Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A British Empire Medal and Daily Herald Order of Industrial Heroism pair awarded to John William Ainsley, Ravensworth “Ann” and “Betty” Colliery, Co. Durham

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (John William Ainsley); ‘Daily Herald’ Order of Industrial Heroism, bronze (To J. W. Ainsley, 14th Sept. 1946) in case of issue, extremely fine (2) £1,400-£1,800

Provenance: Sotheby’s, 17 September 1992; W. H. Fevyer Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2008.

B.E.M. London Gazette 1 March 1946. ‘John William Ainsley, Pickman, Ravensworth “Ann” and “Betty” Colliery [in a joint citation with William Hazon, Undermanager, Ravensworth “Ann” and “Betty” Colliery’]:

‘A fall of roof occurred in a mine and men were set to work to clear the fall. Half an hour later a further fall occured and one man was trapped. In spite of the unsafe condition of the roof, which was only about 15 inches in height, Ainsley went forward alone and started to clear a way to the victim. After about twenty minutes Hazon arrived and took charge of the operation. He went in front of Ainsley and removed more loose stones until, lying at full length, he reached the feet of the trapped man. Helped by Ainsley and a chain of workers the casualty was dragged to safety. Ainsley and Hazon showed courage and, by their determination, saved the life of a fellow worker’.

‘Spirit of the Miners - An injured miner lay trapped. Only 14 inches above him the roof of the mine was cracking ominously after a fall. Two men went to the rescue - the undermanager and a workman. The undermanager, crawling on his stomach, grasped the trapped man by the ankles. The workman in turn scuffled the debris away with his hands and gripped the undermanager’s ankles. They pulled together to drag the trapped man out. Other miners joined in and slowly the miner was hauled to safety. A second later the roof thundered down. ....’ (Extract from the Daily Herald, 16 September 1946).

In addition to the B.E.M. and Order of Industrial Heroism, both men were awarded the Diploma of the Carnegie Hero Trust Fund, and in addition to monetary awards, each received a wrist watch from their workmates.

Sold with named Buckingham Palace enclosure to accompany the B.E.M., a photograph of Ainsley and Hazon, and copied research. See also The Order of Industrial Heroism, by Fevyer, Wilson and Cribb.