Thameslink station duo officially presented with British Empire Medals

Two Thameslink station team members – one from Luton and Harpenden, the other from Elstree & Borehamwood – have been officially presented with British Empire Medals, awarded to them in the King’s Birthday Honours for their service to the railway.

Joe Healy, station manager at Luton Airport Parkway and Harpenden, was recognised for the work he does at his stations giving people with special educational needs and disabilities greater confidence to use the railway and gain independence (see editor’s notes below for additional quotes). His medal was presented to him by the Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Susan Lousada, at RAF Henlow.

Siggy Cragwell, aged 85, is Thameslink’s oldest employee and works at Elstree & Borehamwood. He has worked on the railway for 62 years after coming to the UK from Barbados as part of the Windrush generation (see editor’s notes below). His medal was presented to him by the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, Sir Kenneth Olisa OBE, at the Tower of London.

Lord Lieutenants are the King’s official representatives. They present honours and awards on behalf of the Crown.

Joe, who earlier this week also celebrated Luton Airport Parkway’s 25^th birthday, said: “It was a great event and such an honour. I was so surprised, as I said when I first heard about the award. To me, honestly, doing what I do on the railway is like a dream and then to be awarded this is like the icing on the cake. I never ever thought I’d be getting a BEM. It’s crazy!”

Siggy, who has enjoyed a long and illustrious cricketing career and continues to play, said: “It was very, very good - as good as when I walked out on to the crease to play for the England veterans! I’ve been wearing my medal and showing it to my passengers at the station – I’ve been getting a lot of hugs and kisses!”

Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “We are in awe of what Joe and Siggy have achieved. They continue to deliver the very best in customer service to passengers at their stations. We’re absolutely thrilled their work has been recognised in this way.”

Joe Healy (left) and Siggy Cragwell - download this and more pictures below

ENDS

Editor’s notes

Click here for a full case study on Siggy Cragwell, written when he turned 80.

Railway veteran Joe Healy, 50, has worked in the industry for 24 years. He is passionate about helping others and has for more than eight years organised ‘Try A Train’ days for Dunstable College, Bedford College and Autism Bedfordshire. These encourage people with special educational needs and disabilities to have the confidence to use the railway.

Additional quotes from Joe Healy:

“Everybody has a right to travel no matter what their disability. Why should we have somebody sitting at home thinking they can’t get out, they can’t travel because they’re too anxious or afraid, even to come to a train station? We need to break that down and if there’s anything I can do then I’m definitely going to do it.

“I also work with NOAH Enterprise in Luton to help disadvantaged individuals back into the world of work. I go to workshops and sit down and chat with people, find out about their situation, talk about my role as a station manager. I sometimes help them apply for jobs on the railway and do mock interviews to help them prepare.

“I remember there was a lady who always used to hide her face and not really talk, but then one day she came running up to me because she wanted to tell me she’d got a job as a carer! It’s moments like those that are truly rewarding.”