A plaque on platform one of Lime Street Station commemorates two railway workers fromthe Edge Hill depot who died following an accident, having first ensured the safety of all passengers.
On 20th May 1937 sixty year old Joseph Ball was driving the 1040 Euston to Liverpool express train, accompanied by fireman Cormack Higgins. Just a few minutes into the journey, as the train was passing through the Primrose Hill tunnel, the smokebox deflector plate slipped causing a blowback which turned their cab into a furnace. The two men managed to bring the train to a stop three miles later at Willesden where they were taken to hospital with severe burns. The service itself actually continued the journey to Liverpool with a replacement engine and crew.
The men were described as comfortable by the hospital that evening, but their condition deteriorated and they both died the following week. The inquest into the deaths took place at Middlesex County Hospital on 31st May and heard how the deflector plate had not been properly fitted. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death, adding that the bravery of the men in bringing the train to a safe stop had avoided a serious accident. For doing this, recommendation was made to the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust for gallantry so that financial assistance could be given to their dependants.
Both men lived near the depot, Ball in Northdale Road and Higgins in Longfellow Street. On 6th June a memorial service in remembrance was held at St Mary’s Church in Edge Hill, attended by 2,000 mourners, many of whom listened to the service being relayed on loudspeakers. 500 railway workers were present, being led to the church by their band. The vicar said in tribute ‘I feel the public realises all too little what immense risks and sacrifices must be made day after day in order that the public services may be maintained.
The plaque that is now at Lime Street was at first placed in the lobby of the Edge Hill depot but when that closed in 1968 it was moved to Lime Street, where it can now be seen at the bottom end of platform one.
luke lewis says
he was my great grandad
Steven Horton says
Avery brave man Luke you must be very proud of him
Bernadette Cheal says
I suspect the one thing that unites our scattered family is pride in our grandfather Cormack …. the Silver King. He had that nickname because he had a full head of white/silver hair.
Russell Gregory says
He was my granddad. My sister Carole McKinney named her eldest son Cormack McKinney after him. My mom followed her brother Sydney to California, where my mom met my dad and where we were born. My mom was one of four sisters: Irene, Mary, June and Elizabeth Higgins.
James Higgins says
Thank you for taking the time to research and write this. This is my grandfather, and I know so little about him. This article means so much to me and our family!
Bernadette Cheal says
Hi there James, Cormack was my grandfather as well. I am very proud of him as I am my father, who was in the S.A.S. in WWII.
Russ Gregory says
Fireman Cormack Higgins is my grandfather. He was one of only a few survivors in a submarine that was sunk in WW1. He Had Cormack; George( went by Oscar;) Sydney; Irene; my mum Mary; June; Kenny; Connie Francis was born after he passed. He had an elder sister named Elizabeth Higgins who’s married name was Elizabeth Lewis . I have photos of my mum with my aunt Rene next to the Lime St. plaque, and in front of his grave. I also have photos of the entire railroad staff officials at the ceremony for the televised moving of the plaque from Edge Hill Station to the new location at Lime Street . Fosten Hall was the name of the orphanage that Rene, my mum Mary, and Kenny were sent to in Darby. The elder boys went off to fight in WW2. Oscar was hand picked by Winston Churchill for special ops, and escaped after capture by the Germans. Sydney piloted bombers out of Canada, later flying commercially. This trajic locomotive accident had far-reaching repercussions on his family who unfortunately were never again to re-unite.
Bernadette Cheal says
Hi there Russ, Cormack was my grandfather as well. I am very proud of him as I am my father, who was in the S.A.S. in WWII.
Russ Gregory says
June was also sent to the orphanage.
Russ Gregory says
Rene and her Husband Stanley Robinson, also of Liverpool, watched the Beatles perform when they first started . They have a Son Keith of Liverpool, and two daughters, Julie, and Kate. The two daughters work together in a music video production company , and have worked with Paul McCartney.
Colin ager says
Hi russ Cormack was my grandfather, I’m June’s youngest son Colin, Ager that is the most information I have ever read about him thank you, do you have any photos or outher information ,
BARRY CHEAL says
Hi I’m the husband of Bernie( Bernadette) the daughter of George(Oscar ) Higgins whose sister was Rene. We know Julie and Kate as they are Bernie’s cousins. Our son Chris also has the middle name Cormack and although I knew about the plaque and have done research before I have found out much more from here than ever before. Bernie will be thrilled I know.
Bernadette Cheal says
Hi there, thank you so much Steven Horton for research into my grandfather. Cormack Higgins also known as the ‘silver king’. My father was Oscar Higgins, known as Oscar, because after this tragic incident he as adopted by George and Nellie O’Brien at the Abercromby Vaults in Liverpool, as they already had two Georges, they decided to call my dad Oscar. I am Bernadette Cheal (nee Higgins), my brother Daniel Higgins, unfortunately passed away, as have both of my parents George and Margaret Higgins. The incident you researched scattered my dad’s family and I knew very few of my relatives on my dad’s side of the family. It is so wonderful to read so many responses and see so many of my unknown relations. Our son by the way is called Christopher Cormack Cheal, so we are keeping the family tradition going. I would love to hear from my relations, and when we stop working abroad (we are currently in Moscow), would love to meet up with them.
Bernadette Cheal says
I forgot to say, my brother’s name was Daniel Cormack Higgins