A Tribute in Steel to a typical GWR worker.
Back in 2000, local artist David Morse crafted this evocative sculpture of a typical GWR factory worker. Made in stainless steel and standing a little over 2 feet (0.6m) tall, he bears the name Tom.
The Swindon Heritage Preservation Trust, in whose collection he rests, gave him that name. Much as the Unknown Soldier represents all those known only to God, Tom represents all Swindon’s railway workers. That’s men who toiled for the GWR from the earliest Victorian and Edwardian days and through the two world wars. It stands too as a tribute to British Rail workers, employed from 1948 until the final closure of the Works in 1986.
About the sculpture
David Morse made this maquette from a single, recycled kitchen sink. He did so in the hopes that there might be a full-scale set of workers, some as young as fourteen. And then positioned close to where, in the region of 2,000 workers crossed daily on their way to the main tunnel entrance.
All other traffic stopped for the men on foot and riding bicycles – here and at other entrances to the Works. Before the building of the tunnel men were often injured or killed crossing the line to get to the Works. For more about the Workers’ tunnel go here: https://swindonian.me/2021/04/02/gwr-workers-tunnel
Daniel Gooch carving
We may not, yet at any rate, have been able to fulfil David Morse’s hopes/ambitions. But we can look forward to getting Daniel Gooch in the GWR Park. South Swindon Parish Council have employed sculptor Graham Derham to carve GWR pioneer, and locomotive superintendent of the GWR, Sir Daniel Gooch out of the stump of an old Common Ash tree.
This project is continuing the improvements that made in the park over the past couple of years. That’s including the mural and the blossom circle.
And the finished product:
For more about Sir Daniel Gooch go here: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sir-Daniel-Gooch-1st-Baronet
