Bernard Holden MBE RIP

Just announced on the Bluebell mailing list that the Bluebell Railway president Bernard Holden passed away this morning. He was 104.

He was born in 1908 at Barcombe station, part of a large family who had a connection with the LB&SCR to its early days - his grandfather had worked on the Brighton - Shoreham line. His father was stationmaster at Barcombe station.

He spent his whole career working for the railways. In 1940 he had helped arrange trains to take troops away from the south coast ports as part of the Dunkirk evacuation; later in the war he was stationed in India, working on the Indian Railways as a Captain in the Royal Engineers.

When the first meeting of the nascent Bluebell Railway Preservation Society was held, Bernard was asked to chair, as none of the founder members was over the age of 21. It started a second life connected with the Bluebell Railway; I wonder if he realised at the time that it would still be going more than 50 years later? Bernard was for a time "Superintendent of the Line" (an LB&SCR term, equivalent to General Manager) and latterly became the Society's president. Even in the last few years, he was frequently to be seen at the railway, often having a meal with his helper at a quiet table in the corner of the Bessemer Arms.

Sadly, his death comes just months before the railway is able to complete its extension to East Grinstead, one of two projects known to be dear to his heart (the other was the restoration of the LB&SCR Directors' Saloon).

A couple of photos (not mine) of Bernard in happier times at events to mark the 50th anniversary:

Signalling a recreation of the moment when Stepney arrived at the line via Ardingly
At a reuninon with the founders

I offer his family my condolences and salute one of preservation's great names, without which our hobby would surely not have developed to the extent it has.

Tom

 

So sad that Bernard wasn't able to travel on the first train to East Grinstead. As you say, the project was so dear to his heart. My condolences to his "physical" familyand to his "Bluebell" family.

 

What a sad sad day.Really thought he would get to see HIS railway get into East grinstead.A wonderful person.Preservation will be a poorer place without him. R I P Mr Holden you done us proud.

 

The preservation world in general and the Bluebell in particular has lost a great friend and champion with Bernard's passing. Had dealings with him in early BBLS days and he was always a perfect gentleman. The Bluebell will be his memorial and one couldn't have a finer one that that. RIP Bernard.

 

Duplicate post removed.

 

Very, very sad news. RIP Mr. Holden, a wonderful character from what I have heard and link to the old days. Heartbreaking that he won't be on the first train to EG - but I bet he'll be there in spirit.

Perhaps a fitting tribute at some point in the future would be the restoration of the LBSCR Saloon, noted as being dear to his heart, and it being named after him with a nameplate, photo and biography mounted prominently inside? I think many of us would be happy to give a tenner to that.

 

Preservation has sadly lost one of its great pioneers and a truly influential man. Sadly never met or spoke to him but would have happily spent many hours listening to stories of the line in LBSCR/SR days as well as those early Bluebell days speaking as someone who is of a similar age now as the original BRPS founders were during the lines foundation. So sad to think that he won't be on that first train to East Grinstead.

RIP Bernard.

 

He spent some time in the same care home as my Nan rcently and had the absolute pleasure of talking to him about all things Bluebell and steam in general. As previously said it is such a shame he didn't quite make it to see the Extension completed. Such a sad loss for preservation. The things he must have seen in the 104 years he spent here, the mind boggles. RIP Mr Holden.

 

Obituary in the Daily Telegraph today:-

Bernard Holden - Telegraph

 

Details of Bernard's funeral, which will take place next Tuesday, 16 October, have been published on the Bluebell Railway website. Bluebell Railway Preservation Society - Members' Info

In brief, there will be a train for family over the whole line, top-and-tailed by our two currently servicable LBSC locos, Birch Grove and Stepney. This departs SP at 10am, followed by a funeral in Ditchling Church at 12:30.

It has been requested that there are no flowers, but donations can be sent to the Bluebell Railway Trust, and will be split between the Northern Extension Project and a fund to restore the LBSC Directors' Saloon.

Tom

 

Bernard Holden's funeral was today in Ditchling, where he lived the last years of his life.

Before the funeral, a special train was run from Sheffield Park to Imberhorne Lane and back, for family and friends. This was top-and-tailed with our two currently operable LBSC locomotives, Stepney and Birch Grove, with Bernard's coffin travelling in LSWR brake 3rd 1520 and the locos carrying brass-edged headcode discs.. At each station, there were large numbers of volunteers lined up to pay their last respects as the train passed through.

More media coverage:

BBC News - Bluebell Railway founder Bernard Holden's final journey
Tributes to steam train engineer - ITV News
Last ride for founder of Bluebell Railway (From The Argus)

Tom

 

BRPS chairman Roy Watts gave the following write up of Bernard's funeral:

Tom