Henry the Golden Retriever at Woody Bay
If you recall last September, the Museum published a blog discussing the history of railway collection dogs in Britain. It turns out that around the time of publication, one station decided to bring back the tradition. What a fun coincidence!
London Jack V
London Jack was the name of a series of Black Retriever dogs who worked as collection dogs at Waterloo Station on the London & South Western Railway (LSWR) starting back in 1895. The railway donated these funds towards their railway orphanage in Clapham, later moved to Woking. The LSWR eventually became part of the Southern Railway in the 1920s and continued to raise money for their orphanage.
A better look at the reproduction Southern Railway collecting box
Last year, a new railway collection dog picked up the mantle. Henry the Golden Retriever now works part time at Woody Bay station on the restored Lynton & Barnstaple Railway in Wales. He makes his rounds two days a week dressed just like London Jack V. Henry wears a coat, medals, and a Southern Railway collecting box, all reproductions of historical artifacts.
Thankfully, railway work is much safer now than it was in the 1800s. The railway orphanage became less necessary and developed into Woking Homes, which helps retired railway employees. The funds Henry raises are divided between Woking Homes and the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust.
Woody Bay has a miniature museum with information about Woking Homes and collection dogs. If you are in the area during their operating season, pay them a visit! You may even get to meet Henry himself and his human, John Bond, if you visit on a Tuesday or Saturday.
Henry and John Bond on duty at Woody Bay
Thank you, Henry, for your charitable contributions and for keeping history alive. It turns out living history is not just for human reenactors!
Photos courtesy of Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, for more information please visit their website.
