Life is full of surprises!
Whilst researching the Wellingborough train crash in the Northampton Mercury 9th Sept 1898, I spotted a reference to Lieutenant-Colonel Yorke, an Inspector for the Board of Trade. His name rang some bells as he was involved in reporting on the safety aspects of Rushden Station foot bridge before the station opened in 1893/4. I also remembered seeing a blue covered wooden box with his name on it in our reserve collection . The box was locked but had something inside, I was intrigued and after careful manipulation managed to open it to find, – not reports about railway accidents – but tourist guides that Northampton Council sent to RHTS in 1987! Although not what I was hoping for, they are interesting in there own right, being nearly 40 years old.
Col Yorke’s box has King Edward the VII monogram on it, which dates it between 1901- 1910. The box was made by Wickwar and Co Manufacturers, who ‘since 1750 have made iconic despatch boxes’ for Prime Ministers and Royalty. Needless to say the box will be part of our new display about the Wellingborough Station accident.
