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Gallantry | ||
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Awards for Gallantry
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Charles Thirlaway |
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British Empire Medal (Civil Division) | |||
| Date: | 01 Apr 1945 | ||
| Colliery: | Ryhope Colliery | ||
| Occupation: | Stoneman | ||
Award of British Empire Medal (Civil Division)
Awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division) :—
Charles Raeper, Deputy, Ryhope Colliery, Durham.
Charles Thirlaway, Stoneman, Ryhope Colliery, Durham.
A heavy fall occurred in a coal seam, trapping two men. Raeper and Thirlaway began shifting the stones, in spite of the fact that the roof was weighting heavily and further falls were taking place higher up. They were assisted by two other miners, but Raeper, assisted by Thirlaway, formed the spearhead of the rescuers. They carried on under very dangerous conditions until, after about 4 hours; they were able to get through to the other side and assist one man, uninjured but suffering badly from shock, back through the hole to safety. The work of rescue was continued with all possible speed until the second man was at last rescued but he was found to be dead. The rescue work was carried on under very dangerous conditions with imminent danger of collapse of the area immediately outbye of the fall as well as at the fall itself. Raeper and Thirlaway displayed outstanding courage and leadership, and accepted great risks.
Commendations.
When an accident occurred in a coal mine:—
John Bainbridge, Overman, Ryhope Colliery, Durham.
Source: London Gazette (04 Sep 1945)
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