Conisbro’ Man’s Bravery – A Well-Deserved Decoration. (picture)

July 1909

Sheffield Evening Telegraph – Wednesday 21 July 1909

Conisbro’ Man’s Bravery.

A Well-Deserved Decoration.

Henry Benton, miner, of Tickhill Street, Denaby, accompanied by Mr. H. S. Witty, manager of the Cadeby Colliery. left Conisborough this morning, route for London, where to-morrow he will await at the Home Office to be escorted by special messenger to Buckingham Palace, there to receive from the King the Edward Medal, popularly known the Miners’ V.C.

On the morning of October 27th last in the Colliery. Benton, John Joseph Churms, a Pony driver, and John Green, filler, were working when an unforeseen “slip” set going over 300 tons of roof. The first descent buried Churms completely, and Green partially. Benton somehow escaped, and by heroic efforts extricated Green; Churms was beyond reach of help, and the latter’s body was not recovered until nine hours after the fall. The debris that descended was heaped to height of 21 feel by I5 feet wide. It was the evidence at the subsequent inquest on the body of Churms that led a Mexborough jurymen say that he thought colliers were the bravest men on earth.

Describing the fall of roof, Mr. Walker, H.M. Inspector of Mines, said it was the Iargest he had known in his experience, and his testimony to the heroism of Benton was generous as it was deserved. The Coroner. Mr. D. Wightman paid generous tribute to Benton’s heroism, and John Green, the man who was saved from terrible death, expressed his gratitude.

The facts, through Mr. Richard Tingle, the foreman of the jury, were brought before the attention of the Home Office with the result that Benton is to receive the Miners’ V.C. from His Majesty’s hands.

This coming Royal recognition is viewed with great satisfaction in mining circles of the Don Valley. Benton will the second South Yorkshireman to receive the decoration. Chandler, the Hoyland deputy, was the first.

Benton had kept secret the time of his departure from Conisborough, consequently when the 11.51 train steamed into the station this morning, the few people on the platform were passengers proceding to Doncaster. The miner was neatly attired in black suit, and was wearing a black bowler hat, the only splash of colour in his dress being a rose in his buttonhole. In response to questions. Benton said there was reason to “make a fuss” about him. “I did my duty; that is all and the other men would do the same,” added.

From Mr. Witty, who is acting as caretaker of this worthy sample of his Cadeby miners, our reporter learned that they were due to arrive at King’s Cross at ten past four this afternoon.

“And when do you see the King?”

“Between twelve and one to-morrow.”

At which remark Benton smiled. He really couldn’t help it, but one saw from the expression of his features that he was pleased with the prospect in front of him.

He wouldn’t talk, but he waved his hand out of the window as the train sped past the colliery in which he earned his right to travel to London to-day.