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Gallantry | ||
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Awards for Gallantry
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Matthew James Campbell |
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Edward Medal | |||
| Date: | 27 Oct 1924 | ||
| Colliery: | Sydney, New South Wales | ||
| Occupation: | |||
Whitehall, June 25, 1925.
His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal to Mr. Matthew James Campbell for his bravery in the following circumstances:—
On 27th October, 1924, while Campbell, together with two other men named George Lawton and William Lambking, was working in a shaft of the Northern Suburbs Ocean Outfall Sewer at Sydney, New South Wales, a hammer used in pile driving gave way and carried away the greater part of the staging about 200 feet from the bottom of the shaft on which the men were working. Both Lawton and Lambking were injured, but Campbell who was unhurt managed to hold them one in each arm until his strength was exhausted and he had to loose his hold of Lawton, who fell to the bottom and was killed. Campbell managed to retain his hold of Lambking: he succeeded in placing him in a bucket and getting him drawn to the surface. He then went down to the bottom of the shaft alone to render any help he could to Lawton but, finding him dead, placed the body in the bucket and it was brought to the surface. By this time Campbell was absolutely exhausted and he collapsed but was extricated from the shaft by other workmen who came on the scene.
There is no doubt that in holding on to the two injured men while standing on a very, narrow plank Campbell incurred a grave risk of falling to the bottom and of losing his life. He displayed courage of a very high order in retaining his hold of Lambking and undoubtedly saved his life.
Source: London Gazette (01 Sep 1925)
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| Researchers | |
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| Researcher | Date | Interest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| clive johnson | 24 Feb 2012 |
I am currently preparing the second edition of Australians Awarded, a book covering all awards to Australians. I am desperate for some sort of image for this award, so it can be recorded for the first time in a comprehensive reference of awards. clive |
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| Maz | 26 May 2020 |
Matthew Campbell is my great grand father. I would be interested to have a photo of the award ceremony- if any were taken. |
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