New blue plaques that pay tribute to railway workers who performed acts of heroism at Bridlington in World War Two have been erected at Bridlington railway station.
Train operator Northern with the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership decided to erect the plaques after local historian Richard Jones discovered the story of Arthur Harrison and George Whitehurst.
The two railway workers were responsible for saving countless lives when a bomb hit Bridlington railway yard and caused a railway wagon full of ammunition to be set alight.
Bridlington railway station already had a plaque honouring the efforts of courageous ticket collector Ernest Barker during the fire, but new research has shown that these two other railway men were also alongside him fighting the fire.
The unveiling ceremony at Bridlington station was attended by representatives from Northern and members of the local community including the British Legion, Network Rail, and the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership.
The fire occurred on 11th July 1940 when an unexpected raid by a German bomber caused devastation in nearby Hilderthorpe Road and killed five people as blasts destroyed buildings.
Just a few hundred yards away from Hilderthorpe Road another bomb came close to causing more devastation when it fell on the yard at Bridlington railway station, causing a fire to break out on a railway wagon full of ammunition.
The railway workers ran to the scene, where they fought and extinguished the blaze, saving the lives of many people in nearby buildings.
They were later recognised by becoming some of the first people to receive the newly created George Medal.
Kerry Peters, regional director at Northern said: “We are so pleased to be able to pay tribute to these local heroes and the heritage of Bridlington station. A special thank you to historian Richard Jones for his tireless research.
“I’d like to thank everyone for attending the event and we are delighted to be a part of this community project.”
Responses
This is fantastic news and well deserved for their heroic efforts. Congratulations to all. May I assume that a similar accolade will follow from Northern for the two railmen who decoupled a burning wagon of sea mines and, at great and fatal risk, towed it to the cutting where it exploded causing damage to property and the railway. Railway damage was minimal
Just a 30 foot wide and 20 foot deep crater but the line reopened inside a day.
It would be great if a clear photograph of the memorial could be sent to the Imperial War Museum War Memorials Register to improve their database of war memorials. They have a team of volunteers who will transcribe the details and any names that are listed.