Blue plaque unveiled in honour of Thomas the Tank Engine creator
Historic England are unveiling a blue plaque in honour of the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine at his former home in Rodborough, Stroud.
The unveiling marks 80 years since the first of the classic Thomas & Friends books, The Three Railway Engines was published, and forms part of this year’s Railway 200 celebrations.
The plaque is being unveiled by Historic England Chief Executive Duncan Wilson and daughter of Reverend Awdry, Veronica Chambers and is the first national blue plaque to be unveiled that has been nominated by a member of the public, who submitted the nomination in 2024.
Awdry, born in 1911 in Hampshire, was a reverend in Cambridgeshire while he wrote some of his Thomas the Tank Engine books until he retired and moved to Rodborough.
His daughter, Veronica Chambers, told Greatest Hits Radio what it was like to grow up with him as a father: “We were aware as children that father used to write but his main calling was parish priest.
“He used to like to set aside a day to write and I don’t think it was until we were that little bit older that we realised that though he was our dad we sort of shared him with an awful lot of people.”
Historic England say their National Blue Plaque Scheme highlights the stories of inspirational people from all walks of life across the country who have made a significant contribution to human welfare or happiness, some famous and some whose history has been hidden or forgotten.
The inscription on the plaque at 30 Rodborough Avenue reads: “The Reverend Wilbert Awdry / 1911 –1997 / Children’s Author / who created / Thomas the Tank Engine / lived here”
Duncan Wilson, Historic England Chief Executive, said: “Loved around the world, it’s an honour to remember Reverend Awdry and the happiness he brought to so many childhoods.
“The early books, which would become The Railway Series, laid the foundation for a global phenomenon, based on the magic of the steam train which has appealed to all ages down the generations.”
Veronica Chambers, Reverend Awdry’s daughter added: “On behalf of the Awdry family, I am delighted that my father has been honoured with a national blue plaque from Historic England.
“Alongside his role as a parish priest, he was a lifelong, dedicated railway enthusiast and by creating Thomas the Tank Engine and friends, he invented a magical, fictional world that has enchanted generations of children and adults across the world.
“It’s wonderful that the national blue plaque has been installed at 30 Rodborough Avenue, his home for so many years after he retired as a parish priest.”