b. 19/10/1886 Alstonefield, Staffordshire. d. 19/06/1971 Doncaster, Yorkshire.
DATE OF EM ACTION: 09/07/1912 Cadeby, Doncaster, Yorkshire.
Walter H Prince EM
Walter was one of ten children born to John and Eliza Prince (nee Beswick) on 19th October 1886 in Alstonefield, Staffordshire. At a young age, Walter began to study mining, and by the time of the 1911 Census, he was living with one of his older sisters, Emilie, in Mexborough, near