Fredrick Vaughan
| Fredrick Vaughan | |
| FR Co. Exec | 01.1909 - 03.1922 |
| FR Co. Director | 1907 - 1921 |
From census records, we know he was born in Oswestry in 1849, the youngest of 7 children. His father James was a Master Builder employing 25 men, so Fredrick's early childhood would have been comfortable. However his father died in 1853, and his mother Sarah supported her family by working as a Cabinet Maker. He joined the railways, initially the Cambrian, and quickly became Superintendant, for the Coast line, and by 1881 was boarding in Tremadoc/Portmadoc, describing himself as a Railway Superintendent. His career with the Cambrian continued, and rose to the post of Chief Traffic Superintendant.
Broadening his horizons, in 1892, he crossed to Ireland to become the Traffic Superintendant of the Waterford & Limerick (which later became the Waterford, Limerick & Western).
When, on January 1st 1901, his company was taken over by the Great Southern & Western, he "retired" (at 51!)to Kingstown (now known as Dun Laoghaire).
In 1907, whilst seeking a position as auditor for the FR Co., by an introduction from some Irish colleagues, he got himself elected to the board of the Festiniog. He was subsequently appointed Managing Director on January 1st 1908, where he remained until 16th July 1921.
At some point, he made a suggestion of a merger with the Aluminium Corporation in connection with their rail interest in the area - NWNG, PBSSR, Croesor, but this did not come to any fruition at that time.
However, when the Welsh Highland began to run, they decided to buy out the Festiniog and merge it into a larger operation
At a board meeting, where Jack and associates took control of the board, on 16th July 1921, Vaughan lost his seat at the board, but retained the GM position at a salary of £225pa. [1]
His tenure in this position was short lived, however, as at short notice he tendered his resignation, to become effective the first of April 1922.
The retirement was short, as on the 6th he died, leaving a wife, Louisa Frances Burslem Vaughan, and an estate valued at nearly £7000. The dispatch of his remains for interment at Oswestry, was overseen by such staff as General Manager Tyrwhitt, Traffic Manager A.G. Crick, Traffic Supt. Williams, with Tom Rees, and a young Robert Evans from the office staff. [2]
[edit] Census Entry for 1881
| An entry has been found for this person at Portmadoc |
| where the year of birth is recorded as: c1849 in Oswestry |
| The occupation given is: Railway Superintendant |
| and the FR/WHR connection is verified, but not FR then |
Article taken from various sources and re-presented here.
[edit] References
- ^ WHR Heritage Group Journal - group House Magazine Issue No: 44 , page(s): 011
- ^ WHR Heritage Group Journal - group House Magazine Issue No: 043 , page(s): 2-3
- Boyd, James I.C. (1975 / 2002). The Festiniog Railway 1800 - 1974; Vol. 1 - History and Route. Blandford: The Oakwood Press. ISBN 0-8536-1167-X. OCLC 2074549.
p173, 176-7, 179, 181, 192, 194, 199, 201, 209, 220-1, 245 & vol 2 p 367, 567, 569
