LMS Route: Rugby to Market Harborough

Clifton Mill Station: lnwrclift2346

A photograph of Robert Hatfield, stationmaster of Clifton Mill Station, from about 1880 to 1894. Neil Hatfield, Robert Hatfield's Great Grandson wrote a short biography as follows, He was 'born 2nd July 1852 at Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire to David Hatfield (a labourer) and Sarah nee Dobson (later a shopkeeper). He went to work on the railway as a signalman at Linslade, Buckinghamshire living at Mentmore Road. Married Sarah Dunkley 27th June 1876 at Blisworth, Northants and returned to live at Mentmore Road, Linslade where their first child George was born in 1877. The child died in Feb 1878 at Linslade and very soon afterwards Robert and Sarah moved to Clifton on Dunsmore.

Robert was stationmaster at Clifton Mill Station I think from 1878 to 1893 when he went to work at Rugby Station back as a signalman! They had had 6 children during their time at Clifton - William Christopher 1879, Mabel Elizabeth 1879, Ada Annie 1885, Ethel Maud 1886, Oliver John 1888 and Horace Wilfred 1890. All the children except William Christopher were born at The Station House. Their last two children Cecil Albert 1894 and Victoria May 1897 were born at 8 South Street, Rugby. In 1901 tragedy struck the family when the 3 youngest children contracted diphtheria. Horace aged 10 and Victoria aged 3 died within 2 days of each other in February - mercifully Cecil survived. Robert lived only another 2 years dying from Influenza and Pneumonia on 10th January 1903 aged 50. He was buried in the family plot at Rugby cemetery.'

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