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William Williams in 1887

William Williams was born around 1836 in Portmadoc. Around 1837/8 he and his parents moved to Hawarden in Flintshire where his father (also William) was an engineer. By 1851 William Senior was working for the FR and the family were living at 3, Penycob which is now probably 2, Boston Lodge. William jnr (15) and his brother Owen (13) were apprentice fitters at the works.

By 1861 William snr had died and William jnr had married Elizabeth. It is believed they then lived in what is now No.3, Boston Lodge. At that time they had two daughters and William's mother was living with them. In total they had 5 children, John R thought to have become a Civil Engineer and William G. eventually working for the FR as a fitter.

William's sister, Margaret, married Solomon Owen who also worked at Boston Lodge as a sawyer.

It was amongst his early notes that recorded the delivery and numbering of the first locomotives, Princess as The Princess as No. 2 and the original Mountaineer as No. 1

In 1869, was responsible for the construction of Topsy for CE Spooner's railway at Bron-y-Garth.

In February 1881 was appointed Locomotive Superintendant, suceeding CES, with his salary being increased by 10s (50p) per week.

A further salary increase from £190 15/- (£190.75), was requested in February 1888, but, on direction from CES, he received "free rent" instead. Strangely, Boyd^[1] records that his salary in February 1900 was 40/- i.e £104 per year.

From his notes, it was recorded that he recommended R&W Hawthorn Leslie & Co. Ltd of Leeds as his preferred supplier for the new boiler for Princess in 1895, but the Vulcan works won the contract.

Dismissed in June 1909 (58 years service!) with a "pension" of £1 per week terminatable at any time by the Board. He was asked to vacate his lodgings at 3,Boston Lodge at the same time and moved to live in New St., Portmadoc.

He died in 1915 (Boyd quotes Feb-1916), and an application by his widow, for a continuance on the "pension" was denied

He was succeeded as Loco Superintendant by Robert Williams (no relation)

The period leading up to his dismissal coincided with Board room shuffles and resignations, and a report on costs produced externally. Relations across the Cob with Fredrick Vaughan were strained. William Williams carried what became a grudge against the FR to his grave; though buried in Minffordd Cemetery his family had to arrange his for cortege to take a route avoiding Boston Lodge, lest the ill-will followed him to his grave.

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