47579 James Nightall G.C. Nameplate 16 August 1991

47579 was named James Nightall G.C. on 28 September 1981, to commemorate the fireman of a train of ammunition from Immingham, which caught fire near Soham on 2 June 1944. The quick thinking of the crew in uncoupling most of the 51 wagon train of bombs prevented a much worse disaster, although the explosion destroyed Soham station. The small plaque describes the event: One of two locomotives named after Driver B. Gimbert and Fireman J. Nightall of March who were awarded the George Cross for their action in saving the town of Soham from severe damage by a burning ammunition train on 2 June 1944. James Nightall was killed and Benjamin Gimbert received serious injuries. The nameplate was photographed at Cholsey on 16 August 1991.