Census info is Crown Copyright http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk