Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire illuminated Award Certificate named to ‘Miss M. J. Henley in testimony of prompt and efficient aid rendered by her at a Fire on the 28th Day of January 1910 at Newbury’, signed by the Secretary of the Order, and dated 28 May 1910, glazed and framed £60-£80

The following is given by The Newbury Weekly News, 10 February 1910:

‘Quite a painful sensation was caused in the town on Thursday when it became known that the little girl, Rose Empson, had died in Newbury Hospital from the injuries received whilst taking a lesson on the previous Friday at Newbury Council Girls’ School. The girl was daughter of Mr. Richard Empson, the keeper of an eating house close by the school entrance, and she was nearly thirteen years of age. On Friday morning, she was one of a class of twelve girls, receiving instruction in the Cookery Centre, under the superintendence of the mistress. The girls were engaged in various occupations, and Rose Empson was frying sausages on the kitchen range. Mr. R. H. Jeeves, the Education Secretary, had called in on the course of his duty, to consult with Miss Henley as to the registers, and they were standing a short distance from the range which was being used. Suddenly there arose a loud scream from Rose Empson, whose pinafore had by some means caught fire. Instantly there was a scene of excitement and fright. The children rushed hither and thither, and the burning child naturally ran towards the mistress. Both Miss Henley and Mr. Jeeves tried to snatch off the burning garment, but the terror-stricken child broke away from them and ran around the room, this only serving to fan the flames and increase her danger. Miss Henley ran after her, and got her into a corner, and this time Miss Henley bravely threw herself on the burning child, rolling her over and over on the floor. Meanwhile, Mr. Jeeves, fearing a panic had managed to get the other children out of the room, and getting a bucket of water from the sink, dashed it over the still burning child. This extinguished the flames, and so far averted further danger. But the poor child was terribly burnt about the arms, neck and face, and in great pain. The head mistress (Miss Pascoe) and Mr. Jeeves took prompt steps to obtain medical assistance, and temporary measures were adopted to alleviate the pain. A cab was obtained and she was taken to the Hospital, where she was treated. The shock, however, was so severe, and the injuries so serious, that there was little hope of recovery, and the little sufferer died on Wednesday night.’