a warning to the signalman at Dove Holes, who enabled a DMU at Chapel-en-le-Frith to be moved to safety, but had no time to warn the crew of a passing Rowsley-to-Stockport freight service to accelerate. The runaway smashed into the rear of it, killing John Axon and John Creamer, the other freight train's guard. The signalman barely escaped as the 8F's tender sideswiped his box, destroying it. Recognition Axon was posthumously awarded the George Cross on 7 May 1957, which was donated to the National Railway Museum in York in 1978. He was also awarded the Order of Industrial Heroism by the Daily Herald. He was the subject of a 1957 radio ballad (The Ballad of John Axon), the first of the series, written by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger and produced by Charles Parker. A CD released in June 2008, 'Primary Transmission' by the artist Broadcaster on Red Grape Records, included the song 'Johnny' which is based on samples from the Ballad of John Axon and set to new music. On 19 February 1981, a British Rail Class 86 electric locomotive number 86261 was named Driver John Axon, GC at a ceremony at Euston Station, London. In February 2007, a DMU Class 150 train (150273) was named 'Driver John Axon, GC' at Buxton. This name has now passed onto a Class 156 DMU, 156460. A plaque commemorating the events was unveiled, to be mounted at Chapel-en-le Frith station. The plaque is now mounted on the station buildings at Chapel-en-le-Frith facing onto the southbound platform. Family On 17 September 1930 he married Gladys Richardson at St Matthew's Church, Stretford. They lived in Edgeley, Stockport and had two sons. His grandson, also named John Axon (1960 – 2008), was a television actor best known for his role as Nigel Harper in The Royal; he also played roles in series such as Life on Mars, City Central and Peak Practice. See also Benjamin Gimbert Casey Jones Norman Tunna Wallace Oakes André Tanguy Jesús García Lists of rail accidents References External links GC citation in the London Gazette of 3 May 1957 GC Awards to Railwaymen Official report on the collision The Ballad of John Axon, BBC Radio Article on the ballad British recipients of the George Cross British train drivers 1900 births 1957 deaths People from Stockport Railway accident deaths in England Train collisions in the United Kingdom Recipients of the Order