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NETLEY ABBEY MATTERS!
NETLEY TRAIN STATION and its PERSONNEL
1866 - today
I'm sure I read somewhere that W H Smith Newsagent had a shop at the station.
It seems almost inevitable that Refreshment Rooms would follow.
Mr Alexander Greaves is the earliest Stationmaster I have found so far.
He was at Netley Station from 1881 to 1891
In the mid-1890s, there was considerable discussion about extending the Netley Line into the
back of the Royal Victoria Hospital. This was mainly due to the inadequacy of the Hospital Pier at the front of the Hospital - ships had become deeper and could no longer approach
the end of the Pier!
Mr William Baker Courtenay
Station Master at Netley Station
1894 - 1899
"For many years he has had charge of the interests of the South Western Company at St David’s Station, Exeter, has been appointed Stationmaster at Netley, near Southampton.
The travelling public of Hampshire who make Netley Abbey a point of starting or stoppage may be assured of a civil and obliging stationmaster in Mr Courtenay."
Hampshire Advertiser, 28/02/1894
In readiness for the imminent visit by Her Majesty Queen Victoria to the Royal Victoria Hospital in 1898, Mr Courtenay (left) received explicit instructions from the Railway Company (L+SWR) about the "laying of red carpet and providing luncheon" with a reminder that "he was responsible for keeping the station and outside quite clear."
One of his daughters, Beatrice, was allowed the honour of presenting a bouquet to Her Majesty
on her arrival at the Station.
It has been suggested that the magnitude of all of this may have played a part in his early death in 1899 at only 48 years of age.
Ken Ford's Netley Abbey Village
Netley Station Personnel ca mid 1890s
Front row seated on right is Station Master William Baker Courtenay
Front row seated on left is Fred Watts
By May 1899, Mr George R Goss had taken over as Station Master at Netley.
He would stay in this position until 1907.
The undermentioned Plaque was attached to a clock given to Mr Sedgewick of Netley Railway Station, after he had saved the life of a passenger who had fallen on to
the railway tracks in 1911.
Public Telephone Box at Netley Station?
"At the Hound Parish Council Meeting on Monday last, it was reported that a notification from the telephone department of the Post-office stated that a public call-off had been opened at Netley Railway Station in accordance with an agreement between the Postmaster General and the Council.
It is hoped that this will meet a felt want and that it will be largely patronised. If that be so, it will prove self-supporting, instead of becoming a charge upon the Council and a burden upon the rates."
Hampshire Advertiser 06/11/1915
George W Damen
Station Master at Netley Station
1916
- 1927
George remained at the Station House until his retirement in 1927 after which he and his wife
moved to Boscombe, near Bournemouth.
Portsmouth Evening News 05/01/1927
Sudden passing of Mr G Damen
Much sympathy is felt for the wife and family of the late Mr George W A Damen who met his death
by accident whilst crossing the road near Boscombe.
Mr Damen who was 72 years of age was previously Stationmaster at Netley for 9 years.
Hampshire Telegraph + Post, 03/01/1936
Following the retirement of Mr George Damen in 1927
Gerald L Tarrant
takes over as Station Master at Netley Train Station.
He is also responsible for the smooth running of Bursledon Railway Station.
He is there between 1927 and 1941
Mr Smallden remained at Netley Station
until 1946
In 1948, Reginald C Hollis is the Station Master at both Netley and Bursledon Train Stations.
He remains until 1949.
