| Gallantry |
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Gallantry | ||
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Awards for Gallantry
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Thomas Stokes |
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Edward Medal, First Class | |||
| Date: | 14 Dec 1911 | ||
| Colliery: | Cannock Chase Colliery | ||
| Occupation: | Miner | ||
Whitehall, April 15, 1912.
His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal of the First Class to Henry Merritt, a fireman, and to the widow of Thomas Stokes, a miner, under the following circumstances:—
An underground fire broke out, on the 14th December, 1911, in the intake airway of the No. 9 Cannock Chase Colliery, which rendered necessary the withdrawal of all the workmen. Most of the men, including Merritt and Stokes, reached the shaft safely, but it was found that five were still in the pit. Merritt went with Stokes, to their rescue, and penetrated 800 yards along the return airway, in spite of the smoke, which was rapidly increasing in density, and found the men. One of them got out by holding on to Merritt, but the other four were suffocated, and Stokes also lost his life. Merritt did not at first discover that the other men had not followed him, and when he became aware of this he made two further attempts to reach them, but was finally driven back by the smoke, and reached the surface in an exhausted condition.
Source: London Gazette (19 Apr 1912)
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| Researchers | |
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| Researcher | Date | Interest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caroline Stokes | 05 Feb 2010 |
Relative of Thomas Stokes and trying to locate the medal. |
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| Steve McRea | 05 Feb 2010 |
My late Grandfather George Stokes had Thomas Stokes's Medal in his possession. We know this because it was loaned to a Museum in Stafford in the 1970's. The medal was probably loaded out to another Museum before my Grandfather passed away, so we have lost track of it. My Grandfather was names George Stokes, My Great Grandfather was Henry Stokes, and Great Great Grandfather was also named Henry Stokes. We know that Thomas was a close relative to my Grandfather. We would like to find out who Thomas was in relation to Grandfather. Also like to find out where the medal went to? Just so that we can see it. Thanks. |
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| Councillor Derek Davis OBE | 02 Feb 2017 |
The Old Hednesford Colliery disaster of 1911. In the last few years we have commenced a Local History Group in Chadsmoor and consider Thomas Stokes as one of our "Hero's" - I would like to find the location of the Edward Medal and speak to anyone who can add to my researches. |
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