Does anyone know who this person is?  It is believed the photograph is of a Richard Samuel France who died at his friend’s house in 1882 (William and Maria Spaull): Bryntirion on Morda Road, Oswestry.

This photo is still hanging on the wall at this house! The photograph is also in a house in BRONYGARTH: where apparently the owners grandfather bought the property off’a Mr France’, but we do not have the address or owners name of this house in BRONYGARTH. Millionaire Richard Samuel France owned mines and quarries in the Morda, Llanymynech and Nantmawr area. Mr France was responsible for building railway lines; including the Potts line and Abbey Station in Shrewsbury in 1866.

The Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust are also trying to trace his descendants , so anyone named France is welcome to contact them. Information about the photo is welcome please by Philip Davies; chairman of the Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust via 07662 215008 or abbeystationshrewsbury@gmail.com