Engine Drivers

[Fiftiesfury]

My father in law was an engine driver during the war transporting arms, tanks, ammo and army personel to and from redhill London and Dover. As a reserved Occupation, He was constantly under threat of bombing etc and I have written to the Medal Office to see if he could have been eligable for the Defence Medal. I haven't heard as yet, but does anyone know of any Engine Drivers getting awarded any medals? I'm sure he deserved one but the rules are not clear for the award?

[Paul Reed]

Unless he was part of a military formation, or in Civil Defence, I think you will find that he is not entitled to a medal for this.

[kfz]

I was only reading something about this the other day. There seems to be some movement toward reconsing the effort of the railways during ww2. The figures are astounding, material moved.

Under researched area.

Kev

[Fiftiesfury]

Originally Posted by kfz

I was only reading something about this the other day. There seems to be some movement toward reconsing the effort of the railways during ww2. The figures are astounding, material moved.

Under researched area.

Kev

Totally agree Kev, because his job was considered "Reserved Occupation" he wasn't allowed to fight, but the stories regarding bombings etc and what he did regarding movement of troops and armoury was I think a contribution to the defence of this country and the War effort. Don't get me wrong when I say that he did more for the war effort than say, the home guard and they received the medal!

[jamesicus]

Originally Posted by Fiftiesfury

.......... I haven't heard as yet, but does anyone know of any Engine Drivers getting awarded any medals? ..........

Shortly after the war started the private railway companies -- LMS, LNER, GWR and SR -- were combined as a national service organization titled British Railways. Railway workers in general performed yeoman service throughout the war which I cover in some detail on my WW2 British Home Front -- Travel & Transportation Web page.

The only award I am aware of for wartime service is the one provided by the individual companies shortly after the war ended and before the railways were nationalized. Here is one awarded to one of my uncles by LMS:



I have a good friend -- Harry Postlethwaite, who now resides in Canada and was an LMS engine driver during WW2 -- I will ask him if he has any further knowledge of this.

[Rich Payne]

Was it not the case that someone in a "Reserved occupation" couldn't be called up but that they were usually free to volunteer ?

Campaign Medals were issued by the Armed services to their members. There were certainly instances of Railway employees receiving the George Cross for individual acts of bravery. (The driver of the bombed ammunition train in Aldershot in 1940? rings a bell)

[52nd Airborne]

Off the top of my head I can think of 3 GC winners.

Driver Benjamin Gimbert & Fireman James Nightall were each awarded the George Cross for their actions in saving the town of Soham from severe damage when their ammunition train they were working caught fire - 2nd June 1944.

Guard Norman Tunna was awarded the George Cross for uncoupling and shunting blazing wagons clear of a ammunition train in Birkenhead during a air raid.

[Kyt]

According to the George Cross database the following railwaymen have been awarded the GC over the years:

John AXON, GC (Posthumously)

No. & Rank at the Time of Action: Locomotive Driver
Unit/Occupation: British Rail
Date and Place of Birth: 4th December 1900, 38 Providence Street, Stockport, Cheshire
Family: Husband of Gladys
Early Life: He joined the Railway service at the end of the 1939-45 war when he became an enine cleaner at Longsight, Manchester.
Date and Place of GC Action: 9th February 1957, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire
The London Gazette: 7th May 1957

Benjamin GIMBERT, GC

No. & Rank at the Time of Action: Locomotive Driver
Unit/Occupation: London & North Eastern Railway (LNER)
Date and Place of Birth: 6th February 1903, Ely, Cambridgeshire
Family: Husband of Mrs Violet Gimbert
Early Life:
Date and Place of GC Action: In the early hours of 2nd June 1944, Soham Railway Station, Cambridgeshire
The London Gazette: 25th July 1944

James Stirratt Topping KENNEDY, GC (Posthumously)

No. & Rank at the Time of Action: Security Officer
Unit/Occupation: British Rail Engineering Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland
Date and Place of Birth: 1930, Carmunnock, Glasgow, Scotland
Family: Husband of Mrs Ellen Kennedy. Three daughters Shona, Elspeth and Leila.
Early Life:
Date and Place of GC Action: 21st December 1973, St. Rollox Engineering Works, Townhead, Glasgow, Scotland
The London Gazette: 15th August 1975

James William NIGHTALL, GC (Posthumously)

No. & Rank at the Time of Action: Locomotive Fireman
Unit/Occupation: London & North Eastern Railway (LNER)
Date and Place of Birth: 20th May 1922, Littleport, Cambrideshire
Family:
Early Life:
Date and Place of GC Action: In the early hours of 2nd June 1944, Soham Station, Cambridgeshire
The London Gazette: 25th July 1944

Wallace Arnold OAKES, GC (Posthumously)

No. & Rank at the Time of Action:
Unit/Occupation: Locomotive Driver, British Rail
Date and Place of Birth: 23rd April 1932, Barbridge, Nantwich, Cheshire
Family:
Early Life:
Date and Place of GC Action: 5th June 1965, near Crewe
The London Gazette: 19th October 1965

