Honouring London Jack

London Jack, a golden retriever, was regularly seen at London's Waterloo Station from 1923 to 1931, collecting money for the Southern Railway Servants' Orphanage at Woking.

During his tenure he raised an incredible £4500 (around £250000 in today's money) before he retired from service. Jack was one of many canines raising money at Londons' termini, and is now in the care of the Bluebell Railway in his stuffed and preserved form.

He continues to raise money for the railway and what is now known as Woking Homes, which provides care and living Accommodation for retired railway personnel. 

In honour of London Jack, John Bond, one of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway's Duty Controllers, has recreated the distinctive collection box for his own loyal friend, Henry, a seven-year-old golden retriever. The original fundraising dog received silver medals for every £100 raised and gold medals for every £500, these being pinned to his tunic and John intends to keep this worthy tradition alive with a medal for every £500 raised.

Henry, who has been a fixture at Woody Bay for some time, has been doing his bit in raising funds for the L&B and Woking Homes, whilst honouring the memory and legacy of the iconic London Jack in the process.

Henry and John can be seen on duty on some Saturdays at Woody Bay and are both happy to tell visitors more about this very important part of the Southern Railway's history.