‘Since he died, I would sit and wait for the next train until I heard his voice.’
Whether you’re a Londoner or just visiting the capital city, the phrase “mind the gap” is one you’re likely familiar with.
It’s an iconic part of the London Underground experience, heard by millions of commuters and tourists every day.
However, at Embankment Station, the announcement sounds a bit different, and there’s a poignant reason why.
In December 2012, just before Christmas, a woman who seemed very upset approached the staff at Embankment Station.
This woman, Dr. Margaret McCollum, was distressed because the familiar voice that used to say “mind the gap” was no longer being played.
The staff explained that the announcement system had been updated with a new digital system that offered different voices and more variety.
Dr. McCollum explained that the original voice was special to her because it belonged to her late husband, Oswald Laurence.
Laurence, an actor, had recorded the Northern Line announcements back in the 1970s. Although he never became famous, his voice became a comforting daily presence for McCollum, especially after he died in 2007.
For five years, she had visited the station daily just to hear his voice, a routine that helped her keep his memory alive.
John Bull, a historian and journalist, shared this touching story in a series of tweets, describing it as a tale of “London, trains, love and loss, and how small acts of kindness matter.”
The staff at Embankment were moved by McCollum’s story and promised to see if they could find a copy of the recording for her.
In the New Year, McCollum was once again at Embankment Station, and to her astonishment, she heard Oswald’s voice over the speakers.
“Mind the Gap,” said Oswald Laurence, the voice she thought she would never hear again.The London Underground staff had painstakingly searched through archives, restored old tapes, and reprogrammed the announcement system to bring back Oswald’s voice at Embankment Station.
Additionally, they provided McCollum with a CD recording of the announcement so she could listen to it whenever she needed comfort.
In London, there’s a woman who goes every day on the subway and sits on the dock just to listen to the announcement recorded by her husband in 1950.
Margaret McCollum after the death of her Oswald Laurence, sits on the bench waiting to hear this recording that became one of… pic.twitter.com/ZcU7Miwiqb
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) September 16, 2023
Speaking to the BBC at the time, London Underground director Nigel Holness said, “Transport for London were approached by the widow of Oswald Laurence to see whether she could get a copy of the iconic ‘mind the gap’ announcement her husband made over 40 years ago.”
“We were very touched by her story, so staff tracked down the recording and not only were they able to get a copy of the announcement on CD for her to keep but are also working to restore the announcement at Embankment station.”
This story, though nearly 11 years old, continues to resonate with many.
It shows us how powerful love endures even after a person has passed away.