Arthur Devere THOMAS, GC

No. & Rank at the Time of Action: Railway Flagman
Unit/Occupation: London Underground
Date and Place of Birth: 5th August 1895, London
Family:
Early Life:
Date and Place of GC Action: 14th January 1931, Kings Cross Station, London
The London Gazette: 31st March 1931
Citation:

Norman TUNNA, GC

No. & Rank at the Time of Action: Shunter
Unit/Occupation: Great Western Railway (GWR)
Date and Place of Birth: 29th April 1908, Birkenhead, Cheshire
Family: Husband of Mrs Helena Tunna
Early Life:
Date and Place of GC Action: 26th September 1940, Morpeth Dock, Birkenhead, Cheshire
The London Gazette: 24th January 1941

[52nd Airborne]

Originally Posted by Kyt

Benjamin GIMBERT, GC

No. & Rank at the Time of Action: Locomotive Driver
Unit/Occupation: London & North Eastern Railway (LNER)
Date and Place of Birth: 6th February 1903, Ely, Cambridgeshire
Family: Husband of Mrs Violet Gimbert
Early Life:
Date and Place of GC Action: In the early hours of 2nd June 1944, Soham Railway Station, Cambridgeshire
The London Gazette: 25th July 1944

I don't know whether he was awarded the London and Northern Eastern Railway Gallentry Medal, but the medal next to the George Cross could be it. A total of 22 of these medals have been awarded, the last being in 1947.

[52nd Airborne]

Norman Tunna

Norman Tunna was a Shunter with the Great Western Railway (GWR) company.
On 26 September 1940, when the German Air Force carried out a large bombing raid on Merseyside, in the Morpeth dock area of Birkenhead, the scores of railway lines were crowded with trains. These air raids resulted in a number of serious fires involving railway and dock warehouse properties. A large number of incendiary bombs fell on and about the goods station and sidings. Amongst the wagons in the yards was a train loaded with ammunition and various trucks containing canned petrol. Most of the enemy incendiaries had been extinguished by the prompt action of the staff on duty, but a serious fire developed from incendiaries falling in one section of the station.
During the course of these events, Norman Tunna discovered two incendiary bombs burning in a sheeted open wagon, which contained 250lb bombs. With a disregard for his own safety, Tunna removed the sheet and extinguished the incendiary bombs. He then removed the extinguished bombs from the wagon.
Norman Tunna died on 4 December 1970.
On 15 November 1982, at Liverpool's Lime Street Station a Class 47 main line diesel locomotive was named "Norman Tunna, GC" by his widow.

Benjamin Gimbert and James William Nightall

Benjamin Gimbert and James William Nightall are the only railwaymen to have won their George Cross medals in the same incident.
Benjamin Gimbert was a Driver with the London & North Eastern Railway (LNER).
James William Nightall was a LNER Fireman on the train driven by Benjamin Gimbert.
As an ammunition train, composed of 51 wagons, was pulling into Soham Rail Station in Cambridgeshire, Driver Gimbert discovered that the wagon next to the engine was on fire. He immediately drew Fireman Nightall's attention to the fire and stopped the train. By the time the train had stopped the whole of the truck was enveloped in flames. Realising the danger, Gimbert instructed Nightall to try and uncouple the truck immediately behind the blazing truck. Nightall immediately uncoupled the truck, although he also knew that the truck contained explosives.
The blazing truck was close to the station buildings at Soham, and was an obvious danger to life in the village. Both Gimbert and Nightall realised that they had to separate the truck from the remainder of the train. Gimbert set the engine in motion, pulling the burning truck away from the rest of the train. As they approached the signal box, Gimbert shouted to the signalman to stop the mail train which was almost due. At that instance, the bombs in the blazing wagon exploded.
A 20 feet deep crater was blown in the track and all the buildings at Soham Rail Station were destroyed. A total of 600 buildings were damaged, including the station hotel. Fireman Nightall was killed instantly, and the signalman later died of his injuries. The train's guard, Herbert Clarke, survived although he was very badly shaken.
Despite being blown sky-high by the explosion, Gimbert survived. During his 6-week stay in hospital some 32 assorted pieces of glass, gravel and metal were removed from his body.
Benjamin Gimbert died on 6 May 1976, and is buried in the churchyard of St. John the Evangelist.
On 28 September 1981, at March Station, two Class 47 locomotives were named in honour of these two railwaymen: No. 47577 was named "Benjamin Gimbert, GC" and No. 47579 was named "James Nightall, GC".

