b. 1855 Tongwynlais Glamorgan Wales. d. 1st Quarter 1938 Pontypridd, Wales.
DATE OF EM ACTION: 29/10/1909 Darren Colliery, Deri, near Cardiff, Wales.
Edmund Davies EM
Little is known about Edmund Davies’ early life except that he was born in 1855 in Tongwynlais, near Cardiff. From an early age he was working in the mines of South Wales, and eventually became a Colliery Fireman. He married Sedonia Edwards in Cardiff in 1884, and they had four children, Margaret (who died as an infant), Maria, Thomas and Edmund. They lived for the majority of their married life at 23 Queen Street, Tongwynlais. Little else is known about Edmund after the award of the Edward Medal. He died in Pontypridd in 1938, aged 82.
EM CITATION:
On the 29th October 1909, an explosion of coal dust occurred at the Darran Colliery, Deri, in the Cardiff district, by which 27 persons lost their lives, five succumbing during the rescue operations. Mr. Evan Owen, the Under Manager of the Colliery was one of the first to enter the mine after the explosion. In the course of the day he accompanied several of the rescue parties to the furthest points it was possible to reach, and several times he was partially overcome by the effects of the poisonous gases. He persisted in his efforts until late in the day, when he was persuaded to go home. Mr. Edmund Davies, the day fireman employed at the Colliery, was also among the first to enter the mine and made determined and continued attempts to succour the unfortunate men who had been affected by the explosion. Like Mr. Owen he was at times seriously affected by the noxious air and only desisted when his services were no longer of any avail. Dr. Turner, who was the first medical man to reach the mine, displayed great courage by promptly going down the ladders in the upcast and pumping-sbaft—an awkward descent to anyone unacquainted with mining work. He rendered all the assistance he could, and nearly paid for his bravery with his life, as he was severely affected by afterdamp.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
