Bere Ferrers Station Accident-1917
N 50° 27.080 W 004° 10.886
30U E 416126 N 5589480
Ten New Zealand soldiers killed by express train at Bere Ferrers Station in West Devon.
Waymark Code: WM3X7X
Location: South West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/30/2008
Views: 38
The station was the scene of a fatal railway accident on 24 September 1917.The soldiers from New Zealand had arrived in Plymouth on two troopships, Ulimaroa and Norman. They were en-route from the docks to Sling Camp on the Salisbury Plains when the tragedy occurred. At Bere Ferrers station, the train made an unscheduled stop. The soldiers had been told that they would be given rations upon arrival at Exeter station. Thinking they had arrived at Exeter and being unaccustomed to British railways, they climbed down on to the down line. They were struck almost immediately and killed by an oncoming express heading towards Plymouth. The men are buried at Efford war cemetery in Plymouth. A plaque in their memory was unveiled in 2001 in the village.
In 1917 Bere Ferrers was on the main line from Plymouth to Exeter via Okehampton and had two running lines. Today the route is a quiet branch line to Gunnislake and is single track.
Visit Instructions:
Tell of your visit. An original photo is encouraged. If you have something to "add to the story" please tell of it in your log.