Rescuer's Gallantry

Harry Bickerton displayed wonderful heroism; he was the day Forman in the Red Mine seam, he was at home when he received intimation of the accident. This would be about four o'clock. He immediately proceeded to the colliery and on arriving descended the pit and went to the seat of the fire.

He found the engineer and carpenter with a number of men endeavouring to put out the fire. At the outset he suggested to the men that they should place a rope round his body and he then attempted to open the door of the return air-way to short-circuit the air current so as to give the men who were in the danger zone every possible chance.

But he found that the fire had got too strong a hold, and although he repeated his efforts two or three times, he could not make any headway. The collapse of the timber caused falls of roof and the road way completely blocked. Finding that he could not do any good in that direction, he proposed to attempt the rescue of the men by going though the Red Shag seam and he was accompanied on this hazardous journey by Thomas Gleaves, the fireman in the district. After going some considerable distance, the two men were confronted with a bank of smoke and furnace. Bickerton said that his companion thought it would not be safe to go further, so he went on alone. He had preceded another 100 yards or so of his perilous journey when he discovered five of the workers, three men and two boys struggling together in an endeavour to escape. Bickerton directed this party along the road where he had just left the fireman Gleaves, and he took charge of them and piloted them to safety.

Continuing his courageous search, Bickerton went some 200 yards further down the engine dip, and then came across another group, they were lying on the ground. The first he noticed was his brother in law, William Hyde and was greatly shocked to find he was dead. The second he observed was John Kennedy who was unconscious, the third and last was James Cork. Bickerton tried to rouse them but by that time he himself was feeling the effects of the smoke and fumes, and was in danger of being overcome. He therefore, turned to make his way back, and as he passed Kennedy he saw that he was dead. After that he hardly new what he did. He lay down several times and buried his mouth in the ground to escape the fumes. He was in a state of collapse when members of the rescue brigade ultimately roused him. When he got to the surface he received medical attention before he was taken home.

Ernest Brown, the engineman, who was previously reported missing, was found in the return airway some distance from the engine house. This would seem to indicate that he had gone to give the alarm, or was in search of assistance when he was overcome.

Thomas Brayford, a collier who worked on the day shift and was familiar with the workings of the pit, went down with Birchenwood Rescue Brigade on Friday morning to explore the workings. He acted as a guide, but wore no apparatus. Going along the Red Shag level and through the air roads he found the body of the lad Joseph Cornwall. He was lying on his back and had apparently just come over from the Red Mine road into the air crossing when he succumbed. Then the rescue brigade went to the end of the place where it began to get very hot. Previously to this the air had been clear. They next went to the turn of No. 45 where there were six bodies together. There was no smoke, but the air was bad. The rescue party then went further into the dip and it was arranged that Brayford should wait until they called for him. The party then discovered Robert McCready: who was lying in the middle of the dip, he was alive but unconscious. They carried him to the turn of No. 45, which led to the Red Shag district. Their progress was then rendered very difficult owing to their having to drag the poor man along narrow air-roads. They had to crawl along on their stomachs, dragging the unconscious man along by means of a rope attached round his body. He was successfully brought to the surface, where Dr. Thomas attended to him prior to his removal to North Staffordshire Infirmary. Unfortunately Robert McCready died at 11.45 on Saturday night 27th February; bring the death roll up to 12.

Rescue Brigades, ten in number, from the neighbouring pits were engaged in exploring the pit and recovering the bodies until a late hour on Friday night when the last body was brought to the pit bottom. The work had been slow and laborious owing to the falls that had taken place. As the bodies were brought up they were conveyed to their homes.