Fox, Edgar 1909 August 6th Porton
On Thursday afternoon a distressing fatal accident occurred to the three-year-old son of Mr William Fox, one of the employees at the station, where he has been at work a number of years, and is consequently well known, not only in the village but throughout the district, owing to his connection with the traffic passing to and from the station. Great sympathy if felt for him and his wife in their bereavement. It appears that the lad was in the habit of sitting on the bank of the station yard, waiting for his father to come to his meals, his residence, Railway Cottage, being on the Company’s premises. The supposition is that when the child saw his father he crept to meet him under some railway trucks that were in the yard, and at which, although momentarily still, shunting operations were going on, with the result that the poor little chap was knocked down as he crept under, and his head was crushed. Nurse Vickers was at once summoned and supervised the removal of the body and did all that was possible under the distressing circumstances, with her usual gentleness and professional ability.
An inquiry into the circumstances was conducted by the County Coroner (Mr R A Wilson) on Friday.
William Fox, the father, stated that he left the booking office at ten minutes past four. He walked round the road into the yard, and as he was going to cross over the back road, he found his little boy lying dead between the rails. The child had been in the habit of waiting for him, when he went to his meals, on the bank on the other side of the rails, where there was a path to his cottage. He thought the boy must have seen him coming, and then had crept in between the waggons, which were then stationary. He thought the train was moving as he was going out of the booking office. The engine was about fifty yards from the spot.
Robert Frederick Nobbs, stationmaster, said he left the booking office at the same time as Fox. He went into the goods yard through the gateway from the up-platform. In the yard he met Fox, who informed him that his boy had been killed. He proceeded to the spot, and found that the child had been run over. He was dead, his skull being quite crushed. Witness had seen the deceased frequently on the pathway on the other side of the rails.
Bertie Hart, in the employ of the L & SWR Company, stated that on Thursday he was in charge of the shunting operations. There were fifteen waggons stationed in the yard. He coupled up the waggons where the accident took place about three o’clock, and then went on towards the station. He did not see the boy at all.
The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”
The funeral took place at St Nicholas’ Church Yard, Porton, on Bank Holiday, a large number of sympathetic people being present. The coffin was of polished elm, and was carried by four of the father’s comrades on the railway, in their uniform.
The chief mourners were the father and mother (Mr and Mrs Fox), Mrs Budgeon (grand parent), and Mabel Fox (sister). The coffin was covered with wreaths, and several more were carried by friends who followed. One wreath bore an inscription, “In deepest sympathy from his dear Dad’s comrades.” A splendid cross was inscribed, “In loving memory from Mrs Vickers and Mr G Robinson.” Another wreath was inscribed, “Greatest sympathy from the Milk Lads.”
The Rev G Matthews-Youngman (vicar), officiated. Mr J Porter was the undertaker.
Mr and Mrs Fox have received so many expressions of sympathy that they would like to use the Times as a medium for conveying their thanks and appreciation.
Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 