Balcombe tunnel encampment ?

[AlgarvePete]

Hi all, whilst trolling through the Balcombe records I came across a load of burials with a place of abode Balcombe tunnel. Most of these are between 1838 and 1841 when the tunnel was being built.
Also the odd entry for Balcombe viaduct and Balcombe railway. Was there an encampment there for the workers ? I tried a google search but it only gives history for the tunnel. Any further info most welcome, regards, Pete

[Mvann]

https://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/system/files/documents/article3_4.pdf

This article mentions a large encampment for men working on balcombe viaduct (page number 37 and 38)

[AlgarvePete]

Thanks for that, explains it. I thought it would be something like that, makes the Parish records very readable as I would imagine there are many people on it that are not local. Balcombe parish records are searchable free on familysearch.org plus other Sussex parishes courtesy of West Sussex county council.

[hanes teulu]

Harapath's Railway Journal, 1 Dec 1838
Balcombe Tunnel
"The number of men employed is 120"

Liverpool Mail, 24 Jan 1839
Contract No. 8 - Balcombe Tunnel
"The contractor has at present 225 men and 15 horses at work upon this contract"

[hanes teulu]

There's a newspaper report of a death of Edward Berry at Balcombe Tunnel around 28 Mar 1840. Is he amongst those listed under "Balcombe Tunnel" as abode?,

[AlgarvePete]

Edward Perry not Berry abode Balcombe tunnel buried March 24 1840 age 27.

[hanes teulu]

Edward Perry not Berry abode Balcombe tunnel buried March 24 1840 age 27.

Thanks for the confirmation. It's Berry in the newspaper reports - there was a suspicion he had been murdered.