Orders, Decorations and Medals

Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful), (William H. Leigh, M.R.C.S., 21st Dec. 1910) complete with bronze brooch buckle and contained in its original case of issue, extremely fine £120-150

One Silver and 24 Bronze awards of the Royal Humane Society were given for the Pretoria Pit disaster at Hulton Collery on 21 December 1910, the largest recorded mine disaster up to that time.

‘Case No. 37,996: William H. Leigh, M.R.C.S. (aged 34) and 25 others. Saved 4 lives and attempted to save 344 others who were lost. 7.50 a.m. 21st December 1910. Pretoria Pit, Over Hulton, near Bolton. An explosion took place in the mine which is some 435 yds 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.

The first named 18 men, Mr. Tonge being leader, went down and by their exertions 4 lives were saved, 344 others being lost, and were responsible for saving 500 others. Doctors Leigh and Russell went down and attended to 3 men who had been overcome by the gas.’

Doctor William Leigh was also awarded the Life Saving Medal of the Order of St John in Bronze, and the special Bronze Medal from the Bolton & District Humane Society. Sold with further details, including copies of contemporary newspaper accounts of the disaster.