Orders, Decorations and Medals

An Edward Medal awarded to Albert Dawson for a mine rescue in Yorkshire

EDWARD MEDAL, bronze (Mines) G.V.R. (Albert Henry Fowler Dawson) very fine

A miner named Bridges was removing timber in the Hickleton Main Mine, near Thurnscoe, Yorkshire, on 24 October 1922, when a fall of roof completely buried him. His workmates, Dawson and Mason, heard the fall, and went to his aid. They at once sent for Aspinall, the deputy in charge of the district, and for Parkin, the under-manager. They cleared the debris from Bridges's head, but further falls of roof occurred rendering their work of rescue very dangerous. The rescue party worked continuously throughout the night, sometimes shielding Bridges from falling stones with their own bodies, and finally freed him after more than 16 hours' work, though he unfortunately died from the shock some hours later.