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Lot 325
COMMODE à façade galbée en bois de placage et marqueterie ouvrant par trois tiroirs sur trois rangs et reposant sur quatre pieds droits. Ornementation de bronze doré aux montants sabots poignées et entrées de serrures. Dessus de marbre rapporté. En partie d`époque Louis XV Haut :84 cm Larg :129 cm Prof 59 cm (restaurations)
Lot 332
MOBILIER DE SALON en acajou et bronze doré comprenant une banquette deux chaises et deux fauteuils à décor de têtes de sphinges et palmettes. Style Empire XIXème siècle Haut : 96 cm Larg : 127 cm Prof :54 cm (canapé) Haut : 96 cm larg : 63 cm Prof : 54 cm (fauteuil) Haut : 93 cm Larg : 50 cm Prof : 45 cm (chaise)
Lot 744
A pair of french bronze candlesticks, late 19th century, the sconces moulded with ivy leaves, the stems with snails, on tripod hoof feet, later converted to electricity, the candlesticks 27cm high(2)(It is the buyer's responsibility to ensure that electrical items are professionally re-wired for use.)
Lot 34
A late 19c German bracket clock with bevelled spring ting tang movement by Winterhalder & Hoffmeier chiming on two gongs. The arched brass dial has silver chapter ring and subsidiary dials for pendulum regulation and chime/silent. It is contained in an oak round topped case set with bronze mounts, feet, side frets and finials and surrounded by a bronze figure of Perseus, the clock stands 22"" tall.
Lot 66
An important Napoleon III gilt bronze champleve enamel mounted ebony parquetry casket with original silk lined interior by Maison Alphonse Giroux, Paris, third quarter 19th century. The casket is applied overall with pierced arabesque strapwork set with enamel on a cube parquetry ground, the sides with loop handles, the lock plate engraved `Alph. Giroux et cie Paris`, 7.25""h, 14""w, 10.25""deep.
Lot 3
A Fine 'Mining' Albert Medal, 2nd Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life on Land to Samuel Spruce, An Engineer from Tamworth Pit Who Came to the Aide of Those Trapped by the Baddesley Colliery Disaster, 2.5.1882Albert Medal, 2nd Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life on Land, bronze and enamel, the reverse officially engraved, 'Presented in the name of Her Majesty to Samuel Spruce Mining Engineer for endeavouring to save life At The Baddesley Colliery May 1882', reverse of the crown with maker’s cartouche Phillips Cockspur S, and officially numbered 'No. 51', extremely fine, with original narrow riband, gold top riband bar and in Phillips Bros. & Son named leather case of issuesold with a privately printed booklet entitled Albert Medals For Bravery On Land, Awarded By Her Majesty The Queen, For Conspicuous Gallantry Displayed On The Occasion Of The Fire And Explosion At Baddesley Colliery, In May 1882 - printed at the expense of the Chesterfield and Derbyshire Institute of Mining, Civil, and Mechanical Engineers, 1883 (lot) A.M. London Gazette 12.1.1883 Mr. Samuel Spruce, Minining Engineer, in joint citation with Reuben Smallman, Mining Engineer; Arthur Henry Stokes, Inspector of Mines; Charles Day, Collier and Charles Chetwynd, Collier (all Albert Medals First Class); and to Frederick Samuel Marsh, Certified Colliery Manager; Thomas Harry Mottram, Certified Colliery Manager; William Morris, Collier; William Pickering, Collier and Joseph Chetwynd, Collier (all, like Spruce, Albert Medals Second Class), 'For conspicuous gallantry displayed on the occasion of the Fire and Explosion at the Baddesley Colliery in May last.'Heroic Endeavour by D.V. Henderson, G.M., offers further insight on the Baddesley (also known as Baxterley) Colliery Disaster, 'At 9am an explosion centred around a small water pump intensified the problems previously created by a fire which had been raging for several hours. The fire had trapped nine men on the night shift and an attempt to reach them was in progress at the time of the explosion which caused serious injuries amongst the rescuers. Half an hour later a second rescue party led by Arthur Henry Stokes went down to deal with casualties and the effects of the explosion having to cope with dense smoke and carbon dioxide fumes. They were also joined by uninjured members of the first party but work had to be abandoned in the afternoon due to the dense smoke and gas.'The biographical section on Spruce in the privately printed booklet included with the lot states, 'Mr Samuel Spruce, mining engineer, Tamworth, on hearing of the fire at the Baddesley Colliery, and that nine miners were entombed, hastened to the spot, in the hope that his long and varied experience might be of service. On arriving at the pit top, he found that an explosion had occured, and that many explorers were burned, and that Mr. Dugdale, with others, was still in the mine. After receiving an account of the accident from Mr. Smallman, he immediately volunteered to go down, and with Mr. Stokes organised and assisted in the first party which entered the pit after the explosion, and proceeded along that perilous route