Vehicle    From 15/2/1917 

Jellicoe Express

Categories: Armed Forces, Transport

Countries: Scotland

Officially 'The Euston to Thurso Naval Special' this was known as the Misery Express.

From 1917 this Royal Navy train ran daily between London Euston and Thurso during both world wars. It was named after Admiral Sir John Jellicoe and carried service personnel to and from Naval bases around the country, including Scapa Flow. WW100 Scotland reports that in WW1 it ran 15 February 1917 - 30 April 1919.

It was estimated to have transported some half a million Service personnel during the two wars. (Helmsdale says half a million in each war). It was the longest scheduled rail service ever to run in the UK. 

Crewe Station was one of the few scheduled stops on the 717-mile 21h 30m journey. This was a major refreshment stop, where over 300 women volunteers worked around the clock to provide refreshments in a canteen on Platform 6. Helmsdale was another refreshment stop.

From Royal Naval Association: "Although seen as a crucial piece of Naval infrastructure, the train also carried thousands of soldiers and airmen over the years.Travelling on it was usually a nightmare – invariably overcrowded, most passengers were unlikely to get a seat, and only the shortest of them could hope to get any sleep (if they could find an empty wire luggage-rack). In the Great War it left London at 6pm, arriving at Thurso at 3.30pm the following day. The southbound service took an hour longer ..."

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Jellicoe Express

Commemorated ati

Jellicoe Express

From Railscot: 19 of these plaques have been installed at: Euston, Crewe, Pre...

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Other Subjects

H. E. Cannard

H. E. Cannard

Employed at the Holloway bus/tram garage - Pemberton Gardens. Served and was killed in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Squadron Leader Brian Lane DFC

Squadron Leader Brian Lane DFC

Royal Air Force fighter pilot.  Born Harrogate, grew up in Pinner.  From the picture source website: "Brian Lane flew with RAF 19 Sqn and achieved 7 kills during his career, having seen action over...

Person, Armed Forces

War dead, WW2
1 memorial
F. C. Grace

F. C. Grace

Co-partner or employee of the South Suburban Gas Company. Served but did not die in WW1.

Person, Armed Forces

War served, WW1
1 memorial
Second Lieutenant Archibald Edward Sheldon

Second Lieutenant Archibald Edward Sheldon

Archibald Edward Sheldon was born in Herne Hill, London, the elder child of John Sheldon (1856-1931) and Constance Theodosia Sheldon née Lewis (1862-1951). His birth was registered in the 1st quart...

Person, Armed Forces, Turkey

War dead, WW1
2 memorials
Royal Army Service Corps - London Units

Royal Army Service Corps - London Units

London unit which served in WW1.

Group, Armed Forces

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Bill Brandt

Bill Brandt

W8, Campden Hill Road, 4 Airlie Gardens

Bill Brandt, 1904 - 1983, photogapher lived here. English Heritage

1 subject commemorated, 1 creator
Richard Carr-Gomm

Richard Carr-Gomm

Army officer and charity founder. Richard Culling Carr-Gomm was born on 2 February 1922 at Mancetter Lodge, Mancetter, near Atherstone, Warwickshire. He was the son of Mark Culling Carr-Gomm (1883...

Person, Armed Forces, Philanthropy, Germany

1 memorial
James Bannister

James Bannister

For more information about this hero click on the picture of his plaque.

Person, Tragedy

1 memorial
Sir Walter Wilkin

Sir Walter Wilkin

Lord Mayor in 1895-6.  Born London.  The Museum of London has more info. and a picture of his amazing hat!

Person, Lord Mayor, Politics & Administration

1 memorial