{"id":1453,"date":"2026-05-09T06:51:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-09T06:51:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/great-train-robbery-victims-sister-scoops-six-figure-jackpot-on-postcode-lottery\/"},"modified":"2026-05-09T08:52:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-09T08:52:08","slug":"great-train-robbery-victims-sister-scoops-six-figure-jackpot-on-postcode-lottery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/great-train-robbery-victims-sister-scoops-six-figure-jackpot-on-postcode-lottery\/","title":{"rendered":"Great Train Robbery victim’s sister scoops six-figure jackpot on Postcode Lottery"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Nancy Barkley landed a third of the \u00a31million prize pot and says she wants people to remember her brother David Whitby, not the violent robbers who stole the equivalent of \u00a350million<\/h2>\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Updated <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Nancy<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The sister of a Great Train Robbery<\/a> victim has scooped a fortune on the Postcode Lottery<\/a> \u2013 more than six decades after her late brother was beaten during Britain\u2019s most infamous heist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Nancy Barkley, 80, landed a third of the \u00a31million prize pot \u2013 and now plans to move out of her rented home for one of her own with husband, Colin. The former factory worker says she could not help thinking of her late brother David Whitby \u2013 the train fireman attacked by the notorious gang<\/a> behind the 1963 robbery.<\/p>\n

Nancy, of Crewe, Cheshire, said: \u201cEveryone all knew the robbers\u2019 names but now people remember my brother David as well. And maybe he\u2019s looking down on us today.\u201d<\/p>\n

READ MORE: Dad who has lived in same council flat for 42 years wins \u00a35m Omaze mansion overlooking Lake Windermere<\/a><\/span><\/span>READ MORE: Lottery winner misses out after failing to claim \u00a31million prize<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Nancy<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Nancy Barkley says she cannot help thinking of her brother, Great Train Robbery victim David Whitby(Image: pic (c) Iain McLeanall rights reserved)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The great-gran added: \u201cThis is just unbelievable. I never expected anything like that amount. I thought \u00a31,000 … anything over that is a bonus. This is a blooming big bonus!\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy and two neighbours shared \u00a31million when their CW1 postcode landed the lottery\u2019s weekly Millionaire Street prize on Saturday May 9. Each ticket was worth \u00a3333,333. Behind the feel-good windfall is an extraordinary link to one of Britain\u2019s most infamous crimes.<\/p>\n

Brother David, then 25, was the fireman \u2013 or driver\u2019s mate \u2013 aboard the Glasgow to London Royal Mail train targeted by the Great Train Robbery gang<\/a> on August 8, 1963. The robbery became one of the most shocking crimes in British history after 15 men escaped with \u00a32.6million – worth more than \u00a350million today.<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

David Whitby was attacked in the Great Train Robbery(Image: pic (c) Iain McLean
\nall rights reserved)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

While the gang, including Ronnie Biggs<\/a>, became infamous around the world<\/a>, Nancy says the real victims were forgotten. Recalling the terrifying night, she said: \u201cThey [the robbers] changed the signals, so the train stopped. David got out and went down to the signal box to find out why. He then went to ring the signal box man, but they\u2019d cut the wires.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nancy said her brother then unknowingly walked straight into the gang. She explained: \u201cHe was walking back towards the train and saw a fellow standing there.<\/p>\n

“David said, \u2018You alright mate?\u2019 because he thought he was a railway worker. But he was one of the robbers. He grabbed David, pushed him down the bank and started punching him.”<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Train<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Train driver Jack Mills suffered severe head injuries during the raid and never fully recovered(Image: mediadrumimages\/TopFoto)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Nancy said the gang then attacked driver Jack Mills, then 57, after he tried to resist them: \u201cThey dragged Jack off the train and handcuffed him to David. One of the robbers stood over them and warned them some of the gang were \u2018right b*****ds\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Driver Jack suffered severe head injuries during the raid and never fully recovered. He died in 1970 aged 65. David died just two years after Jack in 1972 at just 34 years old from a heart attack.<\/p>\n

Nancy believes both men paid a terrible price for the trauma they suffered. Yet she says history focused almost entirely on the robbers themselves: \u201cThey spent 50 years glamourising them. It was all Ronnie Biggs this and Ronnie Biggs that. They made films about them and turned them into celebrities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Investigators<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Great Train Robbery targeted a Royal Mail train in 1963(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

She even remembers seeing singer Phil Collins star in the 1988 movie, Buster, in which he played one of the gang members, Buster Edwards, adding: \u201cNobody talked about the victims. David and Jack both died within years of the robbery and people just forgot about them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recognition finally came decades later after railway officials organised a memorial service honouring the two men. A plaque was later installed at Crewe Railway Station, and roads were named after both men. Nancy said: \u201cThere\u2019s a Jack Mills Way and a David Whitby Way now. Every time we drive down there, I say, \u2018Hello David\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Plaque<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

A plaque at Crewe Station honours trainmen Jack & David(Image: pic (c) Iain McLeanall rights reserved)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Husband Colin, 69, admitted he secretly put the Postcode Lottery ticket in Nancy\u2019s name because he believed she was luckier than him. He joked: \u201cI told her she was the lucky one. Looks like I was right.”<\/p>\n

Nancy, who worked as a cutter for Chester Barrie \u2013 a clothing factory which made designer men\u2019s clothes worn by Royals, football and F1 stars \u2013 now plans to buy their very own home. She said: \u201cWe only rent so this changes everything. We can buy the bungalow that we’ve always wanted.”<\/p>\n

The couple only moved back to Crewe recently after retiring to Wales several years ago. But worsening health problems forced them closer to family.<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

A road in Crewe has been named after Great Train Robbery victim David(Image: pic (c) Iain McLeanall rights reserved)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Nancy revealed she battled breast cancer two years ago and underwent a lumpectomy. Although doctors successfully removed the cancer, she later became seriously ill after suffering an infection and digestive complications. She said: \u201cAt one point I went a whole month hardly eating or drinking. I ended up in hospital on drips and intravenous antibiotics.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Nancy says she is finally recovering and hopes to enjoy spending their winnings. The couple have already begun sharing the news with their family \u2013 although one of their four daughters initially thought the photos were fake. Colin laughed: \u201cShe saw the picture with the cheque and said, \u2018It\u2019s AI\u2019. I had to convince her it was real.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"Nancy<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Nancy celebrates with husband Colin(Image: pic (c) Iain McLeanall rights reserved)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The family already has a history of luck in competitions. Back in 1995, Colin entered a Daily Mirror<\/a> contest and won a luxury cruise aboard the famous P&O liner SS Canberra.<\/p>\n

Nancy said: \u201cWe\u2019d never been abroad before. We went to Spain, Egypt, Israel, Cyprus and Gibraltar,\u201d adding: \u201cWe even had our own butler.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite their latest windfall, the pair insist they will not become extravagant. Nancy said: \u201cWe\u2019re not flashy people. We don\u2019t drink and we\u2019re happy with simple things. We like going out for lunch and little trips away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead, the biggest joy for Nancy is being able to help her close-knit family including their daughters, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.<\/p>\n

May has already become a huge month for celebrations, with several birthdays falling within weeks of the win. Nancy smiled: \u201cOne daughter turned 60 last week, another had her birthday today and my birthday is next week. May must be our lucky month.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Nancy Barkley landed a third of the \u00a31million prize pot and says she wants people<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1454,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778309487_1_Crewe-MS-CW1-6HN-078JPG.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1453","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1453"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1453\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1458,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1453\/revisions\/1458"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1454"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1453"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1453"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1453"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}