South Yorkshire Times, July 14th 1933
The Drayman’s Rest
Wombwell Loses an Old Servant
After 34 Years
This is Harry Hedges. His proper name is Henry, but not many would know him by it. The photograph shows him in a characteristic pose.
Against the background of life in Wombwell for the past 35 years Harry has mostly been seen in this or a similar posture. His work has consisted in “fetching and carrying.” His life has been spent in “lifting loads.” He is employed as drayman for the L.M.S., which he still refers to as “The Midland.” Today (Friday) he reaches the age of superannuation and will go into well-earned retirement. It is possible that he will leave the district and go ‘home” to the Midlands, but on that point his mind is not yet made. Mr. Hedges, whose home is at 28, Windmill Road, Wombwell, was born at Bradford-on- Avon, Wilts. started work at the age of 11 as a butcher’s boy, and learned the trade. Then he entered the service of the Midland Railway at Bath, and in the same capacity came to Wombwell in February 1899. The branch line between Sheffield and Barnsley, through Wombwell, was not opened until 1897; when Mr. Hedges came to the town there was as atmosphere of “newness” about the station.
Hitherto the Midland Railway Company had done all their business at Wombwell through the station at Darfield, which was then situated near the cutting at Broomhill. Travel by the new station at Wombwell Main developed as a new habit, and during his first few years in the district Mr. Hedges saw the business in passenger and merchandise traffic increase out of all proportion. For many years prior to the war, it required five horses and three or four draymen to deliver the goods sent through Wombwell Main station to business houses in the district. Mr. Hedges was first horseman when the stabling and grooming was a very considerable business. The rate for delivery at that time was something like a shilling a ton, and there were very few business people who did not avail themselves of the cheap facilities. But having seen the tide of railway commerce flow, Harry Hedges lived long enough to see it ebb. Company combinations cut out competition. and the price for delivering freightage went up to such an extent that it became worthwhile for business people to fetch their own. It is no uncommon thing in these days to see loads of four or five tons leave the station in private vehicles; once all that was taken away by Harry and his colleagues.
For the past fifteen years Mr. Hedges has been the only drayman at the station. A great part of his work now consists in taking out goods for the trading clubs and bulky volumes of “Dickens.” There was a time when the duties performed by this old servant were quite indispensable to the business life of Wombwell. Load after load he has taken down Hough Lane of merchandise consisting of everything from mops and mangles to monkey nuts, and his coming has always been welcomed. Rigid adherence to railway rules and loyalty to the company employing him have always been his first and second commandments, but he has gone out of his way to help many people. and the town and district will miss him. Year in and year out. Mr. Hedges has worked to a schedule, but he has had his thrills. Recollections of storms and floods and snows are stored in his memory, along with runaway horses and overturned vehicles.
But perhaps the most amusing episode occurred not more than a year ago. when his mare “Dolly’ was engaged in a terrific fight with a disreputable looking black pig not far from the centre of Wombwell. A traction bus and several other motor vehicles were involved in the fracas. While at Wombwell Main, Mr. Hedges has worked under three station masters: Mr. T. Collett, Mr. H. A Field, and now Mr. C. Dagley—and all have had a good word for him. He leaves the company without a blemish on his record, and has received a letter of appreciation from the District Goods Manager. Apart from one accident he has never had a lay off for illness. Dogs, ferrets and gardening constitute his chief hobbies. Mr. and Mrs. Hedges have had six children, and all have been born in Wombwell. He has been a member of the Wombwell Main Allotment Society from its inception.