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THE RAILWAY DOGS
A faithful and clever animal formerly known to many passenger on the London and Brighton the tidal train between London
Bridge and Newhaven for the Dieppe steam boats.
NATIONAL UNION OF RAILWAYMEN COLLECTION
Help the noble Railway Dog
This photo was taken from the book title is 50 years of Railway Trade Unionism, the story of the N.U.R. published in c1920
The first railway dog can be traced back to 1881, he was called “HELP” and collected money for the “Orphan Fund” of the
Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Above is the rear of an Amalgamated Society of Railway
Servants (A.S.R.S.) fob, which features the “Railway Dog".
This badge is extremely rare and is over 100 years old.
The amalgamation in 1923 of the London South Western with the London Brighton and South Coast and the South Eastern
and Chatham Railways extended the area for fund raising, but at the same time increased the number of children requiring
help and care, and by now dogs were collecting at all London Termini and large stations down the Thames to Dover, then
round the coast to Plymouth and beyond.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Help is reproduced from a capital lithograph executed by the Newcastle artist, Mr. Wilson Hepple
OTHER DOGS USED FOR RAISING FUNDS ON THE L. B. & S. C. R.
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Above Station Master Gage with Bob the Railway Dog
PHOTOGRAPHER UNKNOWN
Railway Dog ‘Hector’ & National Fund C1914
Information extract & adapted from the Old Southeronians Association Website Which was written
By H.T. Hunt
JACK THE RAILWAY DOG
Courtesy of Mick Symes
JACK THE RAILWAY DOG
August 1879
“Jack”the railway dog. Whilst waiting at the Horsham
station on Friday night for the 9.20 up train, our attention
was attracted by a little rough dog which scampered up the
platform and leaped up on to the engine. On making home
enquiries of the guard in charge go the trains to the meaning
of this eccentric behaviour on the part of the annual, we
were informed that he was known as “Jack” the railway dog,
and was in the habit of constantly travelling on the Brighton
line from Lewes via Brighton and Horsham to London, and
vice versa, generally travelling on the engine in fine weather,
and in wet weather hob-mobbing with the guards in their
breaks. nobody knows to whom he belongs, and he takes the
food given him by the railwaymen’s a matter of course as
recognised for his company. Jack has thoroughly warmed
himself into the affections of the engine drivers and guards,
both of whom take the greatest interest in their canine
passenger; and should Jack ever fail to put in an appearance
on the starting of the trains usually patronised by him, many
are the enquiries, “ here’s our little dog, Jack.”
RIGHT: Jack the Railway Dog July 18th 1885
E. REEVES COLLECTION
December 1880
“Bob”, the once well known fireman’s dog, has a rival in “Jack” the railway dog. This sagacious animal passes his time in
railway trains, and is well known at Brighton, Lewes, Hastings, London Bridge, and Peckham Rye. He travels with the guard,
and take his repose at whatever terminus the train he happens to be in at night times arrives at. His taste lies peculiarly in the
direction of all things appertaining to railways, as he will take no notice of any one not wearing a railway uniform.
A South London guard on one occasion took him home. Jack went peacefully enough, but directly the man changed his
clothes, and put on the garments of everyday life, Jack began to be uneasy, and at length bolted back to Peckham Rye. Jack is
quite unoriginal in his way.
21 January 1882
Accident to “Jack,” the Railway Dog. On Friday morning a serious accident happened to “Jack,” the London, Brighton, and
South Coast Railway dog. He was crossing the up main line at Norwood Junction station when the Brighton mail train came
along, and before the animal could reach the platform the engine caught him, and crushed his foot. A local veterinary surgeon
was at once summoned by the officials, and the dog’s injuries having been attended to, he was placed in the care of a guard of
an Eastbourne goods trains, by whom he was handed over to his master. Mr. Moore, the station master at Lewes. The accident
has since necessitated the amputation of one of the dog’s legs, a surgeon very successfully performing the operation while the
animal was under the influence of chloroform.
No difficulty is anticipated as to Jack’s future locomotion on three legs, although the radius of his operations will be
necessarily more limited. Hitherto it has been from Paris to Scotland. The last previous appearance of Jack in Lewes was
when had just returned from a wedding at Berwick, and he arrived gaily beckoned with ribbons in honour of the event.
