March and District Museum
Artefactsct 1
Painting by J P Honeywell as used on the cover of the book 'But for such men as these' by Anthony Day (see publications)
In the early hours of 2nd June 1944, Driver Ben Gimbert and Fireman James Nightall saved the town of Soham, Cambs, from destruction by detaching a burning ammunition wagon from the other 51 wagons in the train. James Nightall and Frank Bridges, the Soham signalman, were killed but Benjamin Gimbert survived with serious injuries. The two locomotive men were awarded the George Cross for their actions.
Some year's later Ben's widow decided to sell his medals so that she could move to a new bungalow and they were offered at Sotheby's auction in 1984. The successful bidder was Christopher Clayton. a London accountant, who then very generously donated the medals back to the town of March, Ben's home town. The medals were deposited in March Museum and displayed in the Haylock room beneath a plaque commemorating the bravery of Ben Gimbert and James Nightall that had originally been displayed in March Urban District Council Chamber.
Recently March Museum was offered some scrapbooks that had been given to the purchaser of a chest-of-drawers by the vendor, as he was moving house. When the contents were examined they were found to be the records, kept by Christopher Clayton, of the purchase of the medals and their subsequent return to March. When these items were given to the Museum it was mentioned that there was 'something to do with the event, under a friend's bed in Drybrook, Gloucestershire!
Two Museum officers went to Gloucestershire and collected the painting and an illuminated address that was given to Ben Gimbert by March urban District Council when the plaque was unveiled 15th October 1945,
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The citation
Benwick Clock
Hung on the wall in the West Room is the face of the clock from The Church of St. Mary's, Benwick. The church was built in 1854, and the Parish Council added a clock in 1871. When the tower of the church was removed in the 1960's the future of the clock was uncertain, with the church wanting to sell it, but the people of the village wanting to keep it. It was decided to lend it to March Museum, and it has been there since. Unfortunatly, the age of the clock has gotten to it, and it now no longer works.
Left: The Church of St. Mary, Benwick before tower and clock removed
Right: The Clock now hanging in the West Room
Commemorative Statuette
This commemorative limited edition statuette has been loaned to March Museum By March Town Council. It is in memory of the Storming of The Schwaben Redoubt by the 1st Battalion of the 1st Cambridgeshire Regiment 14th October 1916.
