| Notes |
- 1891 British Census of Wadhurst, Sussex, England
James Bassett - 37 - M - Head - Rotherfield, Sussex - Coach Builder
Mary - 38 - F - Wife - Wadhurst, Sussex
Edward - 17 - M - Son - Wadhurst, Sussex - Assistant
Tho. Wm. - 11 - M - Son - Wadhurst, Sussex - Scholar
John - 9 - M - Son - Wadhurst, Sussex - Scholar
Alfred Chs. - 6 - M - Son - Wadhurst, Sussex - Scholar
Fred. C. - 2 - M - Son - Wadhurst, Sussex - Scholar
Station Chief Fred, The Anonymous Hero Of The Blitz, Dies
(Includes picture)
Fred Bassett, M.B.E., the unnamed stationmaster hero described in a wartime Ministry of Information booklet because of the way he coped with numerous air raids on rail stations, died in hospital on Sunday at the age of 82.
Mr. Bassett, of 72 Crantock Rd., Catford, became one of Britian's youngest stationmasters when he was appointed at Holborn Viaduct in 1932.
He served on the railways for 51 years, starting at 14, earning "around five shillilngs a week" said his son this week.
He was awarded his M.B.E. for his work and for "exceptional bravery" during the war.
One incident described in the Ministry booklet, tells of his bravery during one particular heavy air raid at Charing Cross station where he had been transferred in 1938.
He could not be named until several months after the booklet was published for security reasons.
By the light of flames from blazing rubble he discerned the faces of several railwaymen coming away from a bridge he was approaching. Take care you didn't trip over that time bomb, he was warned. He calmly gave orders to clear the area. He also went over to ensure the signalman was safe. Later, he recalled that the police were not wholly agreeable to his order to keep the road outside clear too. They reminded him that the railways "don't own the roads too," but his wishes were obeyed - and proved right. This characteristic of "sticking his neck out if he knew he was right" figured throughout his career on the railways.
Born in Wadhurst, he was the youngest son in an old and long-established family firm of wheelwrights and blacksmiths. Unlike his father and brothers, young Fred decided as soon as he left school to join the railways. "In those days it was quite a breakaway for him to throw up the family tradition", said his son.
Besides Charing Cross he also became stationmaster at London Bridge, London's most heavily loaded commuter station, where he ended his career.
During the war, while working as stationmaster he was also a lieutenant in the Home Guard.
He had two sons, one of whom was killed in a railway accident at Guildford.
He has five grandchildren and leaves a widow Ethel. He and his wife celebrated their golden wedding two years ago.
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Bassett Family Association Database
Abt 1889 - 