Samuel Mairs was a railway signalman at Hardington Marsh in 1894.

Childhood

Samuel was born on 18 August 1860 at Ashreigney, Devon. His father, George Mairs, was a thatcher who died when Samuel was three years old.

After his father’s death, his mother moved to Winkleigh, where she worked as a glover.

Time as a Hampshire gamekeeper

By April 1881, Samuel was a gamekeeper at Hurstbourne Priors, Hampshire.

Marriage

In 1889, Samuel married Elizabeth Driver near Axminster. She was the daughter of David and Susan Driver of Chesterton, Cambridgeshire. Her father was a labourer.

Early railway career

By April 1891, Samuel was a railway gatekeeper at Axminster. He and his family lived in a four-room house in Membury Road.

After two or three years at Axminster, Samuel and his family moved to Hardington, where Samuel was a signalman. Their third child was born at Hardington on 13 August 1894.

Return to Devon

Samuel returned to Devon, where he continued working as a signalman.

By April 1897, Samuel and his family lived at Great Torrington, and by June 1900, they lived at 1 South Lea Cottages, Pinhoe. By January 1902, they lived in one of the railway cottages at Bow. Samuel was a signalman at Bow for twenty years or more.

Retirement

By September 1939, Samuel had retired from the railway, and he and his wife lived at 2 Tozers, Bow.

Death

Samuel died in 1941, aged 80; Elizabeth died in 1951, aged 87.

Children

Samuel and Elizabeth had four sons and one daughter. Their son, Frederick Richard Mairs, who was born at Hardington, became a Police Sergeant.