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Gallantry | ||
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Awards for Gallantry
Robert Silcock |
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King's Commendation for Brave Conduct | |||
| Date: | 13 Nov 1947 | ||
| Colliery: | Maypole Colliery, Lancashire | ||
| Occupation: | Fireman | ||
Awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division):—
John Silcock, Collier, Maypole Colliery, Lancashire. (Bickershaw, near Wigan.)
A fall of roof occurred at Maypole Colliery, Lancashire, on 13th November, 1947, and a collier was trapped in a narrow space by a large stone which fell from a roof slip and pinned him to the floor. Shortly afterwards a second fall of roof occurred which completely buried the man.
Aid arrived quickly, but only two men could work in the narrow cul-de-sac. Silcock stood up in the cavity holding back the sides, and protecting with his body the men who worked below him to liberate the buried collier.
After an hour the man's body was extricated. During this period, owing to the time which would have been taken in any attempt to secure the roof, even temporarily, the work was carried on under an unsupported and uneasy roof.
Silcock was exposed throughout to any further falls that might have occurred, and showed great courage without regard for his personal safety.
King's Commendations for Brave Conduct.
Robert Silcock, Fireman, Maypole Colliery, Lancashire. (Orrell, near Wigan.)
James Yates, Collier, Maypole Colliery, Lancashire. (Higher Ince, near Wigan.)
For services when an accident occurred in a mine.
Source: London Gazette (30 Jul 1948)
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