Wally Oakes

Class 86 electric Locomotive 86260 named after Driver Wallace Oakes G.C.

Wallace Arnold Oakes GC (23 April 1932 – 12 June 1965), known as Wally Oakes,[1] was a train driver with British Railways who was born in Barbridge, Cheshire[2] and lived at Wheelock Heath, Sandbach, Cheshire.

1965 train accident

On 5 June 1965 he was the driver in charge of a relief train when at about seven miles from Crewe the fire suddenly blew back from the firebox of a BR Standard Class 7 steam locomotive No. 70051 Firth Of Forth, filling the cab with smoke and flames. Fireman Gwilym Roberts managed to climb out of the cab window and extinguish his clothing by rubbing against the plating, but Oakes stayed at his post to close the regulator, open the blower, and apply the brake.[3][4]

Roberts found his mate lying on the embankment next to the train, badly burned, but evidently having remained in the cab until the train stopped. Oakes suffered burns to approximately 80% of his body. The pain was such that he had to be suspended above his hospital bed and given large doses of morphine. A week after the accident, he died from his injuries.

Awards

For his gallantry in ensuring the safety of his passengers, Oakes was posthumously awarded the George Cross on 19 October 1965.[5] On 19 February 1981, Class 86 electric locomotive no. 86260 was named Driver Wallace Oakes GC. A memorial plaque in the offices above Crewe station reads:[6]

IN COMMEMORATION OF DRIVER W A OAKES, AGED 33 YRS,

WHO THROUGH DEVOTION TO DUTY RECEIVED FATAL BURNS AT WINSFORD
WHILST WORKING THE 2/5 PM EXPRESS CREWE TO CARLISLE ENGINE No 70051
DATE 5th JUNE 1965 FROM HIS FELLOW WORKMATES CREWE MOTIVE POWER DEPT.

References

  1. ↑ Michael Ashcroft, George Cross Heroes, 2010
  2. ↑ Latham FA, ed. Acton, pp. 58–59 (The Local History Group; 1995) (ISBN 0 9522284 1 6)
  3. ↑ Simon Albert, "Railman was awarded George Cross", Winsford Guardian, Friday 11 April 2008
  4. ↑ "Train driver remembered in service", Crewe Chronicle, 27 June 2007
  5. ↑ Anon. G.C. awarded to dead engine driver: gave life to stop train. The Times, p. 8 (20 October 1965)
  6. ↑ "Memorial to driver W A OAKES, Crewe Railway Station" at www.carlscam.com, retrieved 8 Jan 2011

External links

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