Staff Overseas Honours and Awards in WWII
Read some of the stories behind the 138 decorations for gallantry awarded to members of staff
Photograph of tram and trolleybus representatives who marched in the victory parade (1946-06-08)TfL Corporate Archives
138 members of staff were awarded decorations for gallantry or were mentioned in official dispatches in respect of active service with Her Majesty’s Forces during World War Two
First member of staff to be awarded the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry (1941-1943)TfL Corporate Archives
R.C. Alabaster: Distinguished Flying Cross (with bar)
Acting Wing Commander R.C. Alabaster, a clerk in the LTPB Solicitor's Office, was the first member of staff to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross (with bar), a gallantry medal ranked just below the Victoria Cross
In 1943, Alabaster's bomber was hit by a German fighter plane over Cologne. With an engine on fire he succeeded in hitting his target and returned to safety. He took part in many sorties including 2 raids on Berlin
Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Warrant Officer E. J. Ledwidge (1940-1944)TfL Corporate Archives
E.J. Ledwidge: Distinguished Flying Cross
Bus conductor at Watford High Street Garage, Warrant Officer Ledwidge's plane was hit repeatedly when his petrol tank caught on fire. "Flames spread rapidly and he was forces down to sea. But he boarded a dinghy and eight hours later drifted ashore - to fight another day."
J. J. E. Stapley Distinguished Service Medal: Able Seaman in the Navy and Underground car examiner J. J. E. Stapley received the award for courage during the assault on Anzio, Italy. Stapley was employed at East Ham Depot, having previously worked at Northfield Depot
Captain C.C Gomm shows Exceptional Leadership Fighting at the Anzio Beachhead in Italy (1944-11-01)TfL Corporate Archives
C. C. Gomm: Military Cross
Captain Gomm was awarded the Military Cross for showing exceptional leadership fighting at the Anzio Beach-head in Italy. In 1944, Captain Gomm, an assistant district superintendent of Country Buses at Reigate, led a platoon on a machine-gun nest where the enemy lost the post
A few days later and following the injury of the company commander, Gomm took the lead and was able to restore confidence in "shaken", "less-experienced" troops
In battle, Gomm sniped 3 enemy combatants and was awarded the Military Cross for great gallantry and leadership. During battle he was severely injured
Someone Took His Place and Saved Lives (1945-05-01) by London Passenger Transport BoardTfL Corporate Archives
S. F. Merritt: Distinguished Flying Cross
Acton Works fitter Flying Officer S. F. Merritt, took over a damaged plane, diverting it behind allied lines after the wounded pilot and crew had baled out. Merritt later baled out before letting the plane fall to earth - he was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross
Lance Corporal E Howe receives the Croix de Guerre
The Hendon bus driver was awarded a French decoration for moving a lorry stuck on rail tracks into a siding just as a train was approaching, averting a tragedy
Article describing a staff member's Military Medal award (1940-08)TfL Corporate Archives
C. T. Ward: Military Medal
Despite being wounded in a bombing, trolleybus driver at Walhamstow Depot, Sergeant C.T. Ward remained in command of his unit until the all clear was sounded. For this bravery he was awarded a Military Medal
Sergeant Albert G. Rayner awarded Military Medal for gallantry and courageous leadership (1943-10)TfL Corporate Archives
Albert G. Rayner: Military Medal
London Transport Building Department painter Sergeant Albert G. Rayner awarded Military Medal for his gallantry and courageous leadership in Tunisia. Sergeant Rayner took over a platoon when its commander was killed and secured its objective under heavy fire
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.
