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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	Nicholas Whitehead
	Edward Medal
	Date:	23 Apr 1930
	Colliery:	Derwent Works, Workington
	Occupation:	Painter's Labourer

 

Whitehall, July 8; 1930.

His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal to Thomas Pearson Fleming and Nicholas Whitehead in recognition of their gallantry in the following circumstances:—

On the 23rd April, 1930, Thomas Brewis was engaged on painting a chimney 163 feet high at the Derwent Works of the United Steel Companies Ltd., Workington, when he was seen to fall backwards, apparently unconscious, and to be hanging head downwards at a height of about 150 feet. Luckily, as he fell, his feet had become entangled and were held in the ropes of the bosun's chair in which he had ascended. On observing Brewis' position, the charge-hand, Fleming, who was stationed on a gantry surrounding the chimney about 80 feet from its base, immediately secured the rope on which Brewis' chair was suspended and, climbing a vertical iron ladder fixed to the chimney, supported the body of Brewis, who was still unconscious. Meanwhile, Whitehead, a painter's labourer aged 17 years, ascended the ladder from the gantry and placed a safety belt around Brewis. Fleming and Whitehead then lifted Brewis into the bosun's chair and secured him there by the hook of the safety belt. In doing so, Fleming's body was inclined at an angle of about 60 degrees to the vertical ladder. Fleming and Whitehead then came down the ladder steadying and supporting Brewis while the chair was lowered by other workmen to the gantry. Both Fleming and Whitehead incurred serious risks and displayed conspicuous gallantry and resource in effecting the successful rescue of Brewis.

Source: London Gazette (26 Jul 1930)

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