A Collection of British Orders, Decorations and Medals (The Property of a Gentleman)

A bronze Edward Medal awarded to Mr Walter Russell, Mine Captain of the Adowsena Mine, Gold Coast, for gallantry in rescuing several miners after a fall of rock in the gold mine

Edward Medal (Mines), G.VI.R., 1st issue, bronze (Walter Russell, Adowsena Mine, Gold Coast.) mounted as worn, extremely fine £1500-2000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of British Orders, Decorations and Medals (The Property of a Gentleman).

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E.M. London Gazette 16 February 1943:

‘The King has been pleased to award the Edward Medal to Mr. Walter Russell, Mine Captain of the Adowsena Mine, Gold Coast, in recognition of his gallantry in the following circumstances:-

On the 6th November, 1941, a heavy fall of rock occurred at one of the stopes of the Mine, trapping six native labourers. Mr. Russell’s conduct in the rescue operations was exemplary. Without assistance he rescued two of the trapped natives, and with the help of two other Europeans working in relays, rescued two others alive after working for two hours. After a further four hours’ search the dead body of a fifth native was recovered. The search was continued for the sixth native until the Mines Inspector prohibited it on account of the danger. The slightest movement of the mass of rock might have caused a wholesale collapse of the roof, and yet it was necessary to cut away the rock in order to release two of the men. A further fall of rock did occur just after Mr. Russell started the rescue work, but this did not deter him.’

Sold with copied reports of the incident from the Chief Inspector of Mines and from Mr Walter Russell himself, together with Colonial Office Minutes on the award of the Edward Medal and an original news cutting.