Heroic Acts of Our Staff Overseas in WWII
Here we highlight some of the courageous actions taken by staff overseas during WWII
An officer and soldiers from the 84th (LT) AA (Anti-Aircraft) Regiment (1939-08-18) by Topical PressLondon Transport Museum
From a Forest Gate bus driver saving American Airmen in the sea, to a Baker Street station office messenger escaping a prisoner of war camp and living in caves. Here are some of the heroic acts undertaken by London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) staff during World War II
Bus driver saves four American airmen from the sea
With a "total disregard for personal safety", Bombardier A. G. Littleton, a bus driver at Forest Gate, saves U.S airmen as they crashed into a rocky part of the North African sea in 1943
"High Tension Sailor" has many adventures
High tension cable leading hand Stoker C. G. Butler rescued troops from torpedoed French and Norwegian ships, destroyed German batteries in Trondheim, shelled tanks in Syria, and fought in the Battle of Java, Indonesia. These were "only parts... of the stoker's adventures"
Article describing the battlefield heroics of a deceased Permanent Way lengthman (1945-04)TfL Corporate Archives
Battlefield heroics of a Permanent Way lengthman
Not only did Corporal J. E. Hatch drive off an enemy patrol, but he also allowed for a surprise assault on the enemy. Unfortunately, he died as a result of his injuries in this effort
Gunner George Payne hides in caves from the Germans after escaping prisoner of war camp (1939-1944)TfL Corporate Archives
Baker Street station office messenger hides in caves
Account from London Transport Anti-Aircraft Gunner George Payne. In a “game” of hide-and-seek that lasted months, a group of allied soldiers climbed into the hills and hid in caves to avoid German capture after escaping from a prisoner of war camp
George and the allied soldiers spent 2 months hiding in a cave. With a "Jerry" hot on their tail, the men would move on to another hiding spot. They were joined at one point by a German deserter who also served as their porter
Read further stories about LPTB staff overseas in WW2
Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.
This story has been enhanced using some images from LIFE Photo Collection. All enquiries regarding these images should be made directly to that institution.
