Great Western Railway – Roll of Honour 1914-1918

As I was waiting around on the platform at Taunton station I realised I was standing in front of a copy of the Great Western Railway – Roll of Honour, 1914-1918. I imagine that framed copies of the roll of honour must have been taken pride of place at most GWR stations at one time but I’d never actually seen a copy. The dedication in the centre read:

“On this Roll of Honour are shown the names of members of staff of the Great Western Railway Company who lost their lives in the Great War. Many of the men were called upon to participate in some of the fiercest fighting of the campaign; they upheld the best traditions of the Country, and their memory is revered alike by the Company and their comrades.

The number of Great Western men who joined His Majesty’s Forces was 25,479 representing thirty-three per cent. of the Company’s staff. Those who lost their lives in the war numbered 2,436.”

GWR Roll of Honour at Taunton Station

I looked at the list of men from the Locomotive and Carriage Department, worked my way across to the list for Swindon works and then down the column until I found the name I was looking for – Bailey, T. W.

Thomas William Bailey was my great grandfather’s cousin and he died at the age of 42 on 13th March 1917. A photo of Thomas was published in the Great Western Railway Magazine and can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/4276188185.

It was a strange and sobering moment after a weekend away, perhaps because I hadn’t really been looking for it. It’s at a moment like this that I feel lucky to be able to wander round the countryside, knowing how much previous generations had to give up for that freedom.