Benjamin Gimbert
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Gimbert GC
(6 February 1903 – 6 May 1976), an engine driver with the LNER was awarded the George Cross
, as was his fireman James Nightall
, whose award was posthumous, for saving an ammunition train from a fire on 2 June 1944 during the Soham rail disaster
.
The citation for the awards read:
On 28 September 1981 two Class 47 locomotives were named in honour of the two railwaymen: No. 47577 was named "Benjamin Gimbert, GC" and No. 47579 "James Nightall, GC".
The nameplate "Benjamin Gimbert G.C" was transferred to 47 574 in July 1987 at Stratford depot. It remained on this locomotive for 10 years. (Encyclopedia of Modern Traction Names - Colin J Marsden). On 2 June 2004 new "Benjamin Gimbert G.C" nameplates were applied to 66 077 at Whitemoor yard (March
) (Railway Magazine Aug 2004 p68).
Gimbert's medals are displayed in March Museum alongside some shrapnel removed from his body.
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
(6 February 1903 – 6 May 1976), an engine driver with the LNER was awarded the George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
, as was his fireman James Nightall
James William Nightall
Railwayman James William Nightall was posthumously awarded the George Cross for the gallantry he showed during the Soham rail disaster. Nightall was an LNER Fireman on a fifty-one wagon ammunition train train driven by Benjamin Gimbert. When a wagon caught fire he helped Gimbert to uncouple it...
, whose award was posthumous, for saving an ammunition train from a fire on 2 June 1944 during the Soham rail disaster
Soham rail disaster
The Soham rail disaster occurred on 2 June 1944, during the Second World War, when a fire developed on the leading wagon of a heavy ammunition train. The wagon contained a quantity of high explosive bombs. The train crew had detached the wagon from the rest of the train and were drawing it away...
.
The citation for the awards read:
As an ammunition train was pulling into a station in Cambridgeshire, the driver, Gimbert, discovered that the wagon next to the engine was on fire. He immediately drew Nightall's attention to the fire and brought the train to a standstill. By the time the train had stopped the whole of the truck was enveloped in flames and, realising the danger, the driver instructed the fireman to try to uncouple the truck immediately behind the blazing vehicle. Without the slightest hesitation Nightall, although he knew that the truck contained explosives, uncoupled the vehicle and rejoined his driver on the footplate.
The blazing van was close to the station buildings and was obviously liable to endanger life in the village. The driver and fireman realised that it was essential to separate the truck from the remainder of the train and run it into the open. Driver Gimbert set the engine in motion and as he approached a signal box he warned the signalman to stop any trains which were likely to be involved and indicated what he intended to do. Almost immediately the vehicle blew up. Nightall was killed and Gimbert was very severely injured.
Gimbert and Nightall were fully aware of the contents of the wagon which was on fire and displayed outstanding courage and resource in endeavouring to isolate it. When they discovered that the wagon was on fire they could easily have left the train and sought shelter, but realising that if they did not remove the burning vehicle the whole of the train, which consisted of 51 wagons of explosives, would have blown up, they risked their lives in order to minimise the effect of the fire. There is no doubt that if the whole train had been involved, as it would have been but for the gallant action of the men concerned, there would have been serious loss of life and property.
On 28 September 1981 two Class 47 locomotives were named in honour of the two railwaymen: No. 47577 was named "Benjamin Gimbert, GC" and No. 47579 "James Nightall, GC".
The nameplate "Benjamin Gimbert G.C" was transferred to 47 574 in July 1987 at Stratford depot. It remained on this locomotive for 10 years. (Encyclopedia of Modern Traction Names - Colin J Marsden). On 2 June 2004 new "Benjamin Gimbert G.C" nameplates were applied to 66 077 at Whitemoor yard (March
March, Cambridgeshire
March is a Fenland market town and civil parish in the Isle of Ely area of Cambridgeshire, England. March was the county town of the Isle of Ely, a separate administrative county between 1889 and 1965, and is now the administrative centre of Fenland District Council.The town was an important...
) (Railway Magazine Aug 2004 p68).
Gimbert's medals are displayed in March Museum alongside some shrapnel removed from his body.
External links
See also
- John AxonJohn AxonJohn Axon GC was an English train driver from Stockport who died while trying to stop a runaway freight train on a 1 in 58 gradient near Buxton in Derbyshire after a brake failure. The train consisted of an ex-LMS Stanier Class 8F 2-8-0 No...
- Lists of rail accidents