COLLIERS in cloth caps and mufflers and Coal Board officials in pin-stripe suits, crowded a tiny coroner’s court room, in Doncaster yesterday to pay tribute to the bravery of Arthur Lawrence.
And ‘18 - year - old Frank Lawrence heard Mr John Alford, a Board official, say of his 49-year-old colliery deputy father: —
“He died in the way he lived and worked—trying to do something for others.”
Arthur of Leslie Avenue, Conanby, had been working at the face at Cadeby Main Colliery when he saw a large stone about to fall from the roof. He shouted to his workmates— Peter Williams and Bernard Hampton - and then held the stone with his hands until they had moved to safety.
Then as he tried to move out of danger himself, the stone and part of the roof collapsed, trapping and severely injuring him. He died in hospital.
ALWAYS JUST
Said workmate Williams: “He saved the lives of me and my mate.”
Mr Jim Maiden, a union official, told the coroner, ‘Mr W. H. Carlile:
“I am speaking on behalf of all the men. I had known Arthur personally, for 26 years.
“He had always been right and just to everyone who worked with him. This action was typical of his unselfish attitude.”
Verdict: Accidental Death.
Afterwards Mr Eric Lockett, area general secretary, of the National Association of Colliery Overmen Deputies and Shotfirers, said: “I shall make known his bravery to the highest quarters.”
