James Russell 1871 - 1898

James Russell was the uncle of our grandmother Daisy Louisa Russell. He lived in Lewisham and worked as a platelayer on the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway. He wasn't the only Russell who worked for the railway. He was one of four brothers working as platelayers James, Ernest, Alfred, and William (Daisy's father who later married Kate Dugay).

On 16th September 1898 he was working on the line near Penge Junction in South London, at the location shown on the map,  along with several others including his brother Ernest.  At about 8am an express train from Chatham struck James and killed him instantly. There are gruesome newspaper reports describing his injuries - his body was carried about 400 yards up the line towards Kent House station. The driver of the train was unaware of what had happened until the train arrived at St. Paul's (now Blackfriars) station in central London. 

At the inquest his colleagues could not account for James being on the same line as the express, and a verdict of accidental death was recorded. 

James left a wife and four children.