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Auction: 15003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 223

Edward Medal (Mines), G.V.R., 1st 'coinage head' type, Bronze (Harold West), extremely fine

E.M. London Gazette 24.3.1922 Harold West (in a joint citation with Samuel Peters, Joseph Harrison, and Thomas Oalladine [all awarded the Edward Medal (Mines) in Bronze])
'On September 22nd, 1920, a heavy fall of earth occurred in a seam of the Holmewood Colliery, near Chesterfield, imprisoning two men who were working in the seam. It was ascertained that the men were uninjured, but, as it was obvious that the work of reaching them would occupy some days the first necessity was to supply them with food. Peters, the undermanager, with great ingenuity, passed food through a cycle tyre enclosed in iron piping. Further falls occurred during the forty-eight hours following the original fall, but it then became possible to pass some timber through, although gas appeared in the cavity and began to give trouble. A small hole was made through to the imprisoned men, and they were eventually freed after being four days in the seam.
Peters, West, Harrison and Calladine all distinguished themselves greatly in the work of rescue, and were engaged for practically the whole time in a dangerous: position at the face of the fall. They were exposed to the risk of injury from falling stones and displayed a dogged courage and endurance.'

Mr. Harold West, E.M., was employed as as Stallman, at the Holmwood Colliery, Chesterfield.

Provenance: Fevyer Collection, November 1998

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Sold for
£1,100