History of Kilburn and West Hampstead

While West Hampstead had far fewer public houses than Kilburn and they were generally well run, there was always the potential for alcohol to cause trouble. The Railway Hotel on the corner of Broadhurst Gardens and West End Lane was owned and opened in 1881 by Richard Pincham. It was a large and popular venue offering accommodation as well as food and drink.  Around 10.30pm on 8 September 1897, James William Woledge and Henry Hiscocks were in the pub. It appeared the two men knew each other and began to argue, which prompted the barman to leap over the bar and eject them. Outside a fight erupted and Woledge fell to the ground, hitting his head hard on the pavement. Descriptions of what led up to the fight outside the Railway Hotel differ between witnesses. 33-year-old plumber James Woledge had lived with his wife Mary near Camden Town, before moving to 73 Broomsleigh Street off Mill Lane. At the inquest, his friend John Cook said he’d gone to the pub with James and no sooner had th...