GWR Route: Banbury to Wolverhampton

Southam Road and Harbury: Photo gwrsrh280b

This close up of image "gwrsrh280" shows the up platform at Southam and Harbury together with passengers and facilities. The lampposts are to the same design as those seen at Fenny Compton and are oil lit too. The station buildings are however more impressive and more substantial than those seen at Fenny Compton being large brick-built buildings with windows and doors having sweeping arches. The wooden fencing is typically covered in advertising and includes adverts for Lipton's tea, Pears soap and Sutton's seeds.

Peter John of the Friends of Heyford Station writes, 'I am currently researching the GWR employment history of a former Station Master at Heyford. His name is William Humphrey Fowle (1870-1945) and he was at Heyford from March 1899 to June-July 1906. Thereafter he transferred to Southam Road and I believe that he remained there until mid-1911 - when he was then promoted to Station Master of Solihull station for (possibly) the remainder of his GWR working life (which began in October 1885 as a Lad Clerk at Paddington).

Robert Ferris, our GWR expert writes, 'I have confirmed that his name appears in the Staff Change list in the August 1906 GWR Magazine - W.H. Fowle, station master, Heyford to Southam Road and again in the September 1911 GWR Magazine - W.H. Fowle, Stationmaster Southam Road to Solihull. In January 1933 GWR Magazine (page 50) the following paragraph appeared - Mr W.H. Fowle has received a presentation of a case of pipes from the staff, on his retirement from the position of Station Master at Solihull. He had held that position for the past 20 years, and was highly esteemed by the staff. From the Obituary Notices of the GWR Magazine (December 1945) - Mr W.H. Fowle on October 25, aged 75. Formally station master at Solihull (for 23 years) he retired in 1932 after 47 years service. Among those representing the Company at the funeral were Mr F. Marshall, now station master at Solihull and Mr Taylor, who was formerly station master at Birmingham, Snow Hill'.

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