| Benjamin Gimbert | |
| Birth Date: | 1903 2, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Ely, Cambridgeshire, England |
| Death Place: | March, Cambridgeshire, England |
| Resting Place: | Eastwood Road Cemetery, March, Cambridgeshire[1] |
| Known For: | Hero of Soham rail disaster |
| Occupation: | Driver with the London and North Eastern Railway |
Benjamin Gimbert, GC (6 February 1903 – 6 May 1976) was a British engine driver with the London and North Eastern Railway and a recipient of both the George Cross and the Order of Industrial Heroism. Alongside fireman James Nightall, Gimbert was recognised for saving an ammunition train from a fire on 2 June 1944 during the Soham rail disaster.
Gimbert was born on 6 February 1903 in Ely (now in Cambridgeshire), the son of farm labourer George William Gimbert and his wife Florence. He married in 1926 and by 1939 was living in March.
The citation for the award of Gimbert's George Cross reads:
Gimbert was also awarded the Order of Industrial Heroism,[2] a private civil award given by the Daily Herald newspaper, and the LNER's silver medal for Courage and Resource. In 1953 he received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.
Gimbert died on 6 May 1976 and was buried in Eastwood Cemetery in March. In 1984, his medals were bought by March Town Council and are on permanent loan to March Museum alongside some shrapnel removed from his body.[3]
On 28 September 1981 two Class 47 locomotives were named in honour of the two railwaymen: No. 47577 was named "Benjamin Gimbert, GC" and No. 47579 "James Nightall, GC".[4] The nameplate "Benjamin Gimbert GC" was transferred to 47 574 in July 1987 at Stratford depot. It remained on this locomotive for 10 years.[5] On 2 June 2004 new "Benjamin Gimbert GC" nameplates were applied to Class 66 077 at Whitemoor yard (March).[6] Also the Norfolk Green bus company have named Optare Solo 617 (MX55WCV) after Gimbert.