George Cross and L.N.E.R. Medal
Aged 22
Killed in the explosion of the ammunition train
on Friday 2nd June 1944
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James William NIGHTALL was born in The Hythe, Littleport on 20th May 1922. (Ely Q2-1922 3B:859), baptised in Littleport on 25th June 1922, son of Walter and Alice Susan NIGHTALL (née BARBER). The family name is sometimes KNIGHTALL.
In the 1939 register, James, single, was a poultryman, living at 15 The Hythe, Littleport with his parents, Walter NIGHTALL [4-11-1998] a farm labourer and Alice S [19-9-1891 and his widowed grandmother Ruth BARBER [24-2-1871]. The address at probate was 100 Road, March. |
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The full story of the events of 2nd June 1944 can be seen here The citation for the George Cross awards was :- 25th July 1944 :-The KING has been graciously pleased to award the GEORGE CROSS to :- Benjamin Gimbert, Driver (March), London and North Eastern Railway Company. James William Nightall (deceased), Fireman (March),London and North Eastern Railway Company. 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, realizing 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 realized 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 realizing 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 minimize 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. They were also awarded the London and North Eastern Railway Company's Silver Medal for Courage and Resource of which only 22 were ever awarded. One point to consider..the explosion took place at 1:43 am, and even with the primitive machines of that time, the railway line was open to traffic the same day. Today it would probably take days to gather forensic evidence even before any attempt was made to repair the damage.
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