TOPIC:

Here is a picture entitled 'South African Railway Men'. It is undated but must be either late war or post war?



The people in the picture are named.

Back row, left to right:

Robb, A, CGR
Aspinall, H
Beatty, H M, CGR
Reid, G W, NGR
Easton, J, NGR
Price, T R, CGR
Musson, F, Orange River Colony Railways
Harwin, R W, NGR
Hayes, G C
Brown, J, CGR
Hall, R J, Orange River Colony Railways
Lennie, J, NGR
Van Hasselt, J F L, Netherlands Railway Co

Front row:

Atherstone, G D, Orange River Colony Railways
Bissett, J L, Bechuanaland Railway
Albers, C H, Lorenco Marques Railway
Middelberg, G A A, Netherlands Railway
Elliott, C B, CMG, CGR
Hunter, D, CMG, NGR
Brounger, R E, Orange River Colony Railways
Breuning, M E H, Netherlands Railway
Shores, J W, NGR

David

That is a rare and interesting photograph. It is most unusual to have one of that period with all the people represented both named and their affiliations given.

I had a friend who collected QSA's to railway men and he would have been delighted by your picture. A few years ago, his collection of medals moved to London with his widow and I suspect that one day railway enthusiasts in the UK will have the opportunity of sharing out this collection.

Brett

Brett,

I too was struck by the companies represented in the picture.

Do you for how long the ORC name lasted? Was this until 1910?

Regards
David

David

The 'Orange River Colony' became the 'Orange Free State' in 1910 (and the 'Free State' in 1994).

I think it is likely that these men met not long after the war ended in order to rationalise and co-ordinate the services of the various elements of what became the South African Railways.

Brian Conyngham's father is a serious railways researcher and he may know what transpired and when after the war ended. I will make enquiries.

Regards
Brett

It would be both helpful and illuminating if I knew the source of the picture and date of publication but neither of these useful pieces of information is available

Middelberg, of the NZASM arrived in the ZAR in Jan 1890 and left 'early in 1899', hence the photo is from before the ABW