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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	Frederick Thomas Bates
	British Empire Medal (Civil Division)
	Date:	1949
	Colliery:	Griff No. 4 Colliery, Nuneaton
	Occupation:	Repairer

 

Awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division):—

Frederick Thomas Bates, Repairer, Griff No. 4 Colliery, Nuneaton.

Thomas Arthur Bates, Repairer, Griff No. 4 Colliery, Nuneaton.

A fall of roof occurred in Griff No. 4 Colliery and a packer was buried under several feet of debris. T. A. Bates and his son, F. T. Bates, hurried to his assistance and made hasty efforts to support the roof. There was a further fall which buried the father up to his waist. Even in this situation of serious personal danger Bates continued to reassure and comfort the trapped man who could be heard crying out. F. T. Bates released his father, who was bruised and shaken, and the two men, working in turns, laboured for 5 hours. There was room to work only with their hands, and their nails were soon torn and bleeding. The man was trapped by one of the few remaining original supports and although it was possible that the removal of this support would result in a further collapse of roof, the two rescuers did not hesitate to cut it away and were thus able to release the packer.

Bates and his son unhesitatingly risked their lives to effect the rescue of their fellow worker.

Source: London Gazette (17 Jun 1949)

Email	Researcher	Date	Interest
	Paul Harris	16 Nov 2012	Frederick Thomas Bates was my maternal Grandfather. I have recently received his British Empire Medal and am looking for as much information as I can find regarding its award.
	alfred john harris	28 May 2013	on behalf of his daughter Laraine

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