Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare ‘silver’ Edward Medal for Mines awarded to Jeffrey Fletcher for a pit rescue in Monmouthshire
Edward Medal (Mines), G.V.R., Silver (Jeffrey Fletcher), extremely fine £800-1000

Edward Medal, in silver London Gazette 16 July 1920. ‘A repairer named Jones was engaged on work in an air pit at the West Elliot Colliery in Monmouthshire on 2 January 1920, when a fall of rubbish occurred and Jones found himself entirely buried and tightly pinned down, though able to breathe owing to the looseness of the earth. His son, who was nearby, heard his father’s shouts and hurried for help. Fletcher, with other men, arrived on the scene and, for nearly three hours, in spite of the possibility of a further big fall, proceeded gradually to uncover Jones to below the shoulders, encouraging him by cheerful talk. No foundation could be obtained to put in supports to the rubbish which was constantly moving. Further falls occurred, and Jones was again buried up to the neck. After many attempts, lasting over a further three hours, during which time Fletcher fed Jones with stimulants, he found it possible to release the latter, and rescued him practically uninjured. Fletcher was in the hole for about five hours, during which time he ran the risk of being buried by falls from the loose rubbish coming from above. He showed great initiative, coolness, and bravery while he himself was exposed to very great danger.’

A total of 77 Edward Medals in silver were awarded between 1908 and 1971, of which 31 were issued in the reign of George V.