Joseph Weigh's Presentation Silver Tray for Saving the Life of James Lamb"

Lane End Colliery, Buckley

16 December 1897

TEXT

Presented by Horace Mayhew

To Joseph Weigh

For his Gallantry in Saving the Life

of James Lamb at the Risk of his own.

16th December 1897

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The tray measures 23cm x 17cm

The tray was presented to Joseph Weigh at a ceremony on April 29th 1898, the account of which appeared in the "....? Herald" and is reproduced below.

Joseph Weigh was John Melvyn Weigh (Mel Weigh, local builder).

HEROISM AT A BUCKLEY COLLIERY

Interesting Presentation

A most interesting and pleasing ceremony took place at the Lane End Colliery on Saturday last. The circumstances causing the same occurred on the 16^th December last, when a collier named James Lamb, who had just arrived at his working place in the main coal seam, was suddenly imprisoned under a heavy fall of roof, and with the gradual settling down of the debris was apparently in a hopeless condition, Joseph Weigh, the head fireman of the mine being called to the scene of the accident with promptitude and ability, and a cool-headed action, with the ready help of his men he gradually little by little so propped and spragged underneath the fallen roof, that eventually after an hour's incessant and highly dangerous work extricated James Lamb, and, as H.M.'s Inspector, said, miraculously saved the life of his fellow workman. The prompt and successful action referred to was highly gratifying to the owners of the mine, and on Saturday, at noon, Mr. Horace Mayhew , J.P., the managing partner, called together the workmen. About fifty assembled, including Mr. James Hampson, the general manager; Mr. Weigh, underlooker; Joseph Messham, J. Hall, J. Lloyd Jones, firemen; Jonathan Price, Marshall Maples and Fred Green.

Mr. Mayhew said: I have called you together because I wanted to bring back to your memory a certain thing that happened on the 16^th December last. You remember that one of your fellow workmen was imprisoned under a large piece of coal, and that he was there at the risk of his life and in imminent danger of being crushed to death. Among the many thousands of colliers who go out of the blessed daylight into the dark caverns of the earth there are many brave and noble men who are willing at all times to risk their own lives to save those of their fellow workmen. We, who have had the like experience (and I have had 35 years experience in travelling in mines) know that there are done deeds of daring among the miners which, if done on the surface and in the open daylight, and before their fellow men, would be very highly applauded by them. Well many of these deeds do come to light and I think when one special deed of daring does come to light we ought to give it what publicity we can. On the 16^th December James Lamb, working here at the Colliery, was imprisoned by a very big lump of coal weighing at least over a ton, and he was fast underneath it, the roof and strata was all loose and it looked as if his chance of life was gone. However, happily we had amongst us a man who, with large experience in working of mines, and with plenty of common sense united with strength and daring, so propped the coal and so levered it up and supported it that he was able by superhuman effort to get James Lamb from under the fallen debris. Had he been rash, or had he had less experience, had he touched that strata rashly James Lamb would not have been here to thank him. As one of your employers and greatly interested in your comfort, your welfare and your safety, I personally thank Joseph Weigh from my heart for what he did on that day, and I now beg to hand him a small testimonial, or rather a small piece of silver plate on which I have had engraved what he did. This is the inscription:- Presented by Horace Mayhew to Joseph Weigh for gallantry in saving the life of James Lamb at the risk of his own, 16^th December 1897. I must also read to you a letter that has been received by Mr. Hampson, the manager of this Colliery, from the Government Inspector of Mines, which is as follows:- "22^nd April, 1898. Dear Sir, I am sorry I have an enquiry to attend at Rainford, Lancashire, tomorrow, which prevents me being present on the occasion of Mr. Mayhew's presentation to Joseph Weigh, Lane End Colliery who so bravely at the risk of his own life, rescued the collier James Lamb, from a most dangerous and perilous position in the main coal workings. When I inspected the place and saw how Weigh had propped and spragged under the large fall of coal to prevent it lowering an inch further upon the collier who was lying at death's door beneath it, and which would most probably have crushed and suffocated him, had not Weigh, at the risk of his own life, so very ably worked and timbered as he did under the fallen pillar of coal. I felt proud that we have such brave men in our collieries, who are always to the front as on this occasion, risking their own lives to save comrades when in danger, and Joseph Weigh deserving of the highest recognition, - I am, yours truly, D.H.F.Matthews, H.M.'s Inspector of Mines.

Repeated applause greeted Mr. Mayhew's remarks and the reading of the Inspector's letter, the men evidently being highly pleased at the due recognition of Weigh's valuable services.

Samuel Griffiths proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Mayhew for his kindness and for the good words and manner he had spoken to the men.

John Coles supported, and suggested that the men ought to combine and make application for the Humane Society's medal to be bestowed upon Joseph Weigh. He was in the pit at the time and saw what was done and was sure that many deeds done on land were rewarded with the medal not half as deserving as the act of Joseph Weigh.

The recipient of the present, Joseph Weigh, with great feeling thanked Mr. Mayhew for his valuable present. He should look upon it with pride and his family would be able to look upon it with pride and think of some little good he had done.

Three hearty cheers were given for Mr. Jos. Weigh, and for Mr. Mayhew, their employer. The present consisted of a solid silver cake dish, beautifully carved and engraved with the inscription given above, and enclosed in a stout morocco-bound case.

Author: Anon

Joseph Weigh's Presentation Silver Tray for Saving the Life of James Lamb"

Lane End Colliery, Buckley

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