A NEW crest depicting a First World War ‘Tommy’ standing over the grave of a fallen comrade has been unveiled on the nameplate of new-build ‘Patriot’ No. 5551 The Unknown Warrior by Simon Weston CBE.
The unveiling took place during a special Armistice commemoration event at Crewe Heritage Centre on November 10, which also provided a first-time opportunity to see the LMS-Patriot Project loco in one piece following the temporary fitting of its boiler.
Rev Mike Roberts at Crewe Heritage Centre on November 10.
No. 5551 was lacking its cladding and valve gear, but still presented an impressive sight, having been paired with the Fowler tender belonging to the East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Crab’ 2-6-0 No. 13065.
Simon Weston, a Patron of the LMS-Patriot Project, was serving with the Welsh Guards at the time of the 1982 Falkland Islands conflict. He suffered life-changing burns and injuries on June 8 that year when the ship he was on, the Sir Galahad, was attacked by the Argentine air force.
Read more in the December issue of The RM – on sale now!
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