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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	Joseph Thomas Chidley
	Edward Medal, 2nd Class
	Date:	29 Apr 1921
	Colliery:	Bulthy Mine, Shropshire
	Occupation:

 

Whitehall, 16th December, 1921.

His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal to ...

Also the Edward Medal of the 2nd Class to Robert Edward Paddock and Joseph Thomas Chidley.

Between 9 and 10 o'clock on April 29th, 1921, Chidiey, with three other men, was engaged in pumping water from old workings in the Bulthy Mine, in Shropshire, when the foreman, became afrected by fumes from a petrol engine, and ordered the men to leave. He became unconscious, and was carried out by Chidley, who was himself in a semi-conscious condition on arrival at the foot of the air-shaft. The two other mem were overcome by gas and collapsed.

Paddock came to work at 10 o'clock, and, proceeding towards the working; place, met Chidley and the foreman and helped them into the open air. He then returned and made two attempts to reach the other two men, but was each time driven back by the gas. He returned to the surface, and after consultation with Chidley, who had now recovered, the two mem determined to make a third attempt. They managed to reach one of the men and got him as far as the air-shaft, but were then becoming overcome, and had to leave him. Unfortunately, this man was dead when eventually he was brought to the surface, but the remaining man, whom it had not been possible to reach, subsequently regained consciousness, and managed to make his way to the surface. Both Paddock and Chidley displayed great courage and determination in the work of rescue.

Source: London Gazette (20 Dec 1921)

Email	Researcher	Date	Interest
	Thomas Chidley	30 Mar 2011	seeing where I came from

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