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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	John Krull
	Edward Medal
	Date:	27 Sep 1924
	Colliery:	Charlton
	Occupation:

 

Whitehall, 27th December, 1924.

His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal to John Krull and Frederick Oliver, employed by Messrs. G. E. Weston & Sons, of 42, Welcome Square, London, E.G., in the following circumstances:—

On September 27th, 1924, while workmen were engaged on sinking shafts at the Electrical Engineering Works of Messrs. Johnson and Phillips, at Charlton, one of them named Timpson descended a shaft which was about 26 feet in depth. He was overcome by gas and lay unconscious at the bottom. A fellow worker named Bass attempted to reach him but was affected by the gas before reaching the bottom of the shaft and was compelled to return to the surface. Oliver, a foreman, then attempted a rescue. He tied a handkerchief over his mouth and descended the shaft but was overcome on reaching the bottom and collapsed. Krull, knowing that Timpson and Oliver were unconscious in the shaft, dipped a muffler in water and tied it round his mouth and nostrils. With a rope round his body he descended the shaft and succeeded in bringing up Timpson. He then went down a second time and brought Oliver also to the surface. Timpson unfortunately was beyond aid but Oliver, though unconscious when he reached the surface, eventually responded to treatment.

Both Krull and Oliver performed a very brave action. Krull had been a miner and was well aware of the risk he was running. He knew that three men had been overcome by the gas and he was undoubtedly the means of saving Oliver's life. Oliver, too, showed great courage in his attempted rescue of Timpson at the risk of his own life.

Source: London Gazette (06 Jan 1925)

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