THE FATAL ACCIDENT AT THE RAILWAY STATION
The remains of the unfortunate young fellow Page (who died from injuries sustained in an accident on the goods station), were
interred in St. John’s churchyard on Sunday afternoon. The funeral was attended by a large number of railway employees as
well as of members of Court Lewes Castle A.O.F., of which the deceased was a member. “Railway Jack” was also present,
wearing a crape collar.
The famous L. B. & S. C. Railway dog “Jack” has just reached Eastbourne station by one of the afternoon trains unexpectedly,
and without guidance, otherwise than wonderful animal instinct to join in the procession of the funeral of Inspector Bryant, an
official who had the honour of a large public burial. The noted dog just reached Eastbourne in time, found its way to the
funeral, and solemnly followed the corpse to the cemetery, to the astonishment of everybody. The dog also joined the
procession from the cemetery back again.
Railway Jack, the canine celebrity has just met with an accident which seemed likely to terminate his eccentric career. He had
been absent from his home, Lewes Station, about a fortnight till brought back with his left foreleg crushed. Jack was at
Norwood Junction late on the previous evening, and crossed the metals just as fast train was running through. He missed his
hold in jumping on to the opposite platform, and fell under the engine of the approaching train. Jack’s left fore foot was
completely crushed, and the radius servers fractured. The Norwood station master at once took him to a surgeon, who bound
up the dog’s legal the same time expressing an opinion that the limb must either amputated or the animal killed. Mr. Moore,
station superintendent at Lewes, was at once communicated with and the dog sent home. On arrival Jack was at once taken to
Mr Stock, veterinary surgeon at Lewes, and, with the assistance of Mr. J.P. Braden, surgeon, he very successfully amputated
the limb close to the shoulder, The operation was performed while the dog was under the influence of chloroform.
At a quarter past five their Royal Highnesses got back to station, where, at the especial quest of the Princess, Lady Brassey
presented to her the famous “Railway Jack,” who had been sent on to Eastbourne from his home in the station master’s office
at Lewes early in the day. The Princess, who had heard a great deal about the dog, was very glad to have this opportunity of
seeing him, and she took away with her two photographs, one representing him seated up on a trunk before he lost his foreleg,
the other taken since the accident, which has compelled him to a more sedentary existence.
November 1890
A famous dog, which had more than once had the honour of presentation to Royalty, died on Monday at the house of his
master, Mr. F.G. Moore, Mayfield Sussex. Mr. Moore was formerly stationmaster at Lewes, and his dog. “Railway Jack,” was
known far and wide as a traveller. He began by taking the train to Brighton and Newhaven, and then extended his journey to
London, Dover, and Canterbury, and after went as far afield as Exeter, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, but always returned to Lewes.
Once, at Eastbourne, the late Lady Brassey presented “Jack” to the Prince and Princess of Wales, and he was introduced to
Prince and Princess of Saxe Weimar at Cowes. He was a great favourite everywhere, had three fine collars given him and a
silver medal. “Jack” was nearly thirteen when he ended his notable career.
THE BRIGHTON BRANCH OF A.S.L.E.&F. WEBSITE.
HAS NOW BEEN MOVED TO A NEW SITE CALLED
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PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW
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CLICK ON THE ABOVE IMAGE TO TAKE YOU
TO THE NEW UPDATED COMBINED AND WEBSITE
IGNITING THE FLAME OF UNITY WEBSITE
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THIS WEBSITE COMBINES THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES
THE BRIGHTON A.S.L.E.&F., THE BRIGHTON MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS
& THE SUSSEX MOTIVE POWER WEBSITES
WHICH EXPLAINS THE EVOLUTION OF THE FOOTPLATE GRADES AND THE
HISTORY OF THEIR TRADE UNIONS AND THE STRUGGLES TO IMPROVE
THEIR WORKING LIVES
CLICK ON THE ABOVE IMAGE TO TAKE YOU
TO THE NEW UPDATED COMBINED AND WEBSITE
IGNITING THE FLAME OF UNITY WEBSITE
https://ignitingtheflameofunity.yolasite.com/
THIS WEBSITE COMBINES THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES
THE BRIGHTON A.S.L.E.&F., THE BRIGHTON MOTIVE POWER DEPOTS
& THE SUSSEX MOTIVE POWER WEBSITES
WHICH EXPLAINS THE EVOLUTION OF THE FOOTPLATE GRADES AND THE
HISTORY OF THEIR TRADE UNIONS AND THE STRUGGLES TO IMPROVE
THEIR WORKING LIVES