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Gallantry | ||
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Awards for Gallantry
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Percy George Burgess |
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British Empire Medal (Civil Division) | |||
| Date: | 1956 | ||
| Colliery: | Penllwyngwent Colliery | ||
| Occupation: | Ripper | ||
Awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division):—
Percy George Burgess, Ripper, Penllwyngwent Colliery, Glamorganshire. (Nantymoel.)
The roof across a roadhead in the Penllwyngwent Colliery suddenly collapsed and some 25 tons of large coal and fine debris fell and completely buried two men. A cavity formed by the fall extended across the roadhead close to the coal face and up into the roof a distance of about 20 feet. Rescue operations were commenced without delay, but roof movement, continual small falls and the confined space made rescue work slow and difficult. Both the buried men could be heard calling for help and after about two hours one was released, mainly through the sustained efforts of Burgess who persisted in working in the forward position. The other man was still completely buried. Burgess continued to make determined efforts to reach him and, by burrowing through the rubbish with his hands, eventually uncovered his face. Disregarding his own safety, which was continually threatened by falls from the roof and sides of the roadhead, Burgess at last uncovered the man's legs, but before he could be removed there was a further fall and he was again completely buried.
The only possible way left to release the man was for someone to clear the newly fallen rubbish by working in the cavity. Burgess, fully aware of the very dangerous conditions, immediately volunteered and after several attempts managed to squeeze himself up into the cavity. Whilst clearing the rubbish he was trapped for an hour when one of his feet became wedged but he remained in the cavity and erected supports to protect the buried man. The rescue work was continued and the trapped miner, after being buried for about seven hours, was finally released. He was found, however, to be dead.
Source: London Gazette (03 Jul 1956)
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| Researchers | |
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| Researcher | Date | Interest | |
|---|---|---|---|
| david burgess | 22 Jul 2011 |
i am is son and would like more information about my father |
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| Sandy Blackburn | 23 Oct 2017 |
He was my grandfather |
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| david Burgess | 11 Jul 2019 |
He was my father, I would appreciate any further info on the tragedy and the subsequent BEM award and any photographs relating to this. Many thanks David John |
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