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Full Breakdown

Mannequin ‘Annie’ Vanishes and Reappears on West Somerset Railway

6/11/2026, 9:43:43 AM

Core Incident

During a West Somerset Railway gala, a mannequin representing a World War Two child evacuee, known as Annie, disappeared from Blue Anchor Station. The incident was covered by the BBC news service. The mannequin, which normally sits with a mother figure on a platform, was later located alone in a carriage at Minehead Station. The recovered figure was holding a can of cider.

Background & Context

The missing mannequin belonged to a railway museum. Annie is labeled as a World War Two child evacuee and is positioned on a station platform alongside a mother figure. The museum’s display includes the mannequin on a platform.

Key Individuals and Groups

Robin Whichard – Station master at Blue Anchor.

Unidentified “group of lads” – Described by museum staff as participants in a stag-do who are thought to have taken the mannequin. The identity of the group remains unknown.

Timeline of Events

Gala Day (date unspecified) – Annie disappears from Blue Anchor Station during the West Somerset Railway gala.

Later that day – Staff discovered Annie alone in a carriage at Minehead Station, still holding a can of cider.

Both Blue Anchor Station and Minehead Station are mentioned in connection with the West Somerset Railway.

Data & Statistics

Locations involved: Blue Anchor Station and Minehead Station, both situated on the West Somerset Railway.

Object: Mannequin representing a WWII child evacuee, named Annie.

Accompanying item: A single can of cider found in the mannequin’s hand; no other objects were reported.

Official Response

Station master Robin Whichard provided a comment on the incident, noting that the mannequin appeared unharmed and that the associated mother figure showed no signs of disturbance.

Criticism & Public Reaction

The source does not record any formal criticism or public dissent concerning the incident. No statements from heritage or museum oversight bodies are cited.

Conflicting Reports and Information Gaps

The identity of the “group of lads” and the precise actions they took remain unverified.

The exact interval between the mannequin’s disappearance and its recovery is not detailed beyond “later that day.”

No information is provided about any formal investigation or follow-up by railway or museum authorities.

Verbatim Quote

> “She seems absolutely unphased by her condition and mum doesn't seem to have noticed, so no harm done.” — Robin Whichard, Station Master, Blue Anchor

Outlook

The source does not mention any planned measures, security enhancements, or upcoming events related to the exhibit’s protection or further public displays.