Locomotive Building in Wolverhampton

Young Joe's Death

An inquest was held into the circumstances connected with Joe’s death. It was at the Town Hall with the deputy Borough Coroner, Mr. K.B. Thorneycroft in charge. A number of railway employees including Charles Goodhall were asked to give evidence.

Charles stated that the deceased was often to be seen in the works at night. He was cheerful, appeared to be in good health and wished him the compliments of the season. After a conversation Joe said that he wanted to go to the station and post a letter. Charles offered to get him a lift on one of the passing trains, but Joe declined the offer.

It was a frosty but fine night with a nearly full moon and so he decided to walk. He left the office at two minutes past twelve and started walking along the line towards Victoria Basin and Herbert Street. At one o’clock a messenger appeared to break the sad news of Joe’s death. He said that he saw the body lying at right angles to the track, with the head completely severed, the wheels of a train having passed over it. The body was put in an ambulance carriage and taken to the mortuary.

No letter was found on the body and Arthur Freakley, who was the goods guard on the train, described what happened at 10 minutes to one, when the coal train was coming from Oxley siding and going to Victoria Basin. The guards van was first with the engine behind pushing. A jerk was felt as though the van had gone over something. His companion in the van thought that he saw a body of a man and the red light was given to the driver, who stopped the train immediately. The train was only travelling at about 5 miles an hour and nothing was heard before, or after the jerk was felt. On inspection the body was found by the side of the track.

Several other witnesses were called and it was decided to adjourn the inquest in order to obtain further evidence, which might lead to a proper conclusion in the case.

When the inquest re-convened, one of the witnesses was Mr. Charles Crump, who was chief clerk at the railway works. He stated that he had received a letter from Joe, which arrived on New Years day. The letter, in the deceased’s handwriting stated that the deceased was insured for £500, and if he committed suicide this would pay-off his debts. The letter also stated that the deceased would be dead by the time the letter arrived.

It was suggested that Joe walked to the High Level Station where he posted the letter and then returned to meet his fate. The jury returned a verdict of suicide, which was a sad end to Joe’s life.