already described until Mr. Dugdale was found and rescued. Having no personal acquaintance with the workings of the colliery, being far advanced in life, and knowing so well the imminent danger incurred by anyone entering the mine, he displayed an act of conspicuous bravery.'A letter (held by the Warwickshire County Record Office) written by Frederick Marsh (the Colliery Manager) to a Miss Gilbert, dated 14.6.1882 gives the following, 'still further in were nine men and a boy, who could not get past the fire in consequence of the smoke, so a party of 36 explorers went to find them and help them out, but whilst doing so a terrific explosion of gas occurred, some distance away but the flames completely filled the roads, and there was nothing to breathe but one dense mass of flame, all were heavily scorched and burnt it was just at this time I arrived at the pit with the inspector and was volunteered to go down and get them out but just as we were starting down the pit another mass of gas exploded and filled everywhere with flame, but by stuffing our caps in our mouths we managed not to breathe any of it, and burying our faces in our coat sleeves were not burnt except a little hair, so we made another attempt and got out pretty easily. 33 of the explorers all alive could not possibly be alive so we closed them in and shut up the pit where they will be for some some weeks yet, as well as 11 horses that were burnt, it was the most sickly sight to be imagined.'Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
![The Superb and Rare Edward Medal (Mines) Pair to Harry Robinson [G.C.], For His Gallantry During the Louisa Colliery Disaster](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/PK/1141/2911301/14002_11_1-201472113142_468x382.jpg)
Lot 11
The Superb and Rare Edward Medal (Mines) Pair to Harry Robinson [G.C.], For His Gallantry During the Louisa Colliery Disaster, County Durham, 22.8.1947a) Edward Medal (Mines), G.VI.R., 1st type, silver (Harry Robinson, Louisa Colliery, Durham, 22 Aug. 1947.), surname partially officially correctedb) Jubilee 1977, very fine, mounted as originally worn (2) E.M. London Gazette 20.7.1948 Harry Robinson, Deputy, Louisa Colliery, in joint citation with William Younger, Joseph Shanley and John Hutchinson, 'Shortly before midnight on the 22nd August, 1947, a serious explosion of fire damp coal and coal dust occurred in the Louisa Old Section of Louisa Colliery, Durham. William Younger, Joseph Shanley and Harry Robinson, Deputies, who with an intimate knowledge of the main roads and ventilating circuits of the mine could have made their way quite easily to safety, went instantly to the scene of the disaster, where they were soon joined by John Hutchinson, Overman, who came down from the surface. Twenty-four persons, all of whom were incapacitated either by injuries or carbon-monoxide poisoning were in the district at the time. Nineteen of them died and but for the prompt and continuous heroic work performed by Younger, Shanley, Robinson and Hutchinson, who voluntarily faced conditions of acute danger for a period of one and a half hours, there can be little doubt that not one would have survived.The circumstances and conditions would have tested the courage and endurance of the bravest and strongest. The atmosphere was so thick that the beams of the cap lamps could penetrate only a foot or so which meant that the rescuers could do nothing to guard against danger from falls of ground, a very real danger after an explosion, and the road in places was almost completely blocked by tubs de-railed by blast.Five of the injured were brought out alive from the affected workings, two of them died later in hospital and three recovered.'Harry Robinson, G.C. (1916-1987), born New Kyo, near Stanley, County Durham; educated at New Kyo School; employed as a pit pony driver at the Morrison South Pit, Annfield Plain, County Durham, from 1931; moved to the Busty Pit, Medomsley, County Durham, 1935, and his father (also a miner) died in a pit accident the following year; returned to the Morrison South Pit in 1937, and was appointed Deputy in 1942; he trained as part of the mine rescue team; when the pit closed in 1945, he moved to the Louisa Colliery; extracts from Harry Robinson’s draft statement to the Commission of Enquiry into the Louisa Pit disaster gives the following additional detail: "We reached the 2nd West bord in the middle of the landing in the Low Main seam…when the air current stopped momentarily. This was immediately followed by a rush of dust-laden air in the normal direction of the air current. The time would be approximately 11.55 p.m. We realized something was wrong and immediately picked up the bird and flame safety lamp. We then proceeded outbye towards the 4th North Hutton Offtakes and when we had travelled only 60 yards we found Charles Bolam, Arthur Chapman and Stephen Gibson, Bricklayers, standing together. Bolam was in a semi-collapsed state, being supported by the others….Shanley returned with them to 4th Bankhead