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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	Ernest Alfred Morris
	Edward Medal
	Date:	29 May 1923
	Colliery:	Ashanti Goldfields
	Occupation:	Engineer

 

Whitehall, 4th July, 1924.

His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal in recognition of the gallantry of Mr. Geoffrey Walter Chardin, late engineer of the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation Limited, who lost his life in endeavouring to save life in a mine accident at Obuasi, Ashanti, on the 29th May, 1923, and to Mr. Ernest Alfred Morris, a mill foreman of the Company, for the bravery displayed by him on the same occasion:—

On May 29th, 1923, at Obuasi, Ashanti, while a cyanide solution was being prepared in a vat on the premises of the Ashanti Goldfields Corporation a native, named Robert, who was working in the vat contrary to orders was overcome by the fumes. Two other natives Sikeyena and Guruba attempted to rescue him but were themselves overcome. Mr. Chardin, who was on the spot realised the danger and the need for immediate action if the men were to be saved. Without hesitation he entered the vat by a ladder but was himself over­powered by the fumes. Mr. Morris, and Mr. Skinner, the shift engineer, arrived and between them managed to drag Mr. Chardin out of the vat. Skinner then collapsed but Morris tied a rope round himself, re-entered the vat and eventually succeeded in bringing out the three natives alive. Unfortunately Mr. Chardin and the two natives Sikeyena and Robert succumbed, but the conduct of Mr. Chardin and Mr. Morris was extremely gallant and Mr. Morris undoubtedly risked his life in entering the vat no less than three times in his work of rescue.

Source: London Gazette (04 Jul 1924)

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