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Gallantry | ||
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Awards for Gallantry
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Frederick George Stephens |
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Edward Medal, Second Class | |||
| Date: | 10 Sep 1915 | ||
| Colliery: | Aberaman Colliery | ||
| Occupation: | Under Manager | ||
Whitehall, 22nd June, 1916.
His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal ...
Also the Edward Medal of the second class to Frederick George Stephens, Under Manager of the Aberaman Colliery, under the following circumstances:—
On the 10th September, 1915, a fireman of the Aberaman Colliery, on examining the pit at noon, found some timbers breaking, owing to roof weighting, and instructed a workman named Gamble to set props beneath the collars of the timbers. As Gamble was approaching the spot six pairs of timbers gave way causing a heavy fall (about 16 tons) of roof and sides, by which Gamble was caught. He was buried by about four feet of rubbish, his head and feet pinned tight; but his body protected by some fallen timber. Efforts were made to get him free, but were frustrated by the further falls, which were continually taking place. Stephens, the Under Manager, arrived about half an hour after the accident, by which time the roof and one side had become so dangerous that no one would venture near Gamble in spite of his cries for help. Stephens, however, immediately placed himself over Gamble, so as to protect him and called for volunteers. Four men responded and, under Stephens' instructions, began to pull down the overhanging stones, which Stephens, who is a strong man, diverted from falling on to Gamble, and by so doing was himself injured. After two hours' exertion Stephens succeeded in freeing Gamble, whose injuries, though not very serious, incapacitated him for two months from work. There can be little doubt that, had not Stephens been able to divert the falling stones, Gamble would have been in great danger of being crushed or suffocated, and it was Stephens' example which prompted the other men to renew their attempt at rescue, from which they had desisted owing to the danger of falling stones.
Source: London Gazette (27 Jun 1916)
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| Researchers | |
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| Researcher | Date | Interest | |
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| peter perry | 18 Oct 2011 |
he is my grandfather and i would be pleased if you would provide me with as much information as you are able to include his awards for bravery e.g Royal Humane Society, Carnegie Hero Fund and also a copy of the reference made in the 'Little Paper' childrens story book entitled @samson of the Mines' |
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