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 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.

At 12.15 a.m. on 2 June 1944 a heavy freight train left Whitemoor marshalling yard, near March (in the Isle of Ely, now in Cambridgeshire).

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 general purpose 500 pounds (227 kg) bombs – a total weight of 9 long tons 16 cwt (22,000 lb or 10 t).

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.

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.

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.

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.

[3] A permanent memorial was unveiled on 2 June 2007 by Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester 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.