This is a holding page, shortly to be updated with the full life story of shunter Albert Shepherd. For now, an outline sketch is included. Please check back again soon.
Courtesy Isle of Wight Steam Railway Photographic Archive.
Whilst lots of the Island’s railway system before 1923 was run by Island-based railway companies, Ryde was different. The section of railway from Ryde Pier Head to St John’s Road was run by the mainland companies responsible for Portsmouth’s railways.
Albert Shepherd joined the railway at Ryde in 1899 as a porter. Over the years he also worked as a shunter (someone responsible for joining and uncoupling railway vehicles).
It was in this role that, on 4 December 1910, he had an accident at Ryde Pier Head. While coaches were being moved he slipped and was hit by a coach footstep, injuring his hip. His employer, the London & South Western and London, Brighton & South Coast Joint Railway, was criticised for the unsafe conditions which led to the accident.
Albert’s time with the railway ended under a cloud: in 1914 he was convicted of theft and lost his job. He later found work as a labourer; in 1939 he was a hotel porter.