Auction Catalogue: Great Central Railwayana, 2 September 2017

	Lot 25
	The George Cross, awarded posthumously to Driver Wallace Oakes. On 5th June 1965 Driver Oakes was on the footplate of Britannia Class locomotive 70051, Firth of Forth, with a Euston to Carlisle relief train. Approaching Winsford at 55 mph a severe blowback occurred, enveloping the cab in smoke and flames. With complete disregard for his own safety, Oakes remained at the controls and brought the train to a halt. He suffered severe burns and died a week later from his injuries. The medal was introduced by King George VI and is the highest civilian honour. Driver Oakes was the fifth of six railwayman to receive the George Cross, three being awarded during the war, while Wallace Oakes and John Axon were more recent recipients (during the final decade of the steam era), the last was to James Kennedy in 1975. The lot includes the associated bronze Carnegie Medal, for heroic endeavour to save human life, also the framed Citation from British Railways. Both medals are contained in their original cases. (3)
	This lot sold for £60000.

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