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    © Imperial War Museums 2026

    Memorial

    Norman Tunna GC (Woodside Ferry Terminal Plaque)

    Plaque

    Source: Copyright Stuart Nicholson

    1/1

    Current Location

    On preserved remains of a granite dock wall at the extreme landward end of the sunken garden behind the replica submarine, to the north of the terminal (the plaque is on the Hamilton square side, not the seaward side, of this wall), Woodside Ferry Terminal, Woodside, Birkenhead, Wirral, Merseyside, CH41 1EP, England

    OS Grid Reference

    SJ 32850 89192

    View location on Google Maps

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    © WMR-1952

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    Type of Memorial
    Board / Plaque / Tablet
    WMR Reference Number
    1952
    Description
    Inscribed plaque set on preserved remains of a granite dock wall. George cross at centre top, with inscription below.
    Inscription
    NORMAN TUNNA GC / LONDON GAZETTE FRIDAY 24 JANUARY 1941 / THE KING HAS BEEN GRACIOUSLY PLEASED TO AWARD THE GEORGE CROSS TO / NORMAN TUNNA, SHUNTER, GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY, BIRKENHEAD / ENEMY ACTION OVER THE BIRKENHEAD AREA RESULTED IN A NUMBER OF SERIOUS / FIRES INVOLVING RAILWAY AND DOCK WAREHOUSE PROPERTIES. / A LARGE NUMBER OF INCENDIARY BOMBS FELL ON OR ABOUT THE MORPETH DOCK GOODS / STATION AND SIDINGS. AMONGST THE WAGONS IN THE YARD WERE A TRAIN LOAD OF / AMMUNITION, VARIOUS TRUCKS OF PETROL IN TINS, BOMBS AND AMMUNITION FUSES. MOST / OF THE ENEMY INCENDIARY BOMBS WERE EXTINGUISHED BY THE PROMPT ACTION OF / THE STAFF ON DUTY BEFORE DAMAGE COULD BE DONE, BUT A SERIOUS FIRE DEVELOPED / FROM INCENDIARIES FALLING ON ONE SECTION OF THE STATION PREMISES. / IN THE COURSE OF THESE EVENTS SHUNTER TUNNER DISCOVERED TWO INCENDIARY BOMBS / BURNING IN A SHEETED OPEN WAGON, CONTAINING 250LB BOMBS. WITH COMPLETE DISREGARD / OF PERSONAL RISK, TUNNA REMOVED THE SHEET, EXTINGUISHED THE INCENDIARY BOMBS AND REMOVED THEM FROM THE TRUCK. THE TOP LAYER OF THESE BOMBS WAS HOT. / TUNNA'S ACTION DISPLAYED COURAGE IN VERY HIGH DEGREE AND ELIMINATED THE RISK / OF SERIOUS EXPLOSIONS, THE RESULT OF WHICH COULD BE DIFFICULT TO MEASURE.
    Number Commemorated
    1
    Served
    1
    Information shown
    surname, forename, occupation, additional, decorations
    War
    Second World War - civilians
    Number Commemorated
    1
    Served
    1
    Information shown
    surname, forename, occupation, additional, decorations

    Components

    Plaque

    Height: 470mm

    Width: 290mm


    Made from: Metal


    Condition: Good


    Wall

    Made from: Granite


    Condition: Good


    • London Gazette, Friday 24th January, 1941