b. 10/02/1893 Horsley, Derbyshire. d. 17/03/1967 Kilburn, Derbyshire.
DATE OF EM ACTION: 24/12/1915 Wood Lane Colliery, Horsley, Derbyshire.
Joseph was one of five children born to William and Martha Annie Peat (nee Yeomans) on 10th February 1893 in Horsley, Derbyshire. He was baptised in Horsley on 21st May 1893. He was a career miner and it appears that he never married. He died on 17th March 1967 in Kilburn, Derbyshire aged 74. He was buried at St Clements Church, Horsley, Derbyshire.
EM CITATION:
The colliery manager, John Orrill, told David Aldread to get a shovel from 200 yards away. When Aldread failed to return, Orrill told William Peat to collect an electric lamp from the surface and search for Aldread. However Orrill decided to search for Aldread himself. William Peat brought the lamp and then found both Orrill and Aldread who were both unconscious. He was almost overcome by blackdamp but managed to summon help. He informed his son, Joseph Peat, and Arthur Woodhouse, where the fallen men were. The air was so foul that a flame could not burn and they only had a one-candle power electric lamp to see with. The two rescuers, Woodhouse and Peat, rushed over an obstacle caused by a roof fall, and attached their belts round the body Orrill, and then Aldread. After fastening a long strap, which they got from some machinery, to the belts they dragged the men out. Unfortunately Orrill and Aldread were dead. For between sixty and ninety minutes Peat and Woodhouse risked their lives trying to rescue the two men.
BURIAL LOCATION: ST CLEMENTS CHURCHYARD, HORSLEY, DERBYSHIRE.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
