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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	James Marron
	Edward Medal
	Date:	10 Jan 1928
	Colliery:	Acklam Iron Works, Middlesbrough
	Occupation:

 

Whitehall, April 26, 1928.

His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal to Mr. James Marron and Mr. James McMullin, in recognition of their gallantry in the following circumstances:—

On the 10th January last, while a furnace was being tapped at the Acklam Iron Works of Messrs. Dorman Long and Company, Middlesbrough, a portion of the brick flooring near the furnace was forced upwards by an explosion, and flames and several tons of molten metal belched forth. In a very short time all the ground near the furnace was covered with molten metal, flames were leaping into the air nearly fifteen feet high and it was almost impossible to see on account of steam. A man named Davies aged 76, who was employed as a cleaner, was partially overwhelmed and took refuge in a water channel surrounding the furnace. Two attempts were made to rescue him by the foreman but he was beaten back. Marron and McMullin, hearing that a man was believed to be trapped by the molten metal, ran to the scene of the explosion and jumped over the tapping channel which was then full of molten metal. At first they could see nothing on account of the steam and flames, but on the steam lifting for a few seconds they ran along the water channel where they saw Davies lying and carried him away.

Davies subsequently died from his injuries and at the inquest the jury, in returning a verdict of accidental death, commended Marron and McMullin very highly for their brave action and requested the Coroner to call attention to their conduct with a view to some recognition being accorded to them for their fearless action in the face of known danger. Although the time taken to effect the rescue was short these men ran very considerable risks of a further upheaval, of burning by flames or molten metal, of asphyxiation and of losing their way in the steam, and their bravery received high praise from their fellow workmen.

 

Whitehall, June 8, 1928.

EDWARD MEDAL.

In the notice dated the 26th April, 1928, which appears in Gazette No. 33382 of the 8th May, notifying the award of the Edward Medal to Mr. James Marron and Mr. James McMullin, for "Mr. James McMullin" read "Mr. James Mullen."

Source: London Gazette (08 May 1928)

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