Norman and Marjorie Fairy lived most of their lives in Sutton Coldfield, their house backing onto the railway line. A silver dish on their mantlepiece had always fascinated Rupert when he would stay with his grandparents.

On 23rd January 1955 Marjorie heard a huge crash from the line. She rushed out and looking down the line saw the aftermath of a huge crash. She ran to help, but knowing the timetable she knew there would be a local train arriving on the same line in just a few minutes. She ran down the line to warn the oncoming train and was able to prevent the disaster becoming much worse.

17 people were killed in the Sutton Coldfield rail disaster. Today, they and those who came forward to help are remembered on a plaque in Sutton Coldfield station.