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

Bombardier A. G. Littleton recognised by King George VI for his gallantry and distinguished service (1943)TfL Corporate Archives

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

Stoker C. G. Butler reports on his exploits on the destroyer H.M.S. Isis (1939-1942)TfL Corporate Archives

"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

Credits: Story

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.  

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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