A Fine Royal Humane Society Medal for ‘successful rescue’ awarded to Colliery Manager William Downing Woolley, for his actions in leading a rescue party in the immediate aftermath of a gas explosion in the at the Markham Colliery, Tredegar, Monmouthshire, on 18 May 1912. For the gallantry shown by Woolley and his rescue party, each of the men also received and Edward Medal (Mines) in Bronze, comprising: Royal Humane Society, small medal in silver, successful type (William D. Woolley. 18th. May 1912), with integral top silver riband buckle, in original fitted case of issue by Elkington, London, minor edge bruise at obverse 3 o’clock, otherwise nearly extremely fine E.M.: London Gazette: 24 September 1912 - William Downing Woolley, Collier (in a joint citation with Arthur Thomas Winborn, James Joseph Leach, and Llewellyn Howells [all awarded the Edward Medal (Mines) in Bronze]) - 'On the 18th of May last an explosion of firedamp occurred at one of the pits which was in process of sinking at the Markham Colliery, Tredegar, and resulted in the death of five men. At the time of the explosion two men were down the shaft, which was then full of afterdamp. A rescue party was organised, consisting of the men above-mentioned, who descended the shaft, and after an hour's work reached the pump lodge room at a depth of 350 yards from the surface, where they found a man named Snashall, who was badly burned. After some difficulty they managed to get Snashall into the bucket, in which he was safely raised to the surface. All the rescuers were equipped with breathing apparatus, but Mr. Woolley had not previously worn it.'Royal Humane Society, case no. 39195: '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 at 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, J.J. Leach, and L. Howells was formed, and these men descended the shaft, each man wearing the Draeger breathing apparatus, and succeeded in bringing Snashall to the surface alive. Considerable risk was incurred, not only from the after-damp with which the shaft filled, but from the dangerous position of the debris and loose hanging material through which they had to pass.'Mr. William Downing Woolley, originally of Caerleon, South Wales, later retired as Managing Director of the Tredegar Iron and Coal Company in September 1952, having spent 50 years in mining and 47 years with the same firm, having joined its ranks as an Assistant Surveyor in 1905.Ex Tom May Collection, 2012; Spink 19 November, 2015

Estimate: GBP 600 - 800