Friends of the Rail Forum

The George Cross, the UK’s highest civilian honour, was awarded posthumously to train driver Wallace “Wally” Oakes who stayed aboard a burning locomotive cab on June 5, 1965, saving the lives of hundreds of passengers on the West Coast Mainline at Winsford, outside Crewe.

A severe blowback from the engine filled the cabin with smoke and flames, severely burning Mr Oakes, but he remained at the controls while the engine was on fire and stopped the train.

He received 80 per cent burns and later died of his injuries...