into fresh air coming from the Louisa Pit....Younger and I went down the 4th North Hutton Drift to find out what had happened. On the way down to the Drift there were rollers and loose timber scattered about, and the atmosphere was very thick. We went first into the Straight East Loading Gate….We saw one light and heard someone moaning. We found three men about 30 yards inbye side of the canvas door and only one showed signs of life. I returned to the South Curve and went along the south heading. Some derailed tubs about 12 yards down stopped me and I returned. I then went out to the 4th North Hutton Offtakes to seek help and to telephone for Houghton Rescue Brigade. After telephoning, I went down the Drift and when half way down heard Younger who had come out, shout that he wanted a reviving apparatus as there were two men alive out of the three. I went back up the Drift and then met Shanley at the Offtakes. As I was out of breath Shanley asked Gibson (bricklayer) to accompany him back to the 2nd West Bord where they had reviving apparatus available.John Hutchinson then arrived at the 4th North Hutton Offtakes in answer to the telephone calls for help.Hutchinson and I proceeded down the Drift and met Younger at the bottom and a few minutes later we were joined by Shanley, who came down the Drift with the reviving apparatus.It was then decided to split the party, and Younger and Shanley went back into Straight East while Hutchinson and I went intoSouth….We got past by climbing two or three derailed tubs tilted over sideways towards the East and then we heard someone at that point say “what’s happened?” Hutchinson asked “who is that?” and the reply was “Jimmy Killgallon.” The air was still very thick but when close to it was possible to see someone standing, leaning on a tub. He stated he could not see so Hutchinson climbed over a tub and assisted him inbye to the Kist Bord where he was made comfortable. Johnson was lying, moaning, on the floor near where the first one was standing. We made Johnson as comfortable as possible where he was and we then proceeded inbye by climbingover three derailed tubs. We found another man lying between the points and the crossing at the inbye end of South Landing. He was alive and bleeding from the mouth, so we turned him to lie face downwards so that the blood would not choke him and made him as comfortable as possible. We went further inbye and found two more men lying in the middle of the tub way, both appeared dead. We went a few yards further and concluded there could be no-one else alive so we returned together to the bottom of the Drift,and I joined Younger and Shanley at Straight East, who in the meanwhile had been bringing out two injured men from Straight East Loading Gate. These men, Minto and Bailey, were brought back to the south curve and by this time stretcher bearers had reached the Drift bottom and they carried the injured men to the Morrison North Shaft. With Shanley and Younger, I then brought out the third man (Talbot) from East and he was dead. We went into the South Landing and commenced re-railing the tubs to clear the road to the two injured men behind the tubs. Johnson, who was injured was carried out to the Drift bottom and immediately afterwards we returned for the other (Killgallon). These injured men were then sent outbye to the shaft with stretcher bearers. McKeever, Roe and Martin were carried out to the Drift bottom and when bringing out Rowlands and resting the stretcher near the Kist moans could beheard from the direction of the Kist and on investigation, myself and R. Briggs who had now joined the party, found Estell the Deputy, and he was alive but appeared to be badly injured. Rowlands was carried out and then the Deputy, Estell, was carried out.Shanley and I were instructed to adjust the regulating door near the Straight East Loading Gate. While here we saw a light further East and on investigation we found a body (afterwards identified as Westgarth) with clothing smouldering. We came back to the South curve and notified Superintendent Coulshed and Houghton Team went down and recovered the body….”Robinson was presented with his Edward Medal by King George VI at Buckingham Palace, 20.7.1948; he also received a Carnegie Hero Trust Fund Certificate and a gold medal for 15 years service in the mine rescue team; he retired in 1974.1 of 10 Edward Medals (Mines) G.VI.R., 1st type, silver medals awarded.On 21st October 1971 living recipients of the Edward Medal were deemed, by Royal Warrant, to be recipients of the George Cross, and were invited to exchange their awards; two silver (including Robinson) and seven bronze medallists elected not to do so.Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
![An Extremely Rare Edward Medal (Industry) Group of Six to Railwayman A.D. Thomas [G.C.], Later Inspector, British Transport P](http://lot-images.atgmedia.com/PK/1141/2911301/14002_12_1-201472113144_468x382.jpg)
Lot 12
