In 1876 John died while saving the express train, the Flying Dutchman, from disaster. It was a split second decision that would, not only change the lives of his friends and family, but also bring up questions in Parliament.

I wasn't able to include this in the show but here's a poem written about John Chiddy at the time.

MEMORY OF JOHN CHIDDY.

With roar of whirlwind wheels

The flashing train flies by

No shock the traveller feels

He hears cry

Nor starts, nor holds his breath,

Nor wonders, nor looks back ;

He saw not what dire Death

Couched iv his track.

But one man saw and stayed not,

One man sprang forth to save,

And for their lives who prayed not

His own life gave.

The train bore on In thunder

The travellers on their way:

Beneath them, clov'n asunder,

Their saviour lay. more his life-drops wet

The iron pathway's side :

The iron folk forget

For whom he died.

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette Daily Telegrams - Thursday 07 December 1876

THIS PODCAST

This podcast has been specially edited from a Bradley Stoke Radio show in Bristol, England. 

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SOURCES

Shepton Mallet Journal - Friday 07 April 1876

Reading Mercury - Saturday 22 April 1876

Bristol Archives

Ancestry

Find My Past

Kingswood Museum

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Sound Effects by zapsplat.com

Intro music by The Model Folk 

© THE BACKTRACKER HISTORY SHOW 2021