William Parkins
| William Parkins | |
|---|---|
 Photo courtesy Tom Bowen | |
| Born |
1874 Festiniog |
| Employer | FR Co. |
| Occupation | Stationmaster |
| FR People | WHR People | |
William Parkins was the eldest son of Samuel Parkins locomotive driver. He was born in March 1874 at Dinas Station House. At this time his father was the Top Shunter driver.
He is first found in FR records in October 1890 working as a clerk. By 1896 he is a clerk at Tan y Bwlch station. He married in February 1898 and the certificate says he was a Stationmaster at that time and living at Britannia Place, Portmadoc. FR records show he was Stationmaster at Tan y Bwlch in July 1898 and until 1901. In July 1901 there is a report suggesting he had under paid the FRCo. passenger goods money.
He resigned in 1902 to work on Vale of Rheidol and his letter shows he had been demoted to Porter at Portmadoc. He became the VoR Stationmaster at Capel Bangor from the line's opening (his fourth daughter was born in Capel Bangor). His father died in January 1905 and by September 1906 William was back as a porter at Portmadoc, applying for the post of relief signalman, which he does not seem to have taken up. His only son was born c1907 in Portmadoc, but his wife died in May 1908.
In the 1911 census, he is, once again, a Stationmaster. He was now at Minffordd, living in the Station House. He volunteered for military service in March 1917 and his job was filled by Daniel Silfanus Williams including the Station House (on the condition, that Williams' sister looked after it and the refreshment room). Parkins departed on 24th March 1917. There is correspondence under the Bankruptcy Act between the Railway and the Official Receivers Office regarding William Parkins, but a letter from Robert Evans states that “Mr. Parkins left this company’s service with all his accounts cleared". Of his military service, no record has been found yet[1]. He did not return to the Railway afterwards.
Census Entry for 1891[edit]
| For the full name of: William Parkins |
| An entry has been found for this person at Tyddyn Llwyn |
| where the year of birth is recorded as: 1874 Festiniog |
| The occupation given is: Railway Clerk |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- Festiniog Railway Heritage Group Journal, Issue 95, page(s): 29
- ^ Alexander, J (2017) "Festiniog Railway - Military Matters", Festiniog Railway Heritage Group Journal, Issue 131, page(s): 28