An outstanding Second War George Medal awarded to Mr. Archibald Cook, an Engine Driver with...

An outstanding Second War George Medal awarded to Mr. Archibald Cook, an Engine Driver with the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company, for his gallantry during an enemy air raid near Duddeston, Birmingham, on 30 July 1942, when incendiary bombs set fire to his train which was carrying high explosives - although wounded by a splinter shell, he succeeded in uncoupling the carriages on fire before driving the rest of the train to safety, all the while ‘fully aware of the danger from the explosives to which he was exposed’

George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Archibald Cook) on original investiture pin; together with the recipient’s silver pocket watch, on silver fob chain, the Watch somewhat worn but in apparent working condition; the Medal toned and extremely fine £4,000-£5,000

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G.M. London Gazette 18 December 1942: Archibald Cook, Engine Driver, London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company (in a joint citation with George Herbert Simkiss, Fireman, London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company [also awarded the George Medal]; and Richard Edward Barrett, Kitchen Porter, Birmingham; George Carter, Warden, Civil Defence Wardens Service, Birmingham; William Eric Deakin, Machinist, Birmingham; and Henry Jacob Harrison, Length Ganger, London, Midland and Scottish Railway Company [all awarded the British Empire Medal])
‘Incendiary bombs set fire to a train which was carrying high explosives. Driver Cook brought it to a standstill but could not extinguish the flames. He decided to isolate the burning van and, with the help of Simkiss, uncoupled it and drew the front portion of the train forward. It was then found that a second vehicle in the rear portion was on fire and Simkiss isolated this also.
Carter, Deakin and Barrett, although they were warned of the contents of the wagons and understood the danger, rendered every possible assistance to prevent the fire from spreading. It was eventually brought under control by the N.F.S., and it was then found that boxes of explosive would have to be unloaded. Carter and Deakin helped to pull open the door of one of the vans. As it opened, flames and smoke were emitted from the interior of the truck and Carter, Deakin and Barrett sustained burns to the face and eyes, and all three had to go to a first aid post.
Ganger Harrison entered another van and threw out boxes on to the line. Whilst so doing, one of these fell and pinned him down by the leg but, with help, he freed himself and continued to work until the van was emptied. The lines were blocked with heaped up boxes of explosive and Harrison, though wet through by water from the hoses and suffering from an injured leg and burnt hands, continued to work alone for thirteen hours to clear the lines and allow traffic to proceed.
All the men showed great courage and devotion to duty. Enemy aircraft were operating, a heavy anti-aircraft barrage was in progress at the time and the men were fully aware of the danger from the explosives to which they were exposed.’

The original Recommendation adds some additional information:
‘At about 1.45am Thursday, 30th July 1942 an air raid took place while a freight train, with Driver Archibald Cook, Fireman George H. Simkiss and Guard James Reynolds onboard arrived in the goods yard with a load of TNT in 27 wagons and 23 other wagons. Proceeding from Bordesley Junction towards Lawley Street sidings on a journey form Gloucester to Crewe, and shortly after passing Coventry Road Bridge two wagons were struck by incendiary bombs. Fires were caused in these wagons, which were loaded with TNT in boxes of about 50lb per box. The fires were noticed by the driver on the signal at St Andrews signal box, being found to be against the train. The guard, obeying instructions left the train to inform the signal box at Bordesley Junction to inform trains arriving from that direction. The fireman informed the signal box at St Andrews for the same purpose in advising trains from the other direction. The driver, fireman and guard, assisted by the signalmen, then commenced to uncouple the blazing trucks from the main portion of the train.
Civil Defence Warden Carter arrived on the scene almost at once, also the youths W. A. Deakin and R. E. Barratt and although they were warned of the contents of the wagon and understood the danger they remained and rendered every possible assistance. They extinguished fires on the embankment which were caused by fragments thrown from the burning trucks. Carter climbed on to the trucks and did all possible until the arrival of the firemen. It was decided to endeavour to save some of the contents and the seal of one of the vans was broken. Carter and Deakin helped to pull open the door. As it opened, flames and smoke were emitted from the interior of the trucks and Carter sustained burns to the face and eyes. Deakin and Barratt also sustained slight burns to the eyes and all three required treatment at a first aid post. All present helped in removing boxes of burning TNT from the vans.
The works fire service from the New Hudson Works, Garrison Lane arrived and did all they could to hold the fires in check until the arrival of the regular National Fire Service units under D. O. Peters, Bordesley Green and Section Leader Gregory, Station 2.Y.
All the members of the services assisted in removing boxes of burning TNT from the vans on the fire being sufficiently controlled to enable damping down to take place. During this time the air raid continued and there was heavy anti-aircraft barrage.’ (Heroes of the Birmingham Air Raids, by Michael Minton refers).

Heroes of Road and Rail, By George C Curnock, gives further details:
‘Driver Archibald Cook, with a train-load of munitions behind him, 600 tons of high explosives packed in 50 freight vans, was making all the speed he could to reach an ordnance depot during the night, when he found the signal outside a large town against him. Already he had watched the fall of incendiaries and the bursting of AA shells.
George Simkiss, his fireman, climbed down from the footplate and was halfway to the signal box to find out why the train had been stopped, when Cook called him back.
“The so-and-so’s have fired the train” bellowed the driver. One van was already alight. Both men did their best to put out the fire. It was too much for them. They did the next best thing. Uncoupling this van, Cook sent Simkiss to look for help, and then pulled the front part of the train clear of it with all the steam he could crowd on.
“Then I ran back” he says. “The blighters had got us again. Simkiss uncoupled once more, and I pulled another section to safety.” All this time the raiders were busy overhead and Cook had already had an ankle injured by a shell splinter while running up and down the track.
While this was going on and one van already bursting with small explosions, Ganger Henry Harrison arrived with three Home Defence workers, two only 17 years old. Cook’s advice to the youths was: “Clear out. This is our job. There's enough here to blow you as high as a plane”
The three young defenders stayed and helped to open a burning van. Flames burned their faces. Ganger Harrison told them to “get to hell out of here”, but, as Cook later stated “he might as well have asked Jerry to stop slinging down bombs. They carried on as calmly as if they were cleaning the kitchen table”. So he left them to help the National Fire Service, now at the scene of action, and turned to the task of heaving heavy boxes of explosive out of another wagon on the line, and then to clearing the line after the danger was passed, despite burned hands and soaked clothes.’

Archibald Cook was born in Duddeston, Aston, Birmingham, on 19 January 1905...