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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	John Borland Brown
	Edward Medal
	Date:	1923-09
	Colliery:	Bellbird Colliery, New South Wales
	Occupation:

 

Whitehall, July 17, 1925.

His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal in recognition of the gallantry of the late Mr. Hugh Frederick Moodie and the late Mr. John Borland Brown, who gave their lives on the occasion of a serious fire at the Bellbird Colliery, New South Wales, in September, 1923, in a gallant attempt to save the lives of their comrades:—

The fire started just after the afternoon shift had commenced work. Moodie, a deputy on the afternoon shift, entered the mine about 1 p.m. and was proceeding to his work when he met the day-shift deputies returning, who reported that all was in order. He continued on his way but soon encountered dense smoke. He went back to the day-shift deputies, told them what he had found and then went forward alone to try to rescue his men. He was an experienced deputy and must have been fully aware of the risk he was taking. He was not seen alive again, but when the mine was re-opened his body was found in a position which showed that he must have travelled over a thousand yards in his efforts to save the men.

At about 2.30 p.m., on the same day Brown and other volunteers from neighbouring collieries entered the mine on rescue work. They found two men, one of whom it was thought might be alive, but the air was so bad that the rescuers were forced to retreat. After two further attempts Brown was successful in reaching the bodies and spent twenty minutes in a vain attempt at resuscitation. He then, accompanied by another man, pushed on but was driven back by foul air and returned to the surface to organise rescue parties. He descended with one party, recovered four bodies and took them safely to the surface. He then descended for the third time and penetrated to the most forward point then reached, when an explosion occurred. Brown was seriously affected by the fumes and urged his companions to leave him and go on. His companions tried to help him, but in response to his urgent entreaties finally left him lying in the tunnel where his body was afterwards discovered.

Source: London Gazette (01 Sep 1925)

Email	Researcher	Date	Interest
	Rodney John Brown	20 May 2012	John Borland Brown was my grandfather.
	Lisa	08 Jan 2016	John Borland Brown was married to my grandmothers sister. He sponsored my grandfather, James McDonald Potter, and other family members in immigrating to Australia. When my Great Uncle, Thomas Potter, died in WW1, Mrs JB Brown wrote letters, in receipt of his belongings as she was named in his will. Would like to connect with family and for family history purposes.
	Debra lee	08 Nov 2016	John Borland Brown was my Great Grandfather of course I never met him but my Grandmother used to tell me about him.
	walter smith	14 Sep 2017	I am interested in this because he was born in Dalserf, Lanarkshire, Scotland and I currently live here and have a great interest in Dalserf people there emigration and there lives. I have lots of research on the Dalserf Familys..I also have data on the Potters of Dalserf...there are many still here in Larkhall, Lanarkshire.. John should be remembered in his place of birth
	Angela Day	06 Feb 2022	John Borland Brown was my husband John Day's paternal grandfather

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