Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Hamstead Colliery Medal in gold awarded to W. D. Rose, a Miner at the Colliery, for his conspicuous bravery in attempting to rescue the entombed miners following the devastating fire on 4 March 1908

Hamstead Colliery Medal 1908, 15 ct. gold, hallmarks for Birmingham 1907, the reverse embossed and engraved 'Presented to W. D. Rose for Conspicuous Bravery in Attempting to Rescue the Entombed Miners March 1908', complete with integral top gold brooch bar, in case of issue, extremely fine £1,000-£1,400

W. H. Fevyer Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2008.

The Hamstead Colliery disaster occurred on 4 March 1908 when fire broke out near the bottom of the downcast shaft. This was believed to have been started by a candle. Poisonous fumes then built up in the roadways, trapping and killing 24 miners. In spite of the gallant efforts made by the Hamstead men - augmented by volunteers from the neighbouring Tankersley (Barnsley) and Altofts (Normanton) mine rescue brigades - to rescue their comrades, all 24 of the trapped miners perished. One of those attempting their rescue, John Welsby, also died in the disaster. In addition to the human casualties, some 76 pit ponies were also suffocated.

A total of five Edward Medals 1st Class and two 2nd Class were awarded. In addition to the Edward Medals, 40 special Hamstead Colliery Disaster Medals were struck by the Hamstead Colliery Relief Fund and were presented by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham four months after the disaster - 24 of these 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. Recipients of the gold medal were in addition awarded £25 each, recipients of the silver medal each received £10.

Sold with copied research; a photograph of the recipient; and a specimen of his signature.