Granddaughter Travels from Canada to UK for Play About Grandfather’s Role in 1926 Train Derailment

A woman is traveling from Canada to the United Kingdom to attend a new theatrical production centered on a group of individuals, including her grandfather, who were incarcerated after a train derailment. Titled ‘The Cramlington Train Wreckers,’ the play recounts the events of 1926 when striking miners sabotaged the London to Edinburgh mainline in Northumberland. Cathy Bowles, the granddaughter of Willy Baker, was born and raised in Carlisle, Cumbria, following her family’s relocation there in 1950, but currently resides in Canada. She stated, “When I heard about the play, I felt I had to travel home to see it.” The incident, involving the derailment of the Flying Scotsman, took place on 10 May 1926 amidst the General Strike and a period of elevated societal tension throughout the UK. Despite the train coming off its tracks, passengers experienced only minor injuries. Ultimately, eight men from Cramlington received prison sentences, among them Willy Baker, who was 28 years old at the time. He was given four years of penal servitude but was released after serving two years and three months. Mrs Bowles commented, “Unfortunately, my grandfather died of a heart attack soon after in1928, so my dad never really got to know him well.” She added, “We do know he wasn’t a miner, though, my Dad’s birth certificate says he was a labourer.” Mrs Bowles, aged 64, was born in Carlisle subsequent to her father’s move there in 1950 and relocated to Canada more than four decades ago. She recounted, “I’d come on school holidays to Cramlington from Carlisle to visit my Nanna Baker.” She continued, “I heard all the tremendous mining stories and about the derailment. It’s my history, of which I am extremely proud.” Mrs Bates will be present at the South Shields performance of ‘The Cramlington Train Wreckers’ on 16 November. Readers can follow BBC North East and BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor, and Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Information regarding their approach to external linking is available.