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Memorial to Richard Newmann at Marley.

A severe snow storm in January, 1917 was the cause of a G.S. & W.R. train being snowed up at Marley on the Bagenalstown to Wexford branch line.

The first engine sent to clear the line also became a victim of the elements, which necessitated the sending of a second engine to continue the work.

When the task was finally completed, there were two engines in steam, four ballast vans, two breakdown vans and a steam crane attached to the original train, (engine and two carriages).

The train had only started back to Borris, when the driver of the second engine heard a moan, he put on the brake and sounded a 'crow whistle'. He got down from the engine and found a body caught in the wheels.

One of the workmen, Richard Newmann, had fallen from the ballast van. At the subsequent inquest evidence of identification was given by the deceased's stepfather Patrick Doyle, who was also a member of the breakdown gang. The following verdict was reported in The Nationalist & Leinster Times, February, 1917:

'That Richard Newmann came by his death accidentally on the night of the 29th January, 1917, on the railway line at Marley. The jury have no evidence to show that the door was securely fastened, and they (the jury) recommended the mother of the deceased boy to the consideration of the railway company. The jury also expressed their most sincere sympathy with the mother of the deceased in her sad bereavement.'

Source: Source: Carloviana 1989/90 No. 37. Page 20

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[ Borris Railway Station ]

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