John Axon

John Axon, born on 4 December 1900, was a Driver with British Rail.
On Saturday 9 February 1957, Driver Axon took charge of of the 11.05am freight train from Buxton to Warrington. This train consisted of 33 loaded wagons and a brake van. At the head of this train was Stanier 8F 2-8-0 Number 48188. The total weight of wagons, brake van and engine was some 775 tons.
Driver Axon's train was running at 15 mph on the London Midland Region line from Buxton towards Chapel-on-le-Frith. He was preparing to stop the train before descending a steep gradient when the steam pipe feeding the brake suddenly fractured.
In addition to destroying the train's braking system, high-pressure steam filled the cab with blinding, scalding steam which was discharged directly at Driver Axon's feet. Although very badly burned, he remained at his post and tried to get the train under control. With the assistance of his fireman, Axon applied the handbrake and closed the regulator. However, the train was now descending the gradient could not be stopped. Axon ordered his fireman to jump clear and attempt to apply as many wagon brakes as possible. Despite this measure, the train continued to gain speed.
Driver Axon remained at his post, despite the steam and boiling water which was continuing to pour into the cab, and his severe burns. He waved a warning to a signalman that the train was running out of control, but remained at his post in an attempt to regain control.
However, before this occurred, the train crashed into the rear of another freight train. Driver Axon was killed in the crash.
On 19 February 1981 at London's Euston Station, an electric train no. 86261 called "Driver John Axon, GC" was unveiled.

Wallace Arnold Oakes

Wallace Arnold Oakes, born on 23 April 1932, was a Driver with British Rail.
Driver Oakes left Crewe driving the steam locomotive of a relief passenger train. The train consisted of ten coaches and was reasonably well filled with passengers.
When about seven miles from Crewe, travelling at nearly sixty miles per hour, the engine cab was suddenly filled with smoke and flames blowing back from the firebox. The fireman at once climbed through the side windows and somehow managed to get on the cab steps where he extinguished his burning clothing by rubbing himself against the plating. He could not see into the cab but, realising the brake had been applied, he remained on the steps until the train stopped.
The flames subsided at once and he re-entered the cab to find that Oakes was missing; he saw him lying on the cutting slope just ahead of the cab. His clothing was severely burnt and the flesh beneath had suffered similarly to tin extent described later as 80 per cent of his body. Oakes was, however, still able to speak at that stage but was dazed. The first person to make an inspection of the controls was a fireman from an up train which was stopped to pick up the injured man. He found the brake fully applied, the regulator partly open and the blower valve open.
It seems apparent, therefore, that Driver Oakes, instead of quitting the cab as soon as the blow-back occurred remained to apply the brake, open the blower, and probably close the regulator partly. The position in which he was found shows that he did not leave the engine until it had come to rest. Mr. Oakes must have been aware that to remain at the controls of the locomotive was a grave risk to his own life. Nevertheless, he applied the brakes fully and took all the measures he could to reduce the effects of the blow-back.
Driver Oakes' gallant action showed that his first thought was for the safety of his passengers.
Oakes' injuries were so severe that he had to be suspended over his hospital bed, as he was unable to lie down. He was given regular and large doses of morphia to alleviate the agony of his injuries. A week after the accident, on 12 June 1965, Wallace Arnold Oakes died in Manchester's Wythenshawe Hospital.
During 1966, Driver Oakes was also awarded the Bronze Medal of the Carnegie Hero Trust. The citation for this award reads as follows:
Wallace A. Oakes (33), locomotive Driver, 6 Sandy Lane, Wheelock Heath, Sandbatch, Cheshire, on 5 June 1965, although severely burned by a blow-back from the fire-box in the express train he was driving, brought the train to a stop at Winsford, Chesire, and ensured the safety of a large number of passengers; he died as a result of his injuries on 12 June 1965.
On 19 February 1981 at London's Euston Rail Station, an electric locomotive no. 86260 was named "Driver Wallace Oakes GC".

James Kennedy

James Kennedy was a Security Officer with British Rail Engineering Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland.
In the early hours of the 21 December 1973, six armed men attacked Security Guards who were moving the British Rail Engineering Works' pay-roll from the Administration Block to various pay-out points within the complex. During the attack two security guards were slightly wounded by shots from a sawn-off shotgun. The robbers then headed towards the main exit of the Works.
Mr. Kennedy, who was the security officer on duty at the main gate, heard the shots and knowing that the criminals were armed stood in the gateway in an attempt to prevent their escape. He tackled the first man and prevented him leaving the yard. The intruder was then released by his companions who attacked Mr. Kennedy and stunned him by hitting him about the head with the barrels of their shotguns.
At this point the raiders climbed into a van, which one of the gang had driven into position. Mr. Kennedy recovered consciousness and undeterred by his injuries, made another attempt to prevent the criminals' escape by running towards the front passenger door of the van. He was killed by two shots fired from the front passenger seat.
It was subsequently revealed that, in addition to the fatal injuries Mr. Kennedy had received two deeply lacerated wounds to the skull during the earlier attack.
On 12 November 1981, at Glasgow Central Rail Station, a British Rail electric locomotive no. 86242 was named "James Kennedy GC".