Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An Edward Medal for Industry 2nd Class posthumously awarded to Shadrach Jackson, killed while rescuing a fellow worker at the Darlaston Green Furnaces, 24 July 1912

Edward Medal (Industry), G.V.R., 2nd Class, 1st issue, with 2nd type reverse, gilded bronze (Shadrach Jackson) in case of issue, edge bruise, good very fine £1000-1400

E.M. 2nd Class London Gazette 27 September 1912.

‘His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal of the Second Class to Llewellyn Ince, Arthur Darby, and Shadrach Speke, and also to the widow of Shadrach Jackson under the following circumstances:-

On the 24th of July, 1912, a man named Heald descended into a melting furnace thirty feet high at the Darlaston Green Furnaces in order to adjust a piece of scrap iron under which some coke had to be placed. Heald descended into the furnace by a chain, and was almost immediately overcome by noxious gas which had collected there owing to damp. A man standing at the top at once gave the alarm, and Shadrach Jackson and Ince came to his assistance. Jackson without hesitation slid down the chain, and a rope was thrown to him, which he tied round Heald, who was then pulled up, Jackson climbing up the chain after him. As Jackson, however, reached the door through which Heald was being pulled, he too was overcome by the gas and fell back to the bottom of the furnace. Ince then descended and placed a rope round Jackson's body, but unfortunately it slipped off before the man could be pulled out, though Ince, feeling that he was being overcome by the gas, climbed up the chain and escaped. On recovering Ince went down a second time, once more tied the rope round Jackson, but again failed to bring him to the surface, though he himself escaped by a ladder which had been brought. Arthur Darby then went down the ladder with a rope, which was attached to Jackson's belt, but unfortunately the belt gave way. On Darby coming out Speke went down, and, the rope having been more securely tied round Jackson's body, he was extricated, though unhappily it was found on reaching the surface that he was dead. All the men were fully aware of the great risk to which they repeatedly exposed themselves.’