Parker, Charles – Engine driver drove Robert the Devil

Charles Parker (1867-1937)

Charles Parker was only 17 years of age when his father died, and he became the mainstay of the home.

At the time he was employed as a blacksmith at Richard Hornsby and Sons, but left to take position as an engine cleaner what was then the GNR, later the LNER.

He rose to become an engine driver.

He was a well-known and respected figure on the London to York route on which he had driven express trains continuously for a considerable period.

One of his engines was Robert the Devil.

In January, 1928, the assistant-general secretary of the Associated Society of Loco Engineers and Firemen, presented Mr Parker, on behalf the Grantham branch, with a gold medal on his retirement from the footplate at the age of 61.

For a good many years he was sick visitor for the Locomotive sick club, and had been representative for the Grantham branch at the meetings in Doncaster, the headquarters of the society.

He was a member of the old Board of Guardians (Workhouse), and latterly served on the public assistance committee of the County Council.

He stood for Labour for the Town Council in Somerby Ward in 1927 but he was defeated by Alderman Rothwell Lee, the retiring member.

He was one the pillars of the Commercial-road Methodist church and circuit, and to the time of his death was senior society steward and secretary for the trustees’ estate.

Mr. Parker had been a worker for the Methodist cause for nearly 50 years, and a particularly staunch helper at Commercial Road for more than 20 years.