Two rail workers in Hertfordshire have been awarded British Empire Medals in the King’s Birthday Honours for their service to the railway.

84-year-old Siggy Cragwell, who works as a station assistant at Elstree and Borehamwood, has worked on the railway for 62 years and is Thameslink‘s oldest employee.

A few years ago, Siggy was a special guest of honour at the unveiling of the National Windrush Monument at London Waterloo.

Alongside Siggy is Joe Healy, who is Luton Airport Parkway and Harpenden‘s Station Manager, and set himself a mission to give people with special educational needs and disabilities greater confidence in using the railway.

“I was shocked. I stopped and thought for a little bit, ‘Is that really for me?’ I thought, I can’t wait to tell my friends at the cricket club – they’ll go ballistic!”

Siggy Cragwell

Siggy was awarded his BEM in this year’s Birthday Honours, whilst Joe was awarded his last year – however, due to being an Irish national, the honour required ratification by the Irish government, which was confirmed in 2024.

“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.

“When I got this award, I was so surprised. 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!”

Joe Healy