Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The unique and highly emotive 'posthumous' Hamstead Colliery Disaster Medal in Gold awarded to 'the Altofts Hero' J. Welsby, for his gallantry in attempting to rescue at great personal risk 24 entombed miners following a terrible fire at the colliery, 4 March 1908, and laying down his own life in the process. For his conspicuous bravery he was also awarded a posthumous Edward Medal (Mines) in Bronze

Hamstead Colliery Medal 1908, 15 ct. gold, hallmarks for Birmingham 1907, the reverse embossed and engraved 'Presented to John Welsby (Deceased) for Conspicuous Bravery in Attempting to Rescue the Entombed Miners March 1908', lacking top suspension bar, in case of issue, minor edge bruise, good very fine £1600-2000

E.M. London Gazette 27 July 1908 John Welsby (in a joint citation with James Hopwood, James Whittingham, James Cranswick, John Henry Thorne, and Walter Clifford [all awarded the Edward Medal (Mines) in Silver]; and Joseph Outram [awarded the Edward Medal (Mines) in Bronze]):

'On the 4th March, 1908, a fire broke out at the Hamstead Colliery; 24 miners were entombed. The above named miners descended the mine at various times at great personal risk to rescue the miners. They were provided with oxygen apparatus, but were unable to effect their object.'

'Hamstead Colliery, near Birmingham, suffered a disastrous fire on the 4th March, 1908, whereby 24 miners were entombed. Rescue attempts by the Hamstead men were augmented by the efforts of volunteers from the neighbouring Tankersley (Barnsley) and Altofts (Normanton) Mine Rescue Brigades. John Welsby, from Altofts, was involved in the third rescue attempt, and he descended into the pit wearing life saving apparatus. He was working with another Yorkshireman, James Whittingham, and in their anxiety to travese the workings as far as possible, they used up too much of their oxygen supply. When some 800-900 yards from the bottom of the shaft Welsby discovered that his supply of oxygen was running out. They tried to return but Whittingham soon found that his comrade was becoming faint. With great gallantry, Whittingham helped him along as best he could in a passage that was only 4' 6" in height, whilst encumbered with a breathing apparatus weighing 35 lbs., through smoke which was encompassing them like a wall, but they had not travelled far when he collapsed. Whittingham did not leave him. There was no help near and they were at least 500 yards from a place of safety. First carrying and then dragging his comrade, he pressed forward, but overcome with exhaustion and finding his own oxygen had nearly spent itself, he was reluctantly compelled to leave Welsby behind. He placed a lamp beside him so that he might easily be found when other assistance could be obtained. There were two other men in the pit, but they had taken another direction. When the cage was drawn up, Whittingham was distressed and scarcely able to explain himself. Another party went down. Their progress was slow and painful owing to the increasing density of the smoke, and before they could reach Welsby their stock of oxygen had become dangerously low, and there was nothing for it but to return. A consultation was held, and it was decided that it would be an unwarrantable risk of life to make any further attempt to rescue Welsby. His body was recovered several days later, still wearing his smoke helmet.' (Yorkshire Evening Post, 6 March 1908 refers). In spite of their valourous efforts, all of the twenty-four trapped miners died.

John Welsby was born in Liverpool in 1877 and was employed at Pope and Pearson's Colliery, Altofts. 'A member of the local ambulance class, he had rendered valuable aid to injured comrades on several occasions, and was also proficient in the use of oxygen apparatus in the mine. Last Thursday week he was brought out of the pit to go to Hamstead. So urgent was the call that he had not time to go home to bid his wife and two children good-bye, but they were told of his going by the messenger who went to the house for his clothes. The next that his widow heard of him was when Mrs. Garford, the wife of the Chairman of the Colliery, called personally at the house to inform her of her husband's death.' (Yorkshire Evening Post, 16 March 1908 refers). Over 6,000 miners lined his funeral route. A local road, Welsby Avenue, was later named in his honour.

24 Hamstead Colliery Disaster Medals were awarded in gold to those miners who took part in the rescue operations, as well as to the Government Inspectors and officials who directed underground operations at great personal risk; and a further 16 in silver to the local miners who assisted in the later exploration work. In addition, 5 Silver and 2 Bronze Edward Medals (Mines) were awarded. John Welsby's widow received his Edward Medal (Mines) from H.M. King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace.

Sold together with a portrait of the recipient and various photographic images of the recipient's funeral procession.