Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The ‘mine rescue’ George Cross (exchange Edward Medal) awarded to Sydney Blackburn, a Shotfirer at the Barnsley Main Colliery, Yorkshire, who guided survivors to safety and gave assistance to injured men after an explosion occurred at the mine in May 1947, killing 9 men and injuring 23

George Cross (Sydney Blackburn 1947) mounted on original investiture pin and in its Royal Mint case of issue; Jubilee 1977, unnamed as issued in its Royal Mint card box of issue; together with St John Ambulance Association re-examination medal (A156023 Sidney Blackburn) with 7 dated bars 1954-62, all named, and The Carnegie Hero Fund Trust, certificate on vellum ‘Presented by the Trustees to Sidney Blackburn, Worsborough Bridge, near Barnsley, in recognition of Heroic Endeavour to Save Human Life on 7th May 1947’, extremely fine (2) £10,000-£12,000

Edward Medal London Gazette 21 November 1947:
‘The King has been pleased to award the Edward Medal to Harry Crummack and Sydney Blackburn in recognition of their gallantry in the following circumstances:-
An explosion occurred at Barnsley Main Colliery at about 12.15 p.m. on Wednesday the 7th May last. Harry Crummack, Chargeman Filler, and Sydney Blackburn, Shotfirer, were at the end of the face away from the resulting flame; Crummack was blown over by a great gust of wind caused by the explosion but quickly recovered and with Blackburn, despite fumes and dust, assembled men who had scrambled from the face and led them to a place of safety. Returning they found a number of injured men to whom they gave assistance and then proceeded through fumes and clouds of dust in search of others. Both men, while taking every reasonable precaution, continued to disregard their own personal safety in their efforts to ensure that none of the victims were left unattended in the danger area.’

Harry Crummack and Sydney Blackburn were both decorated with the Edward Medal by King George VI and an Investiture at Buckingham Palace on 16 December 1947. Only Sydney Blackburn lived long enough for his Medal to be converted to the George Cross, which took place at an Investiture at Buckingham Palace on 8 November 1972, when he received the G.C. from the Queen.

Sydney Blackburn was born on 15 July 1908, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, one of ten children of Samuel and Lucy Blackburn (née Ashmore). Sadly three of the children died as infants, two during the 1926 Miner’s Strike. The surviving children other than Sydney, were Annie, Edna, Samuel, Cyril, Arthur and Olive. Syd, as he preferred to be known, attended St Thomas’ Church School in Worsbrough Dale. At the age of 14, he left school to begin work in the pits, as a tramer for his father at Barrow Colliery.

He received no wages for his job, only a small sum from his father, and this enabled him to earn more as he was paid by the tram load. Syd married Norah Jagger in 1932, and they had a daughter, Wendy. Syd soon moved on from Barrow Colliery, and began work at Barnsley Main Colliery as a shotfirer, and it was there that on 7 May 1947, his gallantry action would take place.

On 21 November 1947, the London Gazette announced the award of Edward Medals in Bronze to Harry Crummack and Sydney Blackburn. He received his medal alongside Harry at Buckingham Palace in December 1947. Syd returned down the pits at Barnsley Main soon after the incident, and remained in the occupation until an accident left him with a broken neck and lucky to be alive. He had recently become a Deputy and was part of the NACODS Trade Union, and decided that having cheated death, it was time to retire.

In 1971, following the change of the Royal Warrant, Syd elected to exchange his Edward Medal for a George Cross. He donated the Edward Medal to Leeds City Museum. In retirement, he enjoyed gardening and spending time with his brothers Sam and Cyril at Barrow Working Men’s Club. Syd passed away on 15 December 1991, in Barnsley and was cremated at Barnsley Crematorium. His ashes were scattered in the North Glade.

Sold with a quantity of original documents including named award certificate for Jubilee Medal; Home Office letters advising of award of E.M. and investiture for same; National Coal Board letter of congratulations on award of E.M.; Investiture admission pass; Home Office letter of 11 April 1969, advising of entitlement to a tax-free annual gratuity of £100; Home Office letter of 17 November 1972, advising Blackburn that his Edward Medal, in exchange for the George Cross, has been presented to the Leeds City Museum in accordance with his wishes; 13 contemporary news cuttings concerning the award of the “Miners’ V.C. for Barnsley Main men” and two later ones of him receiving the exchange G.C. in 1972; 23 photographs covering the original investiture, the visit of King George and Queen Elizabeth to Yorkshire in September 1948, on which occasion Blackburn was presented to them both, as well as others of the later investiture in 1972 and various V.C. and G.C. Association ceremonies; a good quantity of Christmas Cards and invitations from the V.C. and G.C. Association to various receptions, reunion dinners, services of remembrance and re-dedication, etc.; together with a signed copy of Allan Stanistreet’s ‘Gainst All Disaster with in excess of 50 V.C. and G.C. autographs.