JACK SIMMONS

Photo: Illustrative image for the 'JACK SIMMONS' page
Photo: Illustrative image for the 'JACK SIMMONS' page
Boat Train / Fenchurch Driver
By Peter Simmons

Here is a cutting from the Evening Star dated Wednesday January 17th. 1945.


The picture is of my father Jack (Bogey) Simmons and as the text says; "Jack Simmons of Newhaven who drove the last boat train from Paris in 1940 and brought to London the first boat train to arrive since then."

The second picture is the original by the Star photographer showing somewhat more of the Atlantic class engine as well as the fireman, to whom I cannot put a name, but I guess someone will recognise. In latter years Jack drove the Fenchurch and her cousins over the bridge to the sheet loft and down to the breakwater. After a back injury he worked in the stores/office at the old engine sheds and retired in 1961.

This page was added by Peter Simmons on 03/09/2010.

Comments about this page

Peter. Would Jack be the brother of Winifred, Rose, and other sisters, and husband of Annie? Val Lidster (nee Vinall)

By Val Lidster
On 04/09/2010

I think the fireman in picture two could be John Nash who went on to become a driver. He was in fact my driver for a while. I believe he moved to another depot in the London area around 1962-1962

By william still
On 04/09/2010

The fireman looks very much like George Hilton.

By r stone
On 04/09/2010

You could well be right there Roger. I had forgotten about george.

By william still
On 11/09/2010

Hi Val - Indeed it would - sisters (in order) Lucy Margaret, Alice, Winifred (Win) and Annie May (May) and Rose. Brothers : Charles Henry, Edgar and Harold Robert. I also remember visiting your folks in Western Road with my parents.

Peter

By Peter Simmons
On 11/09/2010

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