Auction Catalogue

30 March 2011

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 562

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30 March 2011

Hammer Price:
£3,400

An Edward Medal for Mines in Silver awarded to Francis Chandler for Gallantry at the Hoyland Silkstone Colliery, Barnsley, West Yorkshire, on 23 November 1907 - one of the first recipients of the Edward Medal

Edward Medal (Mines), E.VII.R., silver (Francis Chandler) some edge bruising and contact marks, very fine £2500-3000

E.M. London Gazette 28 February 1908.

‘Chandler, who is sixty years of age, was engaged with five others in repairing an underground boiler house, when a fall of roof took place which broke an iron girder and damaged the boiler, from which a rush of steam took place. All the men were scalded and hurt; one was killed on the spot and three others died afterwards. The lamps were extinguished. Although badly burnt and hurt, Chandler crept in the dark three times through the steam to the boiler top, to rescue others who could not move, at the risk of his own life. Being then unable to do more alone, he signalled to the pit top and was drawn up. Although almost exhausted he insisted on again descending the pit to assist in the rescue. His son was one of the victims of the disaster.’

With copied newspaper cutting relating to the rescue and subsequent award of the Edward Medal.