The LNER Encyclopedia

Today is the 69th anniversary of Driver Ben Gimbert and his fireman Jim Nightall exhibiting extreme courage in the course of their duty and saving the town of Soham from almost total destruction by an imminent explosion on the ammunition train they were working.

Nightall lost his life but Gimbert, although very seriously injured, survived. Both were awarded the George Cross and many years later had class 47 locos named after them.

It would be very appropriate for us all to reflect on their bravery and the way in which they handled the emergency with typical railwayman's sang froid as just part of the job.

Acts of heroism like theirs make me proud to say "I'm a railwayman".

Now I may be mistaken but I recollect in reading one report that the Signalman was also pretty heroic, but he doesn't seem to get any recognition. Remarkable, selfless people.

In due course Soham signalbox is due to placed at Kimberley Park on the Mid Norfolk Railway. It is proposed to have a memorial to all the victims of the terrible accident but will focus on Signalman Frank Bridges.

R. pike wrote:In due course Soham signalbox is due to placed at Kimberley Park on the Mid Norfolk Railway. It is proposed to have a memorial to all the victims of the terrible accident but will focus on Signalman Frank Bridges.

The wagon blew up just as Gimbert was shouting to signalman Frank Bridges, who was on the opposite platform, telling him what he was about to do (take the blazing wagon out into open country and abandon it) and also telling him to put all his signals to danger to protect any oncoming trains.

Bridges took the full force of the blast and died from his injuries the next day. Neither he nor the Guard, Herbert Clarke, were nominated for a GC.

Gimbert received his for calmly masterminding a way of saving Soham from almost complete destruction if the whole train had exploded (he even had the composure to tell Nightall to take a hammer and a fire iron with him before he left the loco in case the wagon's coupling was too hot to touch). Nightall got his posthumously for unquestioningly following Gimbert's instructions regardless of his own personal safety.

All four of the railwaymen involved certainly behaved heroically, but Gimbert and Nightall more than the others, hence their GCs.

I'm pleased to hear that Frank Bridges is about to get belated recognition. That only leaves Herbert Clarke and justice will have been done.