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	Gallantry		Gallantry

	Morgan Thomas Teague
	British Empire Medal (Civil Division)
	Date:	30 Jun 1949
	Colliery:	Arthur and Edward Colliery, Forest of Dean
	Occupation:	Pumpsman

 

St. James's Palace, S.W.1.

1st November, 1949.

The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the undermentioned appointments to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for the following awards of the British Empire Medal, and for the publication in the London Gazette of the names of those specially shown below as having received an expression of Commendation for their brave conduct.

Awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division):—

Cecil Stanley Brazington, Pumpsman, Arthur and Edward Colliery, Forest of Dean. (Lydbrook, Gloucestershire.)

Albert Harold Morgan, Underground Fitter, Arthur and Edward Colliery, Forest of Dean. (Upper Lydbrook, Gloucestershire.)

Morgan Thomas Teague, Pumpsman, Arthur and Edward Colliery, Forest of Dean. (Lydbrook, Gloucestershire.)

Henry Edward Toomer, Onsetter, Arthur and Edward Colliery, Forest of Dean. (Newham Bottom, Gloucestershire.)

An accidental contact with disused workings containing a large accumulation of water at the Arthur and Edward Colliery, caused the pit bottom roads to become flooded, thus cutting off the main ventilation of the mine and preventing access to the surface by the main shafts. The water rose eight feet, then overflowed into dip workings.

When the water burst into the mine, Morgan was sent to the surface. He volunteered to return down the pit to examine the pumps and switchgear. He then remained underground assisting the men through the rising water in the pit bottom to the cage. His cheerful and courageous manner prevented panic amongst the men. As the water rose he carried at least twelve men through the deepest part and got them to the cage. Towards the end when the water was only eight inches from the roof, he went out to meet the last party of officials and men, some of whom were exhausted and in great difficulty, and brought them to the cage. He was one of the last to leave the pit.

Brazington, Teague and Toomer formed a team and manned the pit bottom and cage to get the men out of the mine. They were working in water which rose to their necks and practically sealed the shaft bottom road before they withdrew after a struggle lasting two and a half hours. Acting on the initiative and foresight of Toomer, they arranged a line of full tubs through the deep water next to the shaft and thus enabled many men to reach the shaft who might otherwise have failed to do so. Brazington and Teague then lifted men out of the water and over the platform to the cage. When the normal electric shaft signals became submerged by the rising water, Toomer rode up and down the shaft on top of the cage to enable him to use the auxiliary signal.

The four rescuers although fully aware of the dangers involved did not hesitate to risk their lives in order to save their fellow workmen.

King's Commendation for Brave Conduct

George Jesse Beard, Training Officer, Arthur and Edward Colliery, Forest of Dean. (Cinderford, Gloucestershire.)

For services when an accident occurred in a mine.

Source: London Gazette (01 Nov 1949)

Email	Researcher	Date	Interest
	cynthia fisher	12 May 2020	My 2nd Great Grandfather was Enoch Teague, b.1830 Lydbrook, d.12 feb 1908, his Father was Thomas Teague,b.1797 d.1837. His Mother was Mary,b.1800 d.1868 trying to find out about my ancestors and the Forest of Dean history.

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