Third protagonist - John Waters

Third protagonist - John Waters born about 1856 in Claines Worcestershire. In 1881 he was a railway labourer living in Church Lane, Martin Hussingtree, Worcestershire (just loved the name). His wife Sarah J was born about 1849 in Martin Hussingtree and seems to have been previously married as with them are three children described as step-sons with the surname Tolley: William H born about 1870, James born about 1876 and John born about 1878. A fourth son Henry just 3 months old has the Waters surname. All four children were born in Martin Hussingtree.

Martin Hussingtree is about halfway between Worcester and Droitwich and according to The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868) on Genuki is "1 mile from the Fearnall Heath station, on the Oxford, Worcester and Wolverhampton railway."  John would have been working for the Great Western Railway company. Claines is not that far away, being just north of Worcester.

Ten years on in 1891 John and family are still living in Church Lane and John still works on the railway. The two oldest boys, William H and James are no longer at home; John is listed as John Tolley Waters and is working as a farm labourer; and a fifth son, George was born about 1883.

A further ten years and the family have moved to Pershore Lane, still in Martin Hussingtree. John was  described as a platelayer on the line. Stepson John was working as a bricklayers labourer and George as a carter on farm. Son Henry was no longer at home.

By 1911 John seems to be living on his own though he is described as married rather than a widower. He was still a platelayer and the census return specifies GWR (Great Western Railway). His address was Church Lane Martin Hussingtree and just 2 rooms (in addition to any kitchen, scullery or very unlikely bathroom). 

John's railway employment record is on ancestry. Born on 12 April 1856, he worked for 46 years for GWR at the grade of sub-ganger based at Fernhill Heath Station. He received a weekly pension from GWR of 11 shillings and 6 pence from 3 Sept 1923, though that was reduced to 6 shillings and 2 pence from 12 April 1926 when John attained State Pension Age. John died 5 Jan 1841 at a grand age of 85. Starting work for GWR at age 21 in 1877, John must have worked elsewhere beforehand.