Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Edward Medal for Mines in Silver awarded to John Jones for gallantry at the Witwatersrand gold mine, Johannesburg, 14 January 1909

Edward Medal (Mines), E.VII.R., silver (John Jones) in damaged case of issue, minor edge bruise, nearly extremely fine
£3000-3500

‘[On 14 January 1909] A native workman was overcome by gas at the bottom of the Witwatersrand Gold-mine, Johannesburg. Two men, named Owen and Griffiths, descended the mine to rescue him. With the help of Jones, who followed, the native was drawn up; but Owen, overcome by the gas, fell to the bottom of the shaft. Griffiths also was overcome, and Jones became unconscious on reaching the surface. Others went down, and one of them was unable to return. As soon as Jones regained consciousness, he insisted on again descending the mine, and succeeded in bringing up two of the men. He then descended the mine a third time and brought the last man, Griffiths, to the surface. Unfortunately Griffiths, Owen, and the native workman who first went down all succumbed later to the effects of the gas.’ (Ref. Gallantry, by Wilson & McEwen).

John Jones was a British miner, formerly living at Llanrug, Carnarvonshire, who came to Johannesburg in 1902. Employed by the Witwatersrand Gold Mining Co. Ltd., on 14 January 1909 he made three heroic attempts to rescue a native worker and others who had been overcome by gas in the mine. For his great bravery, at peril of his life, Jones was awarded the Edward Medal for Mines in Silver.

Jones was presented with the medal by High Commissioner for South Africa and Governor of the Transvaal, Lord Selborne, at the Witwatersrand Mine Recreation Hall on 12 June 1909.

With several original papers, including: Permit to enter and reside in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, dated 3 December 1902; a letter of congratulations for his rescue attempt from the Witwatersrand Cambrian Society, dated 21 January 1909; a letter from the Chairman of the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Co. Ltd., dated 3 May 1909, informing Jones of the award and offering their congratulations; another letter from the Chairman of the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Co. Ltd., dated 9 June 1909, informing Jones of the details of the award ceremony; and an admission card to the presentation (all papers damaged or worn). With a photocopied photograph of the recipient and copied extract from Gallantry.