An Extremely Rare Edward Medal (Industry) Group of Six to Railwayman A.D. Thomas [G.C.], Later Inspector, British Transport Police, For Rescuing a Fallen Worker From Under the Wheels of An Advancing Train at King's Cross, 14.1.1931a) Edward Medal (Industry), G.V.R., 2nd type obverse, 2nd type reverse, silver (Arthur Devere Thomas.)b) 1914-15 Star (73629 Pte. A.D. Thomas 28th Bn. Canadian Inf.), contemporarily renamedc) British War and Victory Medals (73629 A.W.O.Cl.2. A.D. Thomas. 28-Can.Inf.)d) Defence Medale) Police Long Service & G.C., E.II.R. (Inspr. Arthur D. Thomas), generally very fine or betterwith the following original documentation:- Letter from the Home Office informing recipient of the award of the Edward Medal, dated 31.3.1931; Original Copy of Citation on Secretary of State, Home Department paper- Letter of Appreciation from the Metropolitan Railway to recipient, dated 27.4.1931- Letter of congratulation from The Carnegie Hero Fund Trust to the recipient, dated 6.6.1931- (2) Canadian Expeditionary Forces Pay Books; C.E.F. Discharge Certifcate- Correspondence to the recipient from The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association (lot) E.M. London Gazette 31.3.1931 Arthur Devere Thomas, Railway Flagman, King's Cross Station, Metropolitan Railway, 'On the 14th January, 1931, Ernest Percival, who was engaged in dismantling a wooden staging fixed across the track of the Metropolitan Railway Station at King's Cross, slipped and fell, from a height of about 20 feet, to the permanent way of the down Inner Circle line. He was rendered unconscious and lay face downwards across one running rail with his head close to the negative rail of the electrified system.Arthur Devere Thomas, who was acting as flagman for the protection of the workmen, saw Percival fall and at the same time heard a down train approaching the station round the curve. Realising that a signal could not be seen by the driver in time for him to stop the train, Thomas immediately jumped down from the platform to the up line and, running across two positive and two negative rails carrying 600 volts, snatched Percival up almost under the wheels of the approaching train, and held him, still unconscious, in a small recess in the wall whilst the train passed within a few inches of them. By reason of his employment, Thomas must have been fully aware of the risks he faced and he displayed conspicuous gallantry in successfully effecting the rescue of Percival.'Arthur Devere Thomas, G.C. (1895-1973), born London; emigrated with his family to Saskatchewan, Canada, 1908; worked on a farm prior to enlistment in the Canadian Expeditionary Force, 22.10.1914; allocated to the 28th Battalion, he arrived in the UK, May 1915; he served in the French theatre of war from, September 1915; seeing action at St. Eloi, Hooge and the Somme; contracted influenza in 1917 and was sent to England to recuperate in Hospital; he took an English wife, at Willesden, December 1917; discharged with the rank of Acting Company Sergeant-Major, in New Brunswick, Canada, 10.4.1919; he returned to the UK, and was employed by the Metropolitan Railway from 1931; a matter of days latter he carried out his gallant rescue; he subsequently joined the British Transport Police, and retired with the rank of Inspector in 1956; he died at Harrow, Middlesex and his funeral was carried out at Breakspear Crematorium, Ruislip.1 of 2 Edward Medals (Industry), G.V.R., 2nd type, silver awarded. Only 14 Edward Medals have been awarded to railwaymen of the United Kingdom; 3 in silver and 11 in bronze.On 21st October 1971 living recipients of the Edward Medal were deemed, by Royal Warrant, to be recipients of the George Cross, and were invited to exchange their awards; two silver (including Thomas) and seven bronze medallists elected not to do so.Provenance:Christie, November 1989Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
Lot 13
The Unique 'G.V.R. 1st type' Edward Medal (Industry) in Silver Awarded to Harry Parsons, For Gallantry in Attempting to Save Life at a Barrow Steel Works in 1912Edward Medal (Industry), G.V.R., 1st type obvesrse, 1st type reverse, silver (Harry Parsons), very fine, in case of issue E.M. London Gazette 17.12.1912 Harry Parsons, Steelworker, Barrow Factory, in joint citation with the following (all of whom received Bronze awards) Ernest Cannell, Thomas Evans, John Robinson, William Ackred and George Bagnall (the last two had their medals presented to their widows), 'On the 4th August, 1912, a gas flue, which is a thousand yards long and 6 feet in diameter, was in process of cleaning at the Barrow Hematite Steel Company's works, when a workman engaged in the operation entered the tube contrary to orders to recover a broken rake. He was immediately overcome by the gas, as were also two fellow workmen, William Ackred and George Bagnall, who went to his assistance. Harry Parsons twice entered the flue at great risk to his life, and, with the help of Ernest Cannell, Thomas Evans and John Robinson, succeeded in bringing out the three men, who had been overcome