Awards for Gallantry
|
Isaac Herdman |
|
Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct |
| Date: | 1954 |
| Colliery: | Markham No. 2 Colliery |
| Occupation: | Nursing Officer |
Awarded the George Medal:—
Harry Wright, Manager, Markham No. 2 Colliery, National Coal Board. (Duckmanton, Derbyshire.)
Awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division):—
Reginald Hingley, Face Worker, Markham No. 2 Colliery, National Coal Board. (Mastin Moor, Derbyshire.)
Edgar Woodward, Face Worker, Markham No. 2 Colliery, National Coal Board. (Newbold Moor, Derbyshire.)
A packer was trapped by a fall of roof in the right hand pack hole of the Ell Coal Seam, and was completely buried except for his head and right arm. The fallen stone had shattered and the main body of the fall was sustained by a heap of debris.
Attempts to release the man were made by the remaining nine men in the district but they were unable to make progress and a further fall appeared to be imminent.
Mr. Wright, the Manager, then arrived on the scene and assumed control of the position. The trapped man was fully conscious and in good spirits and was given a morphia injection. Wright established himself in the fallen pack hole and began removing stones and applying necessary struts to enable the victim to be released. He was ably assisted in this work by Hingley and Woodward who passed the stones back and relayed the timber struts cut to the Manager's requirements. Wright exposed himself to the risk of personal injury from further falls for the best part of two hours and eventually sufficient debris was removed from the trapped man to enable him to be drawn through a hole 11 inches high and 16 inches wide from under the fall.
Wright displayed initiative, outstanding leadership and courage in the face of grave personal danger, and was supported by Hingley and Woodward who showed courage and fortitude in an effort of common endeavour in the face of grave personal danger.
Queen's Commenendation for Brave Conduct.
Isaac Herdman, Nursing Officer, Markham No. 2 Colliery, National Coal Board. (Duckmanton, Derbyshire.)
For services when an accident occurred in a mine.
Source: London Gazette (28 Sep 1954)
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