WRRC Forum

Edward Hamer was born in Mochdre near Newtown.
The 1911 census shows him lodging in Llandeilo and his occupation is given as signalman.
He finished his railway career as a signalman at Skewen in the 1940s and 1950s.
He is one of the characters in this photograph; I don't know which.
My question is; does anybody know which station this is? There is not a lot to go on.
If this is all of the staff, it's a relatively small place. The cap badges appear to be all Great Western.
Regards
Stephen

Hello Stephen
I've had a look at the GWR Employment Records which are on Ancestry and found two Edward Hamers, both signalmen. Details are as follows -

Edward Hamer 24488
Born 23rd. March 1876
April 1897 Policeman Llanelly Dock
October 1897 Policeman Garnant
December 1898 Porter-Signalman Llandovery
May 1899 Porter-Signalman Llanwrda
April 1901 Signalman Longhope
August 1904 Signalman Stonehouse
March 1915 Signalman Kemble

Edward Hamer 34888
Born 6th. April 1878
January 1902 Porter Swansea High Street
July 1903 Signalman Landore
January 1904 Ground Signalman
February 1904 Signalman Neath Abbey
April 1909 Signalman Briton Ferry
February 1911 Incapacitated
January 1912 Resumed Signalman Briton Ferry

Unfortunately the records don't go any further than this but it might suggest a location where the photograph was taken.

John

Hello John,
Thank you for taking the time to look into this for me. The photo is owned by a lady who is now in her 80s. Edward Hamer was her grandfather's older brother. She only remembers him in his later life in the 1940s when she was taken to visit him at his home in Skewen. The family are from north Radnorshire so visits were infrequent. I spoke to her yesterday and she seems to think that, although he lived in Skewen, his box was elsewhere. We think that the second man in your list is most likely to be her relative. The reference in my initial posting to being in Llandeilo in 1911 would appear to be the first one.
I will now try to find outside views of Neath Abbey, etc to see if they match the photograph.
Once again, many thanks.
Stephen

I think I have found the correct Edward Hamer in the 1911 census.

He is living at 66 Hunter Street, Briton Ferry.
Age 32 (1879), born Mochdre, Mont.
His occupation is Railway signalman GWRailway Co.
He is married to Mary Ellen Hamer, age 39, born Northwich, Cheshire, and they have been married 7 years.
Albert Henry Hamer, son, age 6, born Skewen.
Eric Victor Hamer, son, age 3, born Skewen.
Leonard Hamer, son, age 3 weeks, born Briton Ferry.
There was also a visitor staying with them, Elizabeth Alldridge, who is quite significant as you will see later.

The two sons being born in Skewen tie-in well to Edward being a signalman at Neath Abbey at that time, and a move to Hunter Street Briton Ferry to his becoming a signalman at Briton Ferry by 1911, all from the records of 34888.

I have found a marriage for an Edward Hamer and a Mary Ellen Alldridge in 1904 in Wellington, Shropshire, so Elizabeth Alldridge the visitor on the 1911 census would have been Edward's sister-in-law.

If the lady can remember the names of other people in Edward's family and connect with the family above this should clinch it.

It would certainly appear that the photograph was taken in the Briton Ferry, Neath Abbey, Landore general area.

John

Hello John,
You have, indeed, found the correct Edward Hamer.
I've just spoken to his great-niece and she says that the family Christian names are correct.
She also said that, Leonard, the 3-week old boy, died in his 20s.
Thanks again for all your efforts.
I'm now trying to find outside views of various stations.
Regards,
Stephen

Hello Stephen

The 1939 "Census" shows the family living at 6 Hermon Chapel, Winifred Road, Skewen, with Edward's occupation as Railway Signalman.

John