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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	John Cairns
	Edward Medal
	Date:	13 Mar 1913
	Colliery:	Townhead Iron Ore Mine
	Occupation:

 

Whitehall, July 23, 1913.

His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal of the Second Class to John Cairns under the following circumstances :—

On the 13th of March an inrush of water from old workings occurred at the Townhead Iron Ore Mine, Egremont, Cumberland, shortly after a number of men had descended the pit shaft to their work. As soon as the alarm was raised all men made for the shaft bottom, with the exception of James Ward, who had gone alone to his usual working place some distance from the others. Cairns was rushing to the shaft to escape, when he recollected that Ward, who was working alone, would be unaware of the danger till too late. He promptly turned back to find Ward and hurry him out of the working. By the time he had reached him the water had risen and the two men found it impossible to get back to the shaft. Luckily, they reached a stone drift above the water level, which happened to be connected with the surface by a six-inch borehole. Through this bore-hole communications were made to them from above and food was sent down. They remained imprisoned for 5½ days until they were rescued after the mine had been cleared of water.

There is no doubt that Cairns imperilled his own life by his plucky action in going back into the mine to give warning to Ward.

Source: London Gazette (25 Jul 1913)

Email	Researcher	Date	Interest
	mags reilly	09 Mar 2013	James Ward was my great uncle, I am researching my family tree and would love to find out more about the area and the history of mining.
	John Colin Corlett	17 May 2020	I am John Cairns great grandson and would really like to find any photographs of my great grandfather. I have in my possession the medals that my great grandfather was awarded for saving the life of James Ward.

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