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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	William Broomhall
	Edward Medal, Second Class
	Date:	26 Mar 1914
	Colliery:	Clay Cross Coal, Lime & Iron Co.
	Occupation:

 

Whitehall, May 21, 1914.

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

On the morning of the 26th March, 1914, William Broomhall, a workman employed by the Clay Cross Coal, Lime and Iron Company, and Edwin William Birkumshaw were charging blast furnaces on a platform seventy-five feet above the ground when a severe explosion took place in one of the furnaces, accompanied by an outburst of flaming gases at a high temperature. Birkumshaw was standing about ten feet away from the furnace; his clothing caught fire, and he was severely burned. Broomhall was at the far end of the platform near the other furnace, about fifty feet away. A gale of wind carrying the gases was blowing almost straight down the platform, and he was burned about the face and hands. In attempting to escape, he fell into the hopper of the other furnace. He again reached the platform and heard a cry for assistance. In the teeth of the gale and the flaming hot gases which were still escaping he made his way, at the risk of his life, to Birkumshaw, and succeeded in pulling off his burning clothes. In doing so he sustained further injuries. To add to his danger a wooden cabin and some timber near which he had to pass caught fire, and he also ran the risk of a further explosion in the furnace.

In all probability Broomhall, by his prompt and courageous action, saved the life of his fellow-workman.

Source: London Gazette (26 May 1914)

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