Staff Acts of Bravery on the Home Front during WWII
So many staff, both on and off-duty, displayed great courage during WWII. Using original material from the Corporate Archives collections we highlight just a few...
During WWII, there were displays of great heroism. Many London Passenger Transport Board (LPTB) staff were awarded the George Medal. Most of their acts of bravery were for rescuing civilians following bombing raids.
Two drivers receive medals following their actions in Sheffield following enemy action (1941-03)TfL Corporate Archives
Green Line driver Corporal Wisbey was awarded the George Medal, for working all night leading rescue parties freeing people from a bombed house
Sergeant Eldridge was awarded the British Empire Medal for putting out fire bombs and saving people trapped in wreckage
Article describing staff member's second award of a George Medal for bravery (1941-05)TfL Corporate Archives
Mr Ernest Price, a general hand from Middle Row garage rescued 3 women from the wreckage of building, without considering the real danger to his own life from the presence of gas
Article describing how a trolleybus conductor "tackled a bomb" (1944-03)TfL Corporate Archives
A fire bomb pierced the bedroom ceiling
This account describes how Mrs Rosa Temple rescued her husband from a fire bomb, drawing the admiration of her colleagues at Poplar Depot
G. Grimwood, who volunteered to enter a deep crater where an unexploded bomb had fallen (1941-03)TfL Corporate Archives
Lengthman G. Grimwood volunteered to enter a crater to assist with the disposal of an unexploded bomb. His bravery was recognised by an officer of the Royal Engineers disposal squad
First-hand account of an air raid shelter rescue by Inspector Hamlin (1940)TfL Corporate Archives
An off-duty London Transport Inspector arrived at Bank Station after it had been bombed in 1940 and helped to clear the platform of 1,000 survivors
Announcement of a new award for bravery (1942-03)TfL Corporate Archives
LPTB Award for Brave Conduct and Devotion to Duty
The LPTB were so proud of the selflessness and loyalty displayed by their staff both on and off duty that they instituted their own medal - The London Passenger Transport Award for Brave Conduct and Devotion to Duty during an enemy attack on London
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.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.