Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Order of St.John Lifesaving Medal, 2nd type, silver (Presented to David Mitchell, 1913) in Carrington, London case of issue; South African Memorial Brooch, bronze, reverse numbered, ‘6057’, nearly extremely fine (2) £600-800

To DAVID MITCHELL (Shift Boss) and SIMON TERWEE (Hand Stoper), Silver Medals:

‘On January 15th, 1913, on the Main Reef West Mine, Maraisburg, a white miner named Arthur Smith was working with four natives at the end of a drive about 500 feet long when, through some unknown means, a box containing gelatine, in the drive about sixty feet away from where Smith and his boys were working, caught fire, and gave off fumes of carbon monoxide, a most poisonous gas. Smith and his natives appear to have been too frightened to dash past the burning gelatine and remained at the end of the drive, from which there was no other escape. Meanwhile the dense smoke had been noticed by miners in other parts of the mine, amongst whom were David Mitchell and Simon Terwee, who independently made unsuccessful attempts to get through the poisonous gases. On meeting subsequently they together made a second attempt. They had the full length of the drive to travel, and this time they succeeded in reaching Smith and his natives, who were huddled together at the dead end and were nearly all overcome by the noxious fumes. Smith and his natives were brought out and on their being conveyed to the surface oxygen was applied. Smith and three of the natives unfortunately died that same day, but the lives of four natives were undoubtedly saved.

The death roll shows the danger to which the rescuers (who were not supplied with rescue breathing apparatus) were exposed. By command of His Royal Highness the Grand Prior, arrangements have been made for the presentation of the medals awarded to Mr. Cloate, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Terwee.’

David Mitchell served in the Second Boer War with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and was awarded the Q.S.A. with clasps for Cape Colony, Paadeberg and Johannesburg. During the Natal Rebellion he served with the Natal Rangers and was awarded the medal with clasp. Prior to the Great War he was employed as a Miner. Awarded the Order of St. John Lifesaving Medal in 1913 for a daring rescue of fellow miners at the Main Reef West Mine, at Maraisburg. With the onset of the Great War he enlisted into the South African Army on 16 August 1915. With the 4th South African Infantry he served in France and was wounded - gun shot wound to the right knee, 8 December 1917 - and was invalided to England. He was discharged from hospital on 30 December 1917 and returned to South Africa in December 1918. He was discharged on 10 January 1919. With copied Great War service papers and other research.

His son, David Harry Mitchell, served in the Second World War as a 2nd Lieutenant in No. 22 Squadron, South African Air Force. He was killed in an air crash, 15 December 1942, aged 29 years and was buried in the Durban (Stellawood) Cemetery. He was the son of David and Caroline Mitchell and husband of Cavell E. M. Mitchell, of Durban. With original slip to accompany the Memorial Brooch sent to Mrs Mitchell and registered envelope addressed to ‘Mrs C. E. M. Lambert (sic), 120 Lambert Road, Durban’.