b. 1852 Baddesley Ensor, Warwickshire. d. 17/01/1921 Wilnecote, near Tamworth, Staffordshire.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 18/10/1881 Baddesley Colliery, Warwickshire.
William Pickering AM
William was born in 1852, the son of John and Ann Pickering. He was the eldest of six children. On leaving school, he began working as a collier at Baddesley Colliery in Warwickshire. On 19th April 1877, he married Sarah (Rosa) Chetwynd at Baddesley Church, and they had six children. She was the daughter of Peter and Sarah Chetwynd. Peter was for many years Parish clerk as well as being a coal miner.
When Baddesley pit was re-opened after the explosion William returned to work there and by the 1891 census had become a deputy and by 1901 had become a colliery under manager at The Tame Valley Colliery at Wilnecote. He held this position for 28 years until his death.
He also took an active part in the local community. He was a member of the Parish Council and Burial Board. He was also a School Manager and one of the Overseers of the poor. Also a member of the local Congregational church he was a preacher and Sunday school teacher.
He died on 17th January 1921 at his home in Hockley Road Wilnecote following a seizure at work on the previous Friday. He was buried at Wilnecote on Thursday 20th January 1921.
AM CITATION:
THE Queen has been graciously pleased to confer “The Albert Medal” on the following persons, for conspicuous gallantry displayed on the occasion of the Fire and Explosion at the Baddesley Colliery in May last:— ” The Albert Medal of the First Class.” Mr. Reuben Smallman, Mining Engineer. Mr. Arthur Henry Stokes, Inspector of Mines. Charles Day, Collier. Charles Chetwynd, Collier. “The Albert Medal of the Second Class.” Mr. Samuel Spruce, Mining Engineer. Mr. Frederick Samuel Marsh, Certified Colliery Manager. Mr. Thomas Harry Mottram, Certified CollieryManager. William Morris, Collier. William Pickering, Collier. Joseph Chetwynd, Collier.
BURIAL LOCATION: WILNECOTE OLD CEMETERY, WILNECOTE, STAFFORDSHIRE.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
