Lot 2057

Description

Royal Humane Society, medal in silver (38mm), edge engraved 'William D.Woolley 18th may 1912'. With case of issue, extremely fine.

Case 39195: William D.Woolley, Miner, Hollybush, Monmouthshire. 'At 1.40pm on the 18th May 1912, an explosion occurred at the Markham Colliery, Hollybush, Monmouthshire, caused by an ignition of gas at a depth of about 350 yards. Four men standing on the top of the pit were blown considerable distances and killed, the shaft being much damaged, the air-pipes being wrenched from their fastenings and hanging in very dangerous positions. Only one man was down the shaft at the time a sinker named Snashall, and in order to save him a rescue party, consisting of W.D.Woolley, A.T.Winborn, Jas.Leach, and L.Howells, was formed, and these descended the shaft, each man wearing the Draeger breathing apparatus, and succeeded in bringing Snashall to the surface alive. Considerable risk incurred, not only from the after-damp with which the shaft was filled, but from the dangerous position of the debris and loose hanging material through which they had to pass'. With three pages of research.