Soham rail disaster
Encyclopedia
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 when the cargo exploded. The fireman of the train and the signalman at Soham signalbox were killed and several other people injured. The driver, Benjamin Gimbert
, and fireman, James Nightall, were both awarded the George Cross
for preventing further damage which would have occurred if the rest of the train had exploded.
. The train comprised WD Austerity 2-8-0
engine number W.D 7337, 51 wagons and brake van heading for Ipswich
. The cargo on the train consisted of 44 wagons containing a total weight of 400 tons of bombs and a further 7 wagons containing other components e.g. tail fins. On board the engine were 41 year old driver Benjamin Gimbert and 22 year old fireman James Nightall, the train guard was Herbert Clarke.
About 90 minutes later the train was approaching Soham station when the driver looked back to see flames coming from the leading wagon which contained 44 500 pounds (227 kg) general purpose bombs - a total weight of . Gimbert brought the train to a stop and, rather than running for safety, instructed Nightall to uncouple the first wagon from the rest of the train. Nightall managed this quickly although the fire was now quite serious. Gimbert started to draw the wagon away and had moved it about 140 yards and was still alongside the platforms at Soham station
when the bombs went off. A much more severe explosion was averted by the men's actions.
The resulting blast killed Nightall immediately and signalman Frank Bridges, who was on the opposite platform, died the next day. Gimbert though badly injured survived, Guard Clarke although stunned by the blast and suffering from shock managed to walk to the next signal box to warn the signalman there what had happened. Apart from these four men, five others suffered severe injuries and another 22 minor injuries. The explosion created a crater 66 feet (20.1 m) in diameter and 15 feet (4.6 m) deep, the station buildings were almost demolished and there was damage severe or moderate to over 700 properties within 900 yards.
Despite the severity of the explosion, emergency repairs meant that the line was open to freight traffic within eighteen hours and passenger traffic resumed the next day.
to both men. The citation for the awards read
followed by a service in St. Andrew's Church, Soham. The memorial is constructed of Portland Stone
with a bronze inlay depicting interpretive artwork of the damaged train as well as text detailing the incident.
Both Gimbert and Nightall have had Class 66
locomotives named after them.
Fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Slower oxidative processes like rusting or digestion are not included by this definition....
developed on the leading wagon of a heavy ammunition
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
. The wagon contained a quantity of high explosive bombs
Aerial bomb
An aerial bomb is a type of explosive weapon intended to travel through the air with predictable trajectories, usually designed to be dropped from an aircraft...
. The train crew had detached the wagon from the rest of the train and were drawing it away when the cargo exploded. The fireman of the train and the signalman at Soham signalbox were killed and several other people injured. The driver, Benjamin Gimbert
Benjamin Gimbert
Benjamin Gimbert GC , 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:As an ammunition train was...
, and fireman, James Nightall, were both 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...
for preventing further damage which would have occurred if the rest of the train had exploded.
Details
At 12.15 a.m. on 2 June 1944 a heavy freight train left Whitemoor marshalling yard, near in CambridgeshireCambridgeshire
Cambridgeshire is a county in England, bordering Lincolnshire to the north, Norfolk to the northeast, Suffolk to the east, Essex and Hertfordshire to the south, and Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire to the west...
. The train comprised WD Austerity 2-8-0
WD Austerity 2-8-0
The War Department "Austerity" 2-8-0 is a type of heavy freight steam locomotive that was introduced in 1943 for war service. A total of 935 were built.- Overview :...
engine number W.D 7337, 51 wagons and brake van heading for Ipswich
Ipswich
Ipswich is a large town and a non-metropolitan district. It is the county town of Suffolk, England. Ipswich is located on the estuary of the River Orwell...
. The cargo on the train consisted of 44 wagons containing a total weight of 400 tons of bombs and a further 7 wagons containing other components e.g. tail fins. On board the engine were 41 year old driver Benjamin Gimbert and 22 year old fireman James Nightall, the train guard was Herbert Clarke.
About 90 minutes later the train was approaching Soham station when the driver looked back to see flames coming from the leading wagon which contained 44 500 pounds (227 kg) general purpose bombs - a total weight of . Gimbert brought the train to a stop and, rather than running for safety, instructed Nightall to uncouple the first wagon from the rest of the train. Nightall managed this quickly although the fire was now quite serious. Gimbert started to draw the wagon away and had moved it about 140 yards and was still alongside the platforms at Soham station
Soham railway station
Soham railway station was opened on 1 September 1879 on the Ely to Newmarket line and served the town of Soham in Cambridgeshire.The station was destroyed on 2 June 1944, when a munitions train caught fire and blew up, killing two and damaging over seven hundred buildings...
when the bombs went off. A much more severe explosion was averted by the men's actions.
The resulting blast killed Nightall immediately and signalman Frank Bridges, who was on the opposite platform, died the next day. Gimbert though badly injured survived, Guard Clarke although stunned by the blast and suffering from shock managed to walk to the next signal box to warn the signalman there what had happened. Apart from these four men, five others suffered severe injuries and another 22 minor injuries. The explosion created a crater 66 feet (20.1 m) in diameter and 15 feet (4.6 m) deep, the station buildings were almost demolished and there was damage severe or moderate to over 700 properties within 900 yards.
Despite the severity of the explosion, emergency repairs meant that the line was open to freight traffic within eighteen hours and passenger traffic resumed the next day.
Cause
The cause of the fire was never fully explained. The wagon had previously been used to carry a load of bulk sulphur powder and although it would have been cleaned in between loads, the possibility remained that some of the powder remained. Although the wagon was sheeted, the theory advanced was that a cinder from the engine had landed in the wagon and had ignited some sulphur which in turn set alight the wooden body of the wagon.Aftermath
Although this was still a sizeable explosion the effect and damage was little compared to what would have happened if the entire train load of bombs had exploded. The conduct of the driver and fireman in attempting, and succeeding, in reducing the result of the incident was recognised by the award in July 1944 of the George CrossGeorge 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...
to both men. 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.
Memorial
A permanent memorial was unveiled on Saturday 2 June 2007 by HRH Prince Richard, Duke of GloucesterPrince Richard, Duke of Gloucester
Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester is a member of the British Royal Family. Prince Richard is the youngest grandchild of King George V and Queen Mary. He has been Duke of Gloucester since his father's death in 1974. He is currently 20th in the line of succession...
followed by a service in St. Andrew's Church, Soham. The memorial is constructed of Portland Stone
Portland stone
Portland stone is a limestone from the Tithonian stage of the Jurassic period quarried on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. The quarries consist of beds of white-grey limestone separated by chert beds. It has been used extensively as a building stone throughout the British Isles, notably in major...
with a bronze inlay depicting interpretive artwork of the damaged train as well as text detailing the incident.
Both Gimbert and Nightall have had Class 66
British Rail Class 66
The Class 66 is a six axle diesel electric freight locomotive developed in part from the British Rail Class 59, for use on the railways of the UK. Since its introduction the class has been successful and has been sold to British and other European railway companies...
locomotives named after them.