Item courtesy of Roy Curtis - 1959 to '61
As a point of interest – especially to those that ran “full pelt” past the old High Wycombe Station Booking Office - in their endeavour to get through “the top iron gate” before it was closed, so as not to be deemed “LATE” (and thus suffer the consequences) – and those that still enjoy the memories of those steamy, oily, and coal smoke laden days, of the GWR, and perhaps may have looked upon it, to work out how long it would be before they got home, and would have to start on homework. I talk obviously of “The Clock”. “The Clock” upon which the efficiency and administration of the High Wycombe Railway Station, not only relied, but depended upon and which hung in the Booking Office.
It was of course, the railways, that brought about the need for unified “timekeeping” throughout the British Isles. The High Wycombe Booking Office Clock is dated in the 1880’s – thus is a unique item of the Great Western Railway, let alone that of British History.
In the 1970’s, when they were modernising the High Wycombe Railway Station, and just throwing out this and that, because it didn’t fit into the “new modern image” of rail travel – “The Clock” was a victim.
I am pleased to say (nay privileged to say) – THAT I NOW OWN THIS CLOCK !!
From the photo, you can see that it looks just fine, hanging (befittingly) in my hall, on a big old 6" nail in the Cobb wall (which I did not want to disturb).
So !!! - to all those that blamed - “The Clock” - for their lateness – suffer, as you did !!! – for “this’ clock still keeps “the right time”.