Robert Williams
From Festipedia, hosted by the FR Heritage Group
Robert Williams was born at Minffordd in a house on the Up side of Quarry Lane, opposite Lottie's He was the son of Job Williams, lately Minffordd crossing Keeper.
He started work as a loco fitter and engineman and rose, to become the last, resident, Loco Superintendent of the old FR Co, taking over the office from William Williams(no relation) in 1909. During WW1, Williams oversaw the adaptation of parts of Boston Lodge to serve as a National Shell Factory and he was retained by the Ministry of Munitions to manage the factory for the duration. Hugh Hughes deputised for him in regards the company business
At the end of February 1919 he asked to be re-instated as Loco Superintendant, to which the board agreed that he would be re-instated, at a salary of £2 10/- (£2.50) per week, plus war bonus, of £5, from April 1st.
In early November 1922, he was instructed, by Colonel Stephens to visit and inspect the NWNGR stock then stabled at Dinas.
In 1923, he was off on company business again, this time to Wake's Geneva yard at Darlington. Gowrie, from the NWNGR had been here unused since 1918. Although wanted by some FR people, its purchase was not sanctioned.
During the General Strike of 1926, it was Williams and the apprentices who keep the trains running. Later General Manager Robert Evans was a guard
A 'spy' by the name of Corfield for the Colonel took a trip on James Spooner and the resulting report brought a reprimand, blaming Williams for not using the available labour to its best advantage
Unfortunately, whilst there was a steady decline in business, there was also a decline in the condition of the loco stock. Morris Jones was brought in, and Williams was retired by Stephens, shortly thereafter.
[edit]Census Entry for 1891
| An entry has been found for this person at Railway Crossing/Cottage |
| where the year of birth is recorded as: 1865 in Minffordd |
[edit]Census Entry for 1901
| An entry has been found for this person at Railway Crossing/Cottage |
| where the year of birth is recorded as: 1865 in Minffordd |