This is a holding page, shortly to be updated with the full life story of Percy Heather. For now, an outline sketch is included. Please check back again soon.
Porter Percy Heather was a long-term Haslemere staff member, having worked there since 1901. That came to an end on 13 November 1936.
At just after 6am, he pressed a button on the Portsmouth side of the station, to communicate with the signalman. He then went to cross the main lines – and was next seen lying beside the London-bound line. He had been hit by a passing steam engine.
The investigation found that Percy had been foul of the line, and so was hit by the engine. He hadn’t heard the warning whistle because of the noise of the train he had been working with. The report recommended changes to working practices – and, in light of the coming electrification of the line between London and Portsmouth, a change in layout was requested.