b. 05/01/1902 St Helens, Merseyside. d. 09/01/1978 St Helens, Merseyside.
DATE AND PLACE OF GC ACTION: 14-15/02/1940 St Helens.
Carl Mallinson Schofield (1902-1978) was born on 5th January 1902 in St Helens, Merseyside, the son of Charles William and Amanda Schofield (nee Mallinson). Carl’s father was a coal deputy and the family lived in Kirkheaton. Carl attended Parr Flat Infant School and Alinson Street Council School in St Helens, until he decided to leave at the age of 14 and follow in his father’s footsteps and become a miner.
Carl M Schofield GC
He gained employment at Southport Colliery, though in the evenings attended night classes at Gamble Institute, St Helens, where he obtained his Under- Manager’s Certificate. He then worked at Collins Green Colliery before moving to the Bold Colliery where he performed the deeds which earned him the Edward Medal.
On the night of Valentines Day, 1940, there was a serious roof fall in the main loading level, completely trapping 5 men. Rescue operations began immediately and within 1 and a quarter hours the first man, Heyes, was freed. He walked out of the pit unaided and was able to tell the pit agent, Thomas Jameson GC, who had arrived and taken charge, the rough location of the other 4 men. Jameson, assisted by Carl Schofield, whose father was one of the buried men, removed stones and earth, working with only their hands, there being no room to use a shovel. They managed to free the second man, Cunningham, by 2am the next morning. At about 3am Tulley was freed. Sadly, they could see the last two men, including Schofield’s father, but they were dead.
After the award of the Edward Medal, he served with the Home Guard during the Second World War. He then worked in several local collieries such as Clock Face, Collins Green and Bold until he retired due to ill-health in 1963. He married Jane Grice in 1928, and they had two daughters. He chose to exchange his Edward Medal for a George Cross and attended a Buckingham Palace investiture on 6th March 1973. His Edward Medal is now held by Plymouth Museum.
Carl died suddenly at home in Douglas Avenue, Bold, St Helens, on 9th January 1978, aged 78. He was cremated at St Helens Crematorium. His GC and 1977 QEII Silver Jubilee Medal are privately held.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: PRIVATELY HELD.
BURIAL PLACE: ST HELENS CREMATORIUM, ST HELENS, MERSEYSIDE.
ASHES SCATTERED IN SECTION 4.
