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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	Matthew Withers
	Edward Medal, Second Class
	Date:	11 Aug 1913
	Colliery:	Annesley Colliery, Nottingham
	Occupation:	Deputy

 

Whitehall, November 7, 1913.

His Majesty the King has been graciously-pleased to award the Edward Medal of the Second Class to Matthew Withers under the following circumstances:—

On the 19th August, 1913, William Broughton, a dataller at the Annesley Colliery, near Nottingham, was engaged under the directions of Withers, who is a deputy, when a fall of roof took place and buried him. Withers, who was near at hand, heard the noise of the fall, and, being unable to reach the place, went round to the opposite side of the fall and managed to clear away the dirt with his hands until he reached Brpughton's head, which he protected by placing a piece of timber across large stones. Another fall of roof then occurred, burying both men and extinguishing the lamp. Withers' arms, fortunately, were free, and, being able to extricate himself, he started again to rescue Broughton. Though help had arrived in the meantime, there was only room for one man to work. Withers persisted in his efforts, in spite of the injuries he

had himself received, and did not stop until he had uncovered his fellow workman sufficiently to admit of his being hauled to a place of safety.

Withers was engaged in the work of rescue for about three-quarters of an hour, during which he ran great risk of being killed or severely injured by falls of roof. Had it not been, for his courage and determination, Broughton would probably have lost his life.

Source: London Gazette (11 Nov 1913)

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