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'Billy Richards' Death - Snow Hill Tunnel - 1939?

Nicholas

Nicholas

master brummie
Hi All,

Over the space of some years, I've seen a number of references to one Billy (presumably William?) Richards, a railway worker, being killed in Snow Hill Tunnel, in 1939. The accident is said to have occurred during 'blackout rehearsals', during the Summer, 'while moving a waggon into the tunnels old shunting horse stables'...

I have seen the accident referred to - albeit briefly - on this forum, but, in attempting to find a record of the tragedy concerned in the British Newspaper Archive, I'm surprised to discover no trace of the matter (at least, so far, anyway!?) There are many reports on other deaths, accidents and tragedies (mostly suicides!) around the station and tunnels involved... so, if the case involving the unfortunate Billy Richards were genuine, then surely his sad demise should be recorded somewhere?

Any help with, or pointers on, this matter would be most gratefully received...

Many thanks,

Nick
 
I couldn't find a Birmingham death in 1939 for a William or Bill Richards either. There were a couple in Wolverhampton and Wednesbury but both too old to have been working I would think.
 
its like looking for a needle in a haystack as william richards is a common name but i have found one on the 39 register born 1879 occupation guard on lms railway...add morville st also found this one

william henry richards add camp hill..occ railway shunter...born 1878 death reg first quarter 1940 which means he could have died in dec 1939 but its all guess work

lyn
 
Nicholas said:
Hi All,

Over the space of some years, I've seen a number of references to one Billy (presumably William?) Richards, a railway worker, being killed in Snow Hill Tunnel, in 1939. The accident is said to have occurred during 'blackout rehearsals', during the Summer, 'while moving a waggon into the tunnels old shunting horse stables'...

I have seen the accident referred to - albeit briefly - on this forum, but, in attempting to find a record of the tragedy concerned in the British Newspaper Archive, I'm surprised to discover no trace of the matter (at least, so far, anyway!?) There are many reports on other deaths, accidents and tragedies (mostly suicides!) around the station and tunnels involved... so, if the case involving the unfortunate Billy Richards were genuine, then surely his sad demise should be recorded somewhere?

Any help with, or pointers on, this matter would be most gratefully received...

Many thanks,

Nick
Click to expand...
Myself and my then father- in- law done the Birmingham Mail walk from Moor Street Station to Snow Hill Station. Which was excellent when we approached around about halfway underneath we were told by the guide a railway worker was killed by an accident due to the blackouts . There were areas where they kept horses. Hope this may jog any memories .
 
Time Traveller 66 said:
Myself and my then father- in- law done the Birmingham Mail walk from Moor Street Station to Snow Hill Station. Which was excellent when we approached around about halfway underneath we were told by the guide a railway worker was killed by an accident due to the blackouts . There were areas where they kept horses. Hope this may jog any memories .
Click to expand...
Me and a neighbour a ex engine driver did that walk i absorbed all his knowledge about Snow hill on that walk
 
Other contemporary newspapers confirm the date of death of the unfortunate Mr. William Henry Richards as being the night of Tuesday 6th February 1940 (so definitely not 1939).

At the inquest in Birmingham the following Monday, a verdict of accidental death was recorded. His age was said to have been 61 and the address given was 187 Camp Hill, Bordesley.

It was subsequently reported that Richards sustained severe injuries having been knocked down by a railway van. An arm and a leg were cut off. He died instantaneously. The coroner opined that Richards may have become lost momentarily in the darkness of the (Snow Hill) tunnels, as had another shunter, who gave evidence at the inquest, this due to the density of steam in the tunnel and that no-one was to blame for the accident.

(Sources: "Evening Despatch" dated Monday 12th February 1940 and "Birmingham Daily Post" dated Tuesday 13th February 1940
 
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