Hello I’m researching Vera Barbara Martin who died on the 16 August 1944, aged 19, at the Railway Bridge, Oak Lane, Upchurch, Kent. Her death certificate gives the information that she was in the 27th Battalion AckAck Division and that her death was due to war operations. She is buried as SS. Peter and Paul Churchyard, Shoreham. Casualty Details | CWGC I’ve search the newspapers but can only find one incident at that location; V2 rocket came down, landing just underneath the bridge and an oncoming train failed to stop in time, causing many deaths and injuries. My query is, would Vera have been an unlucky passenger on the train and is there any way that I can find out more? Thanks Jennie
"Vera was killed instantly when the train hit an obstruction on the rails and crashed where the track crosses a single span bridge over a deep sunken road. The train was travelling at 60 mph." Altogether 9 lives lost, Vera was travelling with her sister, L/Cpl Gwen Martin, ATS, Gwen survived with shock and bruises. The report does not mention a rocket, just an obstruction, but I wonder, was not unusual to fail to mention enemy action in newspapers.
Thank you so much for that, it’s just what I needed to know, I can tell her niece exactly what happened now. Many thanks.
Ps) the locals called the temporary replacement bridge “Doodlebug Bridge” according to the newspapers.
Article on the crash from a Rainham local history site. The Upchurch Railway Train Crash Disaster of August 1944 The photo below is from the same source. This other link contains more detail on Vera & her sister's role in the WRAF. Upchurch Train Crash 1944 UPDATE + list updated 13/2/2015.
Crikey! The pilot managed to flip it over, that is amazing; such skill and bravery. The photo says it all, doesn’t it. Thank you very much indeed.
Oh my gosh! Photographs!! Absolutely marvellous! Wow. Blown away with that, thank,you so much. I’m still a novice searching the newspaper archives, I was pleased at finding a mention of the bridge. Thank you so very much for your time, everyone, Brilliant result, so glad I asked.
Oh my gosh, that could be my cousin looking at me, the family resemblance is uncanny. Thank you for this. It’s incredible.