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".