There was a very moving ceremony for the unveiling of a memorial plaque at St John’s station on Saturday 19th September, remembering those who died in the St John’s rail crash in 1957.
About 150 people turned out for the occasion, with beautiful music from the Deptford Community Choir and a trumpet solo by Josie Ashdown.
Local MP Vicky Foxcroft carried out the official unveiling and spoke of the strength of the current local St John’s community and how we were honouring the efforts of residents in 1957 who helped with the rescue.
The event included a speech by Steve Penfold, until recently the local councillor, a description of the emotional impact of the crash by local historian Tony Redding and a poem by the current councillor, Rotimi Skyers.
Tribute was also paid to the funders of the plaque – the Railway Heritage Trust and the St John’s Society.
The crash claimed 90 lives, in one of Britain’s worst railway disasters, and until now there has been no memorial in St John’s to what was probably the biggest event to have happened here.
As well as commemorating that sad event, this was a positive occasion, showing the community coming together for an event organised by the St John’s Society. The plaque was the result of the efforts of local people, remembering the history of our own area.
TV cameras from BBC London recorded the ceremony and it was the lead item on the local evening news. Read the BBC coverage here – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crn8ez02p6qxo.
