Woman Visits Subway Station Everyday for Two Decades to Hear Late Husband’s Voice
Grief—have you ever noticed how it sneaks into the quietest corners of life? A scent that stops you in your tracks, a song that pulls you back to a moment you thought you’d forgotten. It’s those little things, isn’t it, that make us feel close to someone we’ve lost? They’re like threads that keep the fabric of their presence intact.
For one woman, these threads led her somewhere unexpected—somewhere you probably wouldn’t think of as a place for love or healing. Yet, for nearly two decades, she went back there every day. What kept her going? Let’s just say it’s a story that will remind you how far love can reach, even when the person you love is no longer here.
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
A Voice That Sparked a Love Story
Margaret McCollum’s journey with Oswald Laurence began in the most serendipitous of ways. It was 1992, and they met while she was on a tour in Morocco. Oswald, a tour guide with a voice as captivating as the landscapes they explored, caught her attention. That voice, as Margaret described it, was “the most gorgeous” she had ever heard. It was the start of a love story that would shape her life.
Oswald wasn’t just a tour guide—he had been an actor and a voice artist. Decades earlier, in the late 1960s, he had recorded one of the most iconic announcements in London: the “Mind the Gap” message for the Northern line of the Underground. For years, his warm and reassuring voice echoed through the city’s transit system. Over time, the announcement was replaced in most stations, but one place held on to his recording—Embankment Station, the last place where Oswald’s voice continued to be heard.
From Morocco to London, their love grew strong, lasting until Oswald’s passing in 2007. Yet, even in his absence, the sound of his voice found a way to stay connected to Margaret, becoming a symbol of the enduring bond they shared.
Finding Comfort in His Words
After Oswald passed away, Margaret found herself longing for the familiar warmth of his voice. She discovered that the one place where she could still hear him was at Embankment Station. And so, day after day, she made her way there. Sitting quietly on a bench, she’d wait for the next train, just to hear those three simple words: “Mind the gap.”
To everyone else, it was just an announcement, part of the background noise of city life. But for Margaret, it was so much more. It was a connection to the man she loved, a thread that tied her present to the memories they had shared.
“Since he died, I would sit and wait for the next train until I heard his voice, knowing that I could go and listen to his voice was simply wonderful. It was a great comfort.”
For five years, this ritual became her way of keeping his memory alive. But in November 2012, something changed, threatening to silence the voice that meant so much to her.
A Voice Is Silenced—and Then Restored
In November 2012, progress threatened to sever Margaret’s precious connection to Oswald. The announcement at Embankment Station, featuring his iconic voice, was replaced with a new digital recording. For Margaret, it was devastating—an unbearable silence where her late husband’s presence had once lived.
Determined to hold onto what little remained of Oswald, Margaret reached out to the station staff, hoping they might have a copy of his recording. What followed was nothing short of extraordinary. Her story touched the hearts of the people at Embankment Station, London Underground, and Transport for London.
In a rare and beautiful display of compassion, staff searched archives, unearthed old tapes, and restored them. They digitized Oswald’s recording, cutting through layers of bureaucratic red tape along the way. This wasn’t just about a voice; it was about honoring a love story that had moved everyone involved.
Their efforts didn’t stop at a simple gesture. Margaret was given a CD of Oswald’s voice, allowing her to keep him close, even from the comfort of her own home. But the story didn’t end there. Sometimes, love finds a way to echo louder than before.
Echoes of Love on the Northern Line
The heartfelt efforts to restore Oswald’s voice didn’t just stop with a CD. Moved by Margaret’s story, Nigel Holness, director of London Underground at the time, “We were very touched by her story, so staff tracked down the recording and… are also working to restore the announcement at Embankment Station.”
By March 2013, their promise was fulfilled. Once again, Margaret could stand on the platform and hear the voice she cherished most, echoing through the station. Oswald’s warm, familiar “Mind the gap” filled the air, bringing both comfort and joy not only to Margaret but also to everyone who heard the remarkable story behind it.
Today, Oswald’s legacy continues to resonate. According to the London Transport Museum, the northbound platform at Embankment Station remains the only place along the Northern line where the non-digital voice of Oswald Laurence delivers the iconic safety message. His voice rings out three times for every train, a timeless tribute to love, memory, and the power of human connection.
A Lasting Tribute to Love’s Strength
For anyone who has experienced loss, the desire to hold onto a piece of the person we loved is universal. Whether it’s a keepsake, a photograph, or in Margaret’s case, the sound of Oswald’s voice, these connections help us carry their memory forward.
Margaret’s devotion to preserving Oswald’s voice is deeply inspiring, but so is the extraordinary compassion shown by the people who made it possible. From station staff to executives, their efforts went far beyond what anyone might have expected. It was a collective act of kindness rooted in love—not just for Margaret’s husband, but for her as a fellow human being.
Loss reminds us of life’s fragility, but love reminds us of its strength. Thanks to this shared humanity, Oswald’s voice continues to echo, a beautiful testament to the enduring power of love and connection.