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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	Bertie Tanner
	Edward Medal
	Date:	19 Dec 1925
	Colliery:	Barry Docks
	Occupation:	Hydraulic Packer

 

Whitehall, April 23, 1926.

His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal to Bertie Tanner, a hydraulic packer, in the following circumstances:—

On the 19th December, 1925, five men were engaged on an inspection of the lower chambers of one of the lock gates at the Barry Docks when an explosion of Marsh gas occurred and the workers were overcome by the fumes. The interior of the gate was wet and slimy and the only means of reaching the men was by a narrow iron ladder. Tanner, who was on watch at the top of the gate, immediately descended. He assisted one man to the surface and again and again descended the ladder until he had brought out three of the men. One man was still left and Tanner again went down but was forced to retire owing to the fumes. By this time other assistance had arrived and Tanner again descended and with the help of others succeeded in bringing the fifth man's unconscious body to the surface.

Tanner showed great courage and perseverance in continuing at his work of rescue until all the men had been brought up. He descended no less than six times — on the first five occasions into utter darkness without any light. He did not know the nature of the explosion and the danger of slipping on the slimy ironwork was considerable. The risks he ran were serious as had he been overcome by the fumes or fallen from the ladder he would probably have been killed, and his promptitude, coolness, resource and pertinacity were remarkable. Three of the men rescued were severely burnt and the last man brought to the surface unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.

Source: London Gazette (04 May 1926)

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