Diabetes and Steam Trains..

[Ellie Jones]

I've been going through Great Western Railways employee records..

One employee caught my eye...

He was a T1 diabetic and working on the footplate of a main line steam engine! making up through all the grades to Engine Driver... Starting out as an Engine Cleaner with GWR at the age of 14 in 1911/1912 and finally retiring in the 1950's..

GWR don't list medical condition as standard practice, they are only mentioned if for any reasons it prevents an individual from working, that requires a medical examination from company doctor, or when employee is taken suddenly ill while on duty.

In this employee's case in the 40's he was taken off the engine at Bridgend in a diabetic hypoglycaemic coma and taken to Bridgend infirmary for treatment. And no restrictions to duties on his return to work!

My Granddad was a steam engine driver for the GWR, and yes I have a copy of his employee record, and he's one of the very few drivers that didn't get a caution during his career..

 

[Northerner]

Interesting Ellie - reminded me of this story:

http://www.diabetessupport.co.uk/boards/showthread.php?t=26845

Quite a contrast in attitudes!

 

[ukjohn]

I also worked on the GWR railway, I started as an engine cleaner, and made my way up to engine fireman and worked there throughout the 1950s into the early 1960s. During my time on the railway all staff working on the footplate ie drivers and firemen were subject to a full medical exam at GWR Swindon by company doctors every two years,and if you had an illness where you passed out, you were not allowed back on the footplate until undergoing another medical at Swindon and passing said medical.

John.

 

[Ellie Jones]

You probably came across my granddad..

I've pm'd you with his name and a description as he did have very distinctive scaring on his face, from cancer treatment he had in the late 40's...

All granddad ever wanted to do was drive a steam engine, so he joined the GWR in 1919 aged 17 and retired either '64 or '67... granddad actually came from a well to do family, his dad was a ships captain and his brothers all went into publishing..