Anyone passing through Bridlington railway station may notice a new poster charting the life-saving actions of humble ticket collector Ernest Barker during the Second World War.
Richard, along with Northern – the train operator, and the Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership will honour courageous ticket collector Ernest Barker with the prestigious plaque.
Thanks to the work of Bridlington historian and author Richard Jones, a plaque unveiling ceremony will take place 82 years to the day of the dramatic event.
Tuesday 11 July, 2023 will see the official unveiling ceremony of a blue plaque at Bridlington Railway Station and vistors are welcome to attend and witness the historic ceremony.
On July 11, 1941, an unexpected raid by a German bomber caused devastation on Hilderthorpe Road which resulted in the loss of five lives at a bus stop, and just a few hundred yards away, another bomb struck Bridlington railway station yard, resulting in a fire on a train carrying large amounts of ammunition.
Most people would have thought of leaving the station, yet Ernest ran towards the danger and fought the blaze while his colleagues worked on other fires nearby.
Thanks to his bravery, the train did not explode and the fire was extinguished, saving many lives.
Ernest became one of the first people in the country to receive the George Medal on January 24, 1941, yet his grave in Bridlington Cemetery makes no mention of his heroic act or the medal.
Local historian Richard Jones is now hoping to finally recognise Ernest’s incredible bravery by putting up a poster at Bridlington Railway Station with the support of Northern Rail.
Richard explained: “That train could have blown up and killed Ernest and many others at any second, yet his selfless act of courage prevented a huge disaster.
“We have put this poster up in the hope Ernest’s relatives come forward to tell the story of what he did and allow me to write about his life in a book on wartime Bridlington.”
“It is clear that Ernest’s act of bravery often goes unrecognized and overshadowed by the more celebrated Bridlington resident Thomas Alderson, an air raid warden who, on three occasions, led rescue teams and entered dangerous buildings to save trapped civilians.
“It is time that we finally recognize the incredible bravery of this unsung East Yorkshire hero.” added Richard.