and who all unhappily lost their lives.'Harry Parsons, together with the three other men, was present at an investiture by King George V at Buckingham Palace in December 1912, when he and the others were presented with their awards. All four men were also presented with gold watches, suitably inscribed, at a ceremony in the Banquet Hall at Barrow Town Hall, 17.11.1912. The presentations were made by the Mayor, the watches having been given by the Barrow Hematite Steel Company in recognition of their bravery.Only 1 silver and 11 bronze medals with the George V 1st type obverse and 1st type reverse were awarded. This reverse was designed by Kathleen Bruce who married Captain R. F. Scott, C.V.O., R.N., the famous explorer, and who was later created Lady Scott in recognition of her husband’s services.Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
Lot 15
Edward Medal (Mines), G.V.R., 1st type, bronze (George Smith.), good very fine, in case of issue E.M. London Gazette 27.6.1922 George Smith, Overman at South Kirkby Colliery, Yorshire, in joint citation with William Humphries, Deputy at the same Colliery, 'On February 11th, 1922, a workman named Creighton, employed in a seam of the South Kirkby Colliery, Yorkshire, was completely buried by a fall of roof. Several miners who were at work near the spot came to the rescue, among them Humphries and Smith. The imprisoned man's head and shoulders were soon freed, but owing to the pressure of debris on the lower part of his body and legs it was impossible to pull him clear; while, so fast as earth was removed, more slipped down in its place. The rescue party placed sleepers across the body of the imprisoned man, thus preventing his being completely engulfed by the debris, and eventually a passage was made under the sleepers over Creighton's body, which was unhurt, with the exception of one foot, which was firmly pinned down by a large stone. The foot was eventually released and the man freed after eight and half hours' work.All the men who took part in the rescue were exposed to great risk for a prolonged period, and behaved with great gallantry and devotion to duty, but Humphries and Smith were unanimously selected by their comrades as having specially distinguished themselves.'Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
Lot 16
Edward Medal (Mines), G.V.R., 2nd type, bronze (Robert Johnston.), nearly extremely fine, in case of issue E.M. London Gazette 20.10.1931 Robert Johnston, Collier, Hedley Pit, jointly listed with 18 others, 'On the 29th September, 1930, a fall of roof occured in the Hedley Pit, South Moor, County Durham, particularly burying a hewer, Frederick Beaumont. A chargeman, Victor King, was the first to come to the rescue. He found that a small passage-way remained open by which the buried man might be reached and, with the assistance of his son Richard and John George Tarn, he immediately built two chocks of timber to keep it open. The passage was seven yards long and about two feet square and the only practicable method of rescue was for the three men to crawl along the passage-way and lie full length, two in the passage-way and one over Beaumont's body, and pass back, one at a time, the stones that were pinning him down.This perilous and arduous work was carried on for nine hours by a team of miners (including Victor King) working in relays under the direction of the manager (Walter Robert Scott) and the under-manager (Robert Reed) until at last Beaumont was released, shaken but otherwise uninjured. During the whole nine hours the roof was shifting and "trickling" and on four occasions Beaumont was almost freed when a further fall buried him again. At one time the danger of a further fall appeared so great that the manager telephoned for a doctor (Dr. Charles James Brookfield Fox) to come to the pit to amputate Beaumont's leg and so expedite his release. Fortunately - as it turned out - the doctor found it impossible to amputate in the restricted area in which Beaumont was confined, but he remained on the scene until Beaumont was rescued and examined and treated him before sending him to the surface.Shortly after Beaumont was extricated the whole of the tunnel collapsed.'Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
Lot 17
A Posthumous Edward Medal (Mines) to Richard Mallinson, For His Heroic Attempt to Save Life at Greenside Lead Mine, Westmorland, 7.7.1952Edward Medal (Mines), G.VI.R., 2nd type, bronze (Richard Mallinson, Greenside Lead Mine, Patterdale, 7th July 1952), good very fine, in Royal Mint case of issue E.M. London Gazette 31.3.1953 Richard Mallinson, in joint citation (all posthumously) with George William Gibson and John Miller, 'On the morning of Monday, 7th July, 1952, a miner who had been lowered down a shaft connecting two levels at Greenside Lead mine, Patterdale, Westmorland, was observed by Mallinson, who had remained at the top of the shaft to assist in the lowering, to be looking ill; although a thick haze and strong smell were coming up the shaft, indicating the presence of gas, Mallinson descended by ladder to investigate. He reached the bottom and shouted back that the other man was in a bad way and that he (Mallinson) was feeling queer and was coming back up. He collapsed on the way. A third miner who had remained at the top summoned assistance, and three volunteers, including Gibson and Miller, went to the scene. Getting no response to their calls, without hesitation, although the danger must have been apparent, Gibson, closely followed by Miller, set off down the ladder, leaving the third volunteer at the top. This man, on receiving a signal from Miller attempted to raise the hoist, but it would not function. By the time further rescue workers arrived no replies could be obtained from the men who had descended the shaft.The actions of Mallinson, in descending the shaft to the help of the sick man, and of Gibson and Miller, who went down to help both, were in the highest traditions of the mining industry.'1 of 5 Edward Medals (Mines), G.VI.R., 2nd type, bronze awarded.Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
Lot 18
A Fine Edward Medal (Industry) and Order of Industrial Heroism Group of Three to Wilfred Beasley, For His Gallant Attempts to Save Life, Despite Having to Battle Against Temperatures of Up to 3,000 Degrees Centigrade, During A Factory Explosion in Widnes, 16.11.1946a) Edward Medal (Industry), G.VI.R, 1st type, bronze (Wilfred Beasley, High Speed Alloys Ltd. Widnes, 16th Nov. 1946)b) Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society General Medal, silver (To Wilfred Beasley, For Gallant Service, 16/11/1946.), with integral top riband bucklec) Daily Herald Order of Industrial Heroism (To Wilfred Beasley 23rd January 1947), generally very fine, all in cases of issue (3) E.M. London Gazette 11.3.1947 Wilfred Beasley, Process Chargehand, High Speed Alloys Ltd, 'On the 16th November, 1946, an explosion, followed by fire, occurred in the ferro-mixing department of High Speed Alloys, Limited, Widnes. In this department there is a platform above the row of mixers; the charges are introduced into the mixers by tipping from steel barrows into hopper openings on the platform; the barrows are lifted from the floor position on the platform by an overhead crane, the base of the cabin of which passes about six feet above the hoppers. At the time of the accident Edward Nolan aged 17 was driving the crane and was in the act of hoisting a barrow of Wolframite when a sheet of flame shot out from the hopper, enveloping the cabin and setting fire to his clothing. He attempted to move the crane back to an access platform at the end of the shop but the crane stopped a few feet short. Intense thermit reaction went on inside the mixer; the temperature of such a reaction is estimated at between 2,000-3,000 degrees centrigrade. The room speedily filled with smoke and everything in the neighbourhood of the mixer was set on fire.Wilfred Beasley, aged 53, a process chargehand, realising that the charge mixer had exploded, and fearing for the safety of other workmen, rushed into the mixing room only to be driven back by fire and fumes. He re-entered the building through a side door and hearing cries for help groped his way to the approach ladder leading to the crane landing stage. At the fourth attempt he succeeded in reaching the landing stage some 15 feet from the ground and by holding on to a support by one hand succeeded in locating the crane cabin, which with a considerable effort he pulled to within two feet of its berth. He found Nolan in the cabin and with great difficulty managed to bring him halfway down the approach ladder, when frantic with his injuries Nolan struggled violently and fell, being caught by someone at the base of the ladder. Apart from the risk of falling which was intensified by dense smoke, there was also the risk of burns; the rescuer was exposed to danger for a period of about 10 minutes, and was temporarily overcome when he reached the ground.Nolan died later in hospital of his injuries. At the inquest the Coroner complimented Beasley on his gallant action.'Beasley was also presented with the Daily Herald Order of Industrial Heroism at Widnes, 23.1.1947. He received a certificate and medal from the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society; and his Managing Director presented him with a gold watch, and his wife with a cheque.Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
Lot 32
Polar Medal 1904, G.V.R., 2nd type, bronze, one clasp, Antarctic 1929-30 (F. Sones.), good very fine, in Royal Mint case of issue Frederic Sones, born Halesworth, Suffolk, 1888, and resided in East Ham; served as Cook in Discovery during the first voyage of the British, Australian, New Zealand Antarctic Research Expedition, 1929-30.16 bronze medals with this clasp were awarded for this expedition (London Gazette 1.5.1934 refers).Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.
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349674 item(s)/page