‘The Stratford Upon Avon & Midland Junction Railway’ (or S.M.J.) was a small independent railway company which ran a line across the empty, untouched centre of England. It visited the counties of Northamptonshire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and a little of Buckinghamshire, only existing as the SMJ from 1909 to 1923. In 1923 the S.M.J.became a minor arm of the London Midland and Scottish (L.M.S.), then in 1948 'British Railways'
Gone but not forgotten: "the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth"
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SMJ Forum
SMJ keys from the Towcester area
I have been contacted by someone who wishes to dispose of two sets of SMJ-related keys from the Towcester area, but does not want to put personal email or other details on this website. They have been given to him by the estate manager at Easton…Continue
Started by Barry Taylor Aug 21.
Bridge sign 3 Replies
An East and West Junction and Stratford-On-Avon, Towcester and Midland Junction Railways bridge weight notice, cast iron, 16½"x11¾", the front repainted. As is usual, the company title has been altered to Stratford-On-Avon and Midland Junction…Continue
Started by Graham Ward. Last reply by Russ Firth Jun 1.
SMJ Postage stamps 1911 and 1924
A couple of items recently up for auction.GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY COMPANY AND STRATFORD-UPON-AVON & MIDLAND JUNCTION: 6…Continue
Started by Graham Ward May 21.
More building at Towcester 3 Replies
I hear there has been more building at the station site in Towcester.Anyone know what they've dug up?…Continue
Tags: Towcester
Started by Andy Thompson. Last reply by John Evans Apr 19.
SMJ photos
The Campion Family: SMJ employees
I would be grateful if anyone can let me know if there are any registers, documents or other employee information that exists where I might be able to find out more about the following members of my family:
1. Henry Campion 1830-1910 Lived in Luddington. From 1881 onwards was a plate layer.
His son
2. John Campion 1861-1939 Lived in Stratford. From 1891 onwards was a plate layer. Later moved to Butlers Marston
His son
3. Harry Campion 1883-1970 Lived in Stratford. From about 1905 was a railway labourer.
His brother
4. JamesCampion 1884-1957 Lived in Stratford, Lower Boddington then Towcester. From about 1911 was a plate layer.
His brother
5. William Campion 1886-1952 Lived at Butlers Marston.( By 1939 had moved to Sunderland.) In 1911 he was a plate layer.
His brother
6. Albert Campion 1891-1955 Lived in Butlers Marston Ganger on the permanent way
Daughter of James
7. Dorothy Campion 1924-2012 Lived in Towcester Worked also at Roade. Porter?
James Campion was my grandfather.
Thank you.
David Campion
(My brother, Graham, is also a member.)
Views: 426
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dick Bodily on
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There's a photo of ganger A Campion at Kineton on Page 94 of Jordan's SMJR book and ones of Jim and Harry Campion on Page 25. It says also on Page 25 that Jim was a ganger who later became an Acting Inspector at Towcester and that his daughter Dorothy worked in Towcester booking office during WW2 and that Harry worked as a ganger for 45 years.
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Permalink Reply by David Campion on
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Hello Dick. I am embarrassed. I forgot to mention that I have a copy of the Jordan book but I do appreciate the fact that you took the time and trouble to respond.
I think my next step will be to visit the archives at the National Rail Museum in York.
Thank you.
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Permalink Reply by Nick Meredith on
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The National Archive at Kew has the staff record book from the start of the SMJ railway through to weeks before the grouping.
It is a large format book so has to be viewed in the maps reading room.
Each employee has a section of a page, with a line entry per change of assignment or per change if pay (up or down!).
If they run out if space the final line entry is a pointer forward to a new entry for them, started on the first blank page of the book, where the first entry points back to their original page.
I’m pretty sure I saw Campions in there, last time I inspected it.
Reference: RAIL 674/11
Description:
Staff register
Note: Early entries relate to the East and West Junction Railway
Date: 1873-1923
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department: SMJ 15 1
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Access conditions: Closed For 75 years
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Hello Nick,
That's a very useful and a very detailed response.
I will book a day in London and hope their photocopier is working!
Many thanks for that.
I will post a reply on my return.
David
Nick Meredith said:The National Archive at Kew has the staff record book from the start of the SMJ railway through to weeks before the grouping.
It is a large format book so has to be viewed in the maps reading room.
Each employee has a section of a page, with a line entry per change of assignment or per change if pay (up or down!).
If they run out if space the final line entry is a pointer forward to a new entry for them, started on the first blank page of the book, where the first entry points back to their original page.
I’m pretty sure I saw Campions in there, last time I inspected it.
Reference: RAIL 674/11
Description:
Staff register
Note: Early entries relate to the East and West Junction Railway
Date: 1873-1923
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Former reference in its original department: SMJ 15 1
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description
Access conditions: Closed For 75 years
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Re: The Campion family and the SMJ
I have continued working on my family history and some information about the above members is on the Ancestry website. (www.ancestry.co.uk
I'm not sure if you have to be a member to access it but if you can then it is on my family tree viz. David Campion Tree 1 and you are welcome to look.
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