Savernake Forest explosion memorial unveiled in Marlborough …

The memorial in New Road was unveiled on Sunday and commemorates those who died and those who stopped potentially one of the worst peacetime disasters in recent British history. Marlborough Mayor Cllr Lisa Farrell with the unveiled memorial. Photo: Trevor Porter 69790-23 (Image: Trevor Porter) Eight soldiers were killed when a munitions train carrying 200 tonnes of Second World War British, German and American ammunition brought back from Europe exploded on some railway sidings near Cadley on January 2, 1946.

It was only through the heroic actions of those working nearby to move rail wagons away from the inferno that a further 1,000 tonnes of explosives did not detonate. Railway workers, soldiers and firefighters shifted loaded wagons, sometimes by hand, to avoid a potentially bigger disaster. In total, 200 tonnes of explosives, 27 wagons and three army vehicles were destroyed in three explosions, which took place just 2.5 miles from Marlborough, with a further 90 loaded wagons in nearby sidings.

With several fires raging, it took more than three hours to bring the situation under control, and the blasts were heard up to 30 miles away. The 1946 Savernake Forest Explosion devastated the railway sidings at Cadley (Image: Freelancer) A stone memorial was unveiled on Sunday in Marlborough in a ceremony led by local historian Neil Stevens.

It features a history of the explosion, the names of the eight people who died, as well as those recognised for bravery. The Mayor of Marlborough, Cllr Lisa Farrell, and representatives of the British Army, Great Western Railway, the Fire Service and families linked to some of those who died or survived attended the ceremony. The local community raised GBP10,000 to pay for the monument to an incident about which many residents in Marlborough knew nothing.

HIstorian Neil Stevens who gave the opening address at the 1946 Savernake Forest Explosion memorial unveiling ceremony.

Photo: Trevor Porter 69790-8 (Image: Trevor Porter) Mr Stevens said: “The soldiers that died were known in the army but unknown in the town. “People were still recovering from five-and-a-half years of war and it was just another big bang where people died.”

It is still not entirely clear how explosion occurred, Mr Stevens said, but the men who survived risked life and limb to move the remaining wagons away from the danger. They included British Army soldiers, National Fire Service members and Great Western Railway staff. Eighteen gallantry medals were awarded to those involved.

Two of them were awarded the George Cross. Among those who died was Private John Sharples, 27, who had joined the British Army in October 1939 and survived the evacuation of Dunkirk in May 1940. He later served in the Royal Army Service Corps as a driver.

His nephew Derek Sharples, said: “My father did not speak much about his elder brother John. I believe that John was named after his own uncle ‘John’ Sharples who was killed at Gallipoli on 10 August 1915, aged 24. “As you can imagine, after the death of the second John, no sons were named John by any of the surviving brothers.”

Private Sharples was survived by his wife Elsie, who he had married in April 1942. Mr Sharples, who later served as a commander with the Royal Navy Reserves, said his family had been researching the Savernake explosion since 2001. Thanking those who worked to bring about the memorial, he said: “Thank you all for your amazing efforts to recognise those men who were honoured or killed in 1946 following this terrible event.

“We are all humbled by the service and dedication of those who served in World War II and your initiative to recognize these few men is a testament to their contribution.

“It shows that you and the community have not forgotten their heroism and their ultimate sacrifice.”