Biographies of people buried between 1880 & 89
George Henry Oakes (Killed at Work) (1871 - 1889)
George Henry Oakes was an Engine Cleaner employed by the London and North-Western Railway Company at Ordsall Lane Shed, when he was crushed and killed when he became trapped between a locomotive and a tender.
He was born in Nottingham in the third quarter of 1871. His father was George Oakes (born 1847 in Radford, Nottinghamshire) and his mother was Ann, nee Hughes, who was also born in Nottinghamshire in 1847. The couple were married at St Ann's Anglican Church in Nottingham on 25th January 1869.
The 1871 census had the couple living at Cumberland Street, St Mary, Nottingham, with their one year old daughter Annie E. By 1881, the family had moved to Salford and were living at 14, Kingston Street, Salford and George was a Printer Compositor. Their family now included George Henry aged 9 as well as Annie aged 11.
Tragedy struck on 4th June 1889 when George Henry was killed at work in the Ordsall Lane Engine sheds. The Manchester Times of 8th June 1889 records, "FATAL ACCIDENT IN A RAILWAY SHED. An Inquest was held on Thursday by the Coroner for the Salford District, Mr F Price, concerning the death of a lad named George Henry Oakes, aged 17, lately living at Leak Street, Cornbrook, Old Trafford. The deceased was employed as an Engine Cleaner on the London and North-Western Railway at Ordsall Lane shed. On Tuesday afternoon, an engine was taken into the shed for the purposes of being cleaned. The deceased was told to keep out of the way, but he went between the engine and the tender, and was caught between the buffers. He was badly crushed and died at the Salford Royal hospital, where he was taken. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death." He was buried in Weaste Cemetery.
The 1991 census has the family living at Wesley Street, Salford, where Annie E is aged 21 and is employed as a Folder Sewer. The 1901 census has the family living at 5, Homer Street Stretford, where (father) George is aged 53 and still a Printer Compositor, Ann is aged 54 and Annie E is aged 31 and still single. The 1911 census shows Annie Eliza, aged 41, single and occupation none, who is a visitor with the Thorp family at 20 Graham Road, Pendleton. There is no 1911 census for George and Ann, but George died on 17th December 1924 aged 77 and is buried with his son at Weaste cemetery.
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