Blue plaque for Rev W Awdry
St Peter’s College is pleased to share that the Stroud home of late alumnus and Thomas the Tank Engine creator, Wilbert Vere Awdry OBE (1911-1997) (History, 1929), has been marked with a new blue plaque commemorating Awdry’s life and legacy.
Among the first students to matriculate at what was then St Peter’s Hall, Awdry studied history. Following his studies, he pursued ordination and served in the Church for the remainder of his career. To amuse his young son Christopher during a bout of measles, he invented stories featuring friendly talking train characters. These characters would eventually feature in 26 books published by Awdry and, later, 16 more books published by his son Christopher. Thomas the Tank Engine and his fellow engines remain familiar to generations of people around the world through both The Railway Series books and the popular TV series based upon the stories, Thomas and Friends.
Duncan Wilson, the Chief Executive of Historic England, 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.’
Historic England's National Blue Plaque Scheme celebrates people from all walks of life who have made a significant contribution to human welfare or happiness, and/or have made an exceptional impact in their field, community or wider society.