Hunt for relatives of Dorridge crash footplate crew, as plans for memorial plaque are announced

The Western Locomotive Association and ASLEF are planning to install a plaque at Dorridge station, to commemorate the three footplate men killed at the station when their train struck a car train being shunted on 15 August 1963. In preparation for the ceremony, they are seeking relatives of the three men so that they may partake in the unveiling.

The three men were Drivers Ernie Morris and Sid Bench, along with second man David Corkery – all onboard D1040 “Western Queen”, heading the Birmingham Pullman between Birmingham Snow Hill and London Paddington.

The collision was caused by the Knowle & Dorridge signal man forgetting he had accepted the express from Bentley Heath Crossing signal box and , instead of clearing his signals decided to shunt a car train – giving insufficient braking distance for the express. The rules stated that that the Knowle & Dorridge signal man could not give a full line clear to Bentley Heath Crossing until he had first received line clear from Lapworth signal box. It was also required of him to lower his two distant signals as soon as Bentley Heath had cleared his home and starting signals. The Knowle & Dorridge signal man failed to carry out these duties.

Picture of the Western Locomotive Association's D1062 “Western Courier”. https://www.flickr.com/photos/190687851@N02/53662898188/in/photolist-2pL1o3D-2pLvMxt-2poD3Rm-2psDxsq-2pL1o3y-2pVvsUn

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