| Gallantry |
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Gallantry | ||
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Awards for Gallantry
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John George Cordey |
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Edward Medal | |||
| Date: | 08 Mar 1926 | ||
| Colliery: | North Celynen Colliery, Monmouthshire | ||
| Occupation: | |||
Whitehall, June 22, 1926.
His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal in Silver to George Coleman, and the Edward Medal to John George Cordey and Samuel Graham, employed by the Newport Abercarn Black Vein Steam Coal Company Limited, in the following circumstances:—
On March 8th, 1926, in the course of operations at the North Celynen Colliery in Monmouthshire a fall of roof to the extent of twenty tons occurred almost completely burying two colliers who were at work. Efforts were made to erect timber supports over the buried men but great care and skill were necessary in order to avoid further falls. A second fall of five tons did, indeed, take place while Coleman, the District Ambulance man, was in the act of fixing a timber. He realised that this was essential to the protection of the buried men but remained to complete his task and was himself pinned down by the fall. He was released after being buried for ten minutes and a further fall of ten tons occurred. Coleman with the help of Graham, Cordey and three other men continued the work of rescue until Coleman was pinned down by a heap of earth, being so badly bruised that he could continue his task no longer. Both the buried men were eventually extricated alive but one of them unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
Coleman was undoubtedly the outstanding figure in the rescue work. His persistent courage certainly saved the life of one of the entombed men and contributed largely to the rescue of the other. His risked his own life for over six hours in the work of rescue and displayed exceptional skill and bravery in all he did. Graham and Cordey both exhibited courage of a very high order. Their lives were, in constant danger from the continuous falls and in addition to their bravery they gave a remarkable exhibition of coolness and determination.
Source: London Gazette (29 Jun 1926)
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