Into the Jaws of Death: Portsmouth's railway pasts
Event Type: Local / Community
Takes Place: 1st December 2026
Time: 17:30
Venue: University of Portsmouth, Portland Building, Portland Lecture Theatre 1.74
Description: When you picture the age of steam, you might imagine mighty locomotives racing through the countryside. But what was life really like for the people who kept Britain's railways running? And what happened when their work put them in danger? On 1 December, Dr Mike Esbester uncovers forgotten stories of Portsmouth's railway workers. He reveals the risks they faced, the lives they led and the part they played in shaping our city. This public lecture is for anyone who wants a better understanding of the world we live in. You don’t need to know anything about the topic. Just bring your curiosity. Drawing on his research with the Railway Work, Life & Death project, Mike will take you behind the romantic image of steam railways to explore the dangerous reality. As part of Disability History Month, you'll discover how railway accidents changed workers' lives, and how some found new roles after suffering life-changing injuries. You'll hear the remarkable story of Frederick Potter, who lost a leg in an accident at Portsmouth Harbour but, with support from his colleagues, returned to work on Portsmouth’s railways. You'll also meet ordinary people whose extraordinary stories have been overlooked by history. They include Charlie Cornell, a railway worker of mixed ethnicity, and the sisters Alice and Ethel Allaway, who worked in Portsmouth around the First World War. You might even be able to help identify some of Portsmouth's other forgotten railwaywomen. Before the talk, you can visit the South coast's forgotten railway workers exhibition, created with Havant Local History Group as part of the Portsmouth Area Railway Pasts project. Afterwards, Mike will be joined by collaborators from the group and local heritage railways for an interactive panel discussion. As we mark Portsmouth 100, this is your chance to discover people who helped make our city what it is today. And if you have railway workers in your family tree, you might uncover a piece of your own history along the way.
How to book: Free tickets can be booked here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/into-the-jaws-of-death-portsmouths-railway-pasts-tickets-2003406847812
Price: Free
Email: mike.esbester@port.ac.uk
Organiser: Hannah Coombs
Lecturer: Mike Esbester
Region: South-East England