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Awards for Gallantry
John Copeland |
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Carnegie Hero Fund Award | |||
| Date: | 13 Sep 1934 | ||
| Colliery: | Heworth Colliery | ||
| Occupation: | Coal Cutter | ||
Entry in the Roll of Honour
of the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust, Dunfermline
John Copeland (24), Coal Cutter, 2 Ashgrove House, Windy Nook, Gateshead, on 13th September 1934, although himself injured, endeavoured to rescue a man who had been buried by a fall of roof in Heworth Colliery, Co. Durham.
Citation
At 1 a.m., on 13th September 1934, a fall of roof occurred in the Cross Cut Flat, High Main Seam, Heworth Colliery, Co. Durham. The working place was 5 yards wide, 6ft. 6ins. high, and the coal which was being cut was 2 ft. 6 ins. from floor level. The roof was very dangerous.
Thomas Graham (48), and John Copeland (24), were working a coal cutter (Arcwall), and Graham was in the act of placing a stay prop between the coal and the front of the machine prior to jacking it up, when the blue roof, 5 ins. thick, fell without warning, dislodging many supports and crushing Graham's head on to the top of the machine.
When the fall occurred Copeland received head injuries, which required stitching. Regardless of his own injuries, and safety, Copeland seized a plank, which he inserted and used as a level and succeeded in pulling Graham from under the stone and into a comparatively safe position. Copeland ran extreme risk owing to the fact that there was then no support for the roof, and a further fall might have occurred at any moment. It was only by a superhuman effort that Copeland was able to perform the rescue.
Graham succumbed to his injuries. In addition to his head injuries, Copeland suffered from shock and was incapacitated for work until 24th September, thereby losing wages.
In recognition of John Copeland's heroic endeavour to save human life, the Carnegie Hero Fund Trustees directed that his name be inscribed on the Roll of Honour of the Trust and that a Honorary Certificate and a sum of £15 be awarded to him.
Case 6021
Roll 3876
December 1934
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| Researchers | |
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| Researcher | Date | Interest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eileen Copeland Andersen | 05 Nov 2013 |
John Copeland was my uncle on my father's side. My father was Joseph Thomas Copeland also working in the mine. I also had an uncle Charlie Copeland who was employed there. Can you give me any further information? Thank You Eileen Copeland Andersen |
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| Jim turnbull | 04 Apr 2014 |
To find out where 2 Ashgrove house was situated |
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| Eve cox | 02 Mar 2022 |
History |
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