That's some claim to fame! Almost the equivalent of being the first man in space for those days. Thanks for that snippet. ----- Original Message ----- From: <MICHAELCOOMBER@aol.com> To: <KENT-ENG-L@rootsweb.com> Cc: <MIDDLESEX_COUNTY_UK@rootsweb.com>; <opcsubmissions@kent-opc.org> Sent: Friday, June 18, 2010 10:56 PM Subject: [KENT-ENG] Death of Joseph BELL first Engine-Driver. ( 1895 ) > >>From The Star ( Saint Peter Port, England ), Thursday, September 12, >>1895; > pg. [ 1 ] ; Issue 110. > > > DEATH OF THE FIRST ENGINE DRIVER. > At the age of eighty-four has died Joseph BELL , who was the first > engine-driver in the world, and whose first engine was that famous > Rocket, the > parent of the mighty monsters of these days. BELL was for twenty-three > years > the driver of the South-Eastern Dover mail, and for seventeen years was > in > the employ of the District Railway Company. Three weeks ago he fractured > his > hip by falling through the unprotected trap of a public-house at Fulham, > and never recovered from the accident. His death took place on Saturday > at > the Queen's Jubilee Hospital. > > >