Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

‘Slopers’ Medal of Valour (Presented to John Jones for his courageous conduct at Aberaman Colliery, “The Sloperies”, Decr. 7 1889), 36mm., silver, complete with silver brooch bar, in case of issue, extremely fine, rare £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Life Saving, Police and Fire Brigade Medals from the James N Spencer Collection.

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Ex Spink 12 April 1990, lot 123.

The “Sloper’s Silver Medal for Valour” awarded to John Jones, for his courageous actions in rescuing a fellow workman at Aberaman Colliery.

‘It appears that a man named Charles Swift, collier, employed at the Powell Duffryn Colliery Company’s Aberaman Colliery, was working in a piece of ‘waste’, when an accumulation of gas overpowered him, and he sank insensible to the ground. Some fellow workmen hard by at once rushed to his assistance, but had to retire almost in a state of suffocation. Three attempts were made, and afterwards the foreman was sent for, who, accompanied by John Jones, rapidly covered the quarter mile to the spot. All the hopes of the bystanders was gone when Jones went in, and rendered breathless by the foul gas, endeavoured to pull the body out. But alas! He failed! Joining hands with the others, he again endeavoured, but his efforts were fruitless. The gallant fellow then called for a double set of linked hands, but was unable to get them. A leading chain was procured, and John fastened the end to the insensible man’s waist, and attempts were made to pull the body out by that means, but unfortunately the chain broke. Another was procured, and again John heroically, at the risk of his own life, fastened the chain around the comatose man, who was at last pulled out from his perilous position. When he remained insensible for two hours, his first act on coming to himself being to pounce upon Jones and bite him upon his left arm, inflicting a flesh wound. Of course this was due to muscular reaction. Had it not been for Jones who was the only one who had sufficient temerity to handle the insensible body Swift would have died in his comatose state. The gallant rescuer lives at 273 Cardiff Road, Aberaman. (Extract from the magazine Ally Sloper’s Half Hour, 7 December 1889)