Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare George VI Edward Medal for Mines in Bronze awarded to Ben Littler Jones for Gallantry at the Llysfaen Quarry, Caernarvonshire, 21 May 1938

Edward Medal (Mines), G.VI.R., 1st issue, bronze (Ben Littler Jones, 21st May, 1938) nearly very fine £3000-3500

E.M. London Gazette 9 September 1938.

‘Blasting was about to take place at the Llysfaen Quarry, Caernarvonshire, on the morning of 21st May. All the men with the exception of three - Williams, Jones and Roberts, whose duty it was to light the fuses - had been withdrawn from the danger zone.

Williams had lighted one fuse, Jones two, and Roberts three, when Roberts trod on a stone which tipped up and trapped his foot so that he could not move. The shots were timed to go off in 80 seconds, and Roberts was in imminent danger of being killed.

Williams and Jones tried to release Roberts, and failing to do so, Williams shouted to the others to pull out the fuses and promptly pulled out four himself. Jones pulled out one and Roberts the other.

In doing so they ran considerable risk: had any one of the detonators exploded, it would certainly have had a serious or even fatal results. The promptitude and courage of Williams and Jones undoubtedly saved the life of Roberts at grave risk to their own safety.’

For their gallantry Ben Littler Jones and William Williams were each awarded the Edward Medal in Bronze. With a newspaper cutting with a picture of ‘Aircraftsman I B. L. Jones of Llysfaen, Colwyn Bay, leaving the Palace after being decorated with the Edward Medal for Bravery.’

Only 23 of this type of Edward Medal issued.