Beschreibung:

An Order of St. John of Jerusalem and Royal Humane Society Group of Three to J. Williams, For His Gallantry During the Terrible Hulton Colliery Disaster, 21.12.1910, in Which 344 Miners Lost Their Lives, The Third Worst Mining Disaster Ever to Have Occurred in Great Britain Order of St. John of Jerusalem Life Saving Medal, 2nd type, bronze (Presented to John Williams July 1911.); Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal, successful (John Williams 21st. Dec. 1910.), lacking integral top bronze riband buckle , in Elkington, London , fitted case of issue; Bolton and District Humane Society Medal, bronze, reverse embossed 'Hulton Colliery Disaster December 21st 1910', scratch to obverse field of last, otherwise nearly extremely fine or better (3) Order of St. John of Jerusalem Life Saving Medal: 'On 21st December 1910, a terrible disaster occurred at the Hulton Collieries, near Bolton, Lancashire, resulting from an explosion caused by the combination of gas and coal dust. A large number of miners were killed by the force of the explosion, and very great risk was caused to the lives of the members of the rescuing parties by the dangerous afterdamp, the rescuers having repeatedly to retrace their steps through the poisonous fumes. They entered the cages immediately after the explosion and descended the shaft under unknown conditions. Besides a number of miners killed by the force of the explosion, about 300 died from the effects of afterdamp, but through the exertions of the rescue parties nearly 500 lives were saved. In the case of these colliery disasters such unselfish devotion is invariably shown by colliers and miners who go to the aid of their distressed comrades that the selection of names is always very difficult, but after careful investigation the above mentioned have been recommended for the awards in question, in recognition not only of their own gallant services, but as typical of the heroism shown by all concerned.' Royal Humane Society case no. 37,996: 'At 7:50am on the 21st December 1910, at the Pretoria Pit, over Hulton, near Bolton, a disastrous explosion took place in the mine which is some 435 yards deep. After damp succeeded the explosion rendering it very dangerous to enter the pit, there being also the danger of further explosion by ignition of the liberated gas. Mr. Alfred Tonge, the Manager, aged 42, and 17 other men [including John Williams aged 38] acquainted with the mine descended in the hope of being able to save some of those who were below. From the moment they reached the pit bottom they were in an atmosphere of noxious gases liable to ignite at any moment, rendering the work not only difficult, but exceedingly dangerous. For several hours they continued their exertions, no effort being spared by any of the men in their self-imposed task of saving or attempting to save their less fortunate fellow workmen. By their exertions 4 lives were saved, 344 others being lost, and a further 500 saved. Doctors William H. Leigh, aged 34, and John C. Russell, aged 32, went down and attended to 3 men who had been overcome by the gas. Abraham Stott and William Turton went down to extinguish fire and both were overcome, Stott trying to save Turton before being overcome. Turton did not recover. Five firemen subsequently went down to extinguish the fire.' Mr. John Williams was born in 1872, and at the time of the Hulton Colliery Disaster was employed as under-manager of the Pretoria pit. For his gallantry he also received the Bolton and District Humane Society Medal. He was presented with his Order of St. John of Jerusalem Life Saving Medal by Field Marshal H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught, K.G., Grand Prior of the Order of St. John, 5.7.1911. 10 Edward Medals (Mines) in Bronze; 1 silver and 20 bronze Order of St. John of Jerusalem Life Saving Medals; 1 silver and 25 bronze Royal Humane Society Medals; and 160 Bolton and District Humane Society Medals were awarded for the Hulton Colliery Disaster, 21.12.1910. In all 344