Bravery awards presented to a miner for his role in a dramatic rescue operation following a pit accident at Walsall Wood Colliery are set to go under the hammer in Lichfield.
The archive includes a British Empire Medal awarded to William Henry Joiner, an acting overman at the Cannock Chase mine, for his actions following a major roof collapse at the pit on October 9th, 1956, which claimed the lives of four of his colleagues.
Mr Joiner’s medal is accompanied by a National Coal Board Certificate of Bravery and a hallmarked silver tankard by Walker & Hall of Sheffield, inscribed:
“Presented by the National Coal Board to Mr WH Joiner for bravery in the pit Walsall Wood Colliery 9th October 1956.”
The collection, which recently came to light following a house clearance, will be sold in Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ Antiques & Home Sale on Monday, March 16th.
Historic mining accident
Established in the late 19th century, Walsall Wood Colliery was once one of the deepest mines in the West Midlands and remained in operation until its closure on October 30th, 1964.
The tragic accident in October 1956 saw the roof collapse over a roadway underground, killing four miners instantly and trapping a fifth man beneath fallen stone inside a small cavity.
The incident was so significant it was raised in the House of Commons, appearing in the Hansard report of October 29th, 1956.
On October 9th last there was a large fall of roof at a road junction in mechanised Bord and Pillar workings of this colliery, as a result of which five men were buried of whom, I regret to say, four lost their lives. Another man had a leg fractured when a further fall occurred during attempts to recover the bodies. The causes of the fall are being investigated by Her Majesty’s Inspectors. – Minister of Fuel and Power David Renton – later Lord Renton
Rescue operation
Mr Joiner, who lived on New Street in Shelfield, Walsall, was one of three pitmen honoured following the rescue effort.
His award was announced in The London Gazette on February 12th, 1957, recognising his role in the rescue attempt.
According to the official account, colliery manager George Albert Schofield – who was later awarded the MBE – immediately went to the scene of the accident. Mr Joiner joined him from another part of the underground workings.
The two men found that three of the approaches to the collapsed area were completely blocked by fallen stone. They therefore climbed over the top of the fall to inspect the fourth side.
After moving enough debris to gain access, they were able to locate the trapped miner.
Despite the danger of further roof falls, Mr Joiner returned with timber supports to stabilise the area and helped create a passage through the fallen stone.
Together with fellow overman George Bywater, they eventually succeeded in freeing the trapped man.
Auction details
The archive, guided at £200 to £300, will feature in Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ Antiques & Home Sale on Monday, March 16, starting at 9am.
The auction catalogue will be available online a week before the sale at:
www.richardwinterton.co.uk/auctions/auction-calendar
Items can be viewed in person at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, between 10am and 4pm on Friday, March 13th.
For more information, to arrange a free valuation of collectables and antiques, or to enquire about house clearances, email office@richardwinterton.co.uk or call 01543 251081.
