Henry DILLEY

From Ted Evans of Derby: Henry Dilley was employed by the Midland Railway Company. He was born 28.5.1854 in Clifton, Bedfordshire. His parents were John and Mary. He had four sisters and two brothers. All working age children and parents were employed in the straw plaiting trade, virtually the sole employment in the Biggleswade area in the early 19th century. By 1881 Henry had married Jane with Walter their first child who by the age of 16 had joined his father on the Railways. His father was initially employed as signalman at Luton and then moving to Yorkshire as signalman at Garsdale and his son Walter as Railway Porter.

In 1901 Henry was relief signalman at Settle and was living at 5 Railway Cottages Settle. His wife died in 1903 and by 1911 Henry was Stationmaster at Ribblehead Station. He died at Ribblehead in 1913 (Nov 13th) of cardiac failure following pleurisy with his youngest son Ernest Ezra present. Walter, his son, also became Signalman near Whitkirk, Leeds, before moving to Gloucester with his family wife and son & daughter. His daughter was my mother and his son Ernest. Ernest became a main line engine driver.