James Arthur Taylor

James Arthur Taylor was killed in a railway tunnel.

James Taylor had driven a train to Netherton where he and a guard and fireman were relieved at 10.20pm. They then intended to take the train back to Wolverhampton which left at 11.20pm. They got into a third class compartment in the middle of the train but before it left James Taylor left the compartment on the off side and locked the door. He had left behind his tin with his food in it.

His colleagues didn't know why he got out of the compartment but assumed that he had got in another compartment. Almost straight after the train left. His colleagues looked out of the window for him but didn't see him.

When the train got to Wolverhampton they searched the train for him but couldn't find him and assumed that he had been left behind.

The autopsy stated that James Taylor was badly bruised about the face and head and had 7 teeth missing and that there was a fracture at the base of his skull.

The coroner said that he was not satisfied with the evidence of his James Taylor's colleagues who he said had given him the impression that they had concealed something that would throw light as to why James Taylor had got out of the compartment and a verdict of 'Found Dead' was returned.

He had lived at 34 Ewins Street in Wolverhampton and was a goods engine driver employed by the Great Western Railway Company.