Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Hamstead Colliery Medal awarded to W. D. Rose, a Miner at the Colliery, for conspicuous bravery in attempting to rescue the entombed miners

Hamstead Colliery Medal 1908, 15 ct. gold (W. D. Rose) hallmarks for Birmingham 1907, complete with gold brooch bar, in case of issue, extremely fine £900-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Life Saving Awards formed by The Late W.H. Fevyer.

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The Hamstead Colliery disaster occured on 4th March 1908 when fire broke out near the bottom of the downcast shaft. This was believed to have been started by a candle. Poisonous fumes then built up in the roadways, trapping and killing 24 miners. In spite of the gallant efforts made by the Hamstead men, augmented by volunteers from the neighbouring Tankersley (Barnsley) and Altofts (Normanton) mine rescue brigades, to rescue their comrades, all twenty-four of the trapped miners perished. One of those attempting their rescue, John Welsby, also died in the disaster. In addition to the human casualties, some 76 pit ponies were also suffocated.

A total of five Edward Medals 1st Class and two 2nd Class were awarded. In addition to the Edward Medals, 40 special Hamstead Colliery Disaster Medals were struck by the Hamstead Colliery Relief Fund and were presented by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham four months after the disaster - 24 of these were issued in gold and 16 in silver. Recipients of the gold medal were in addition awarded £25 each, recipients of the silver medal each received £10.

Sold with copied reseach, a photograph of the recipient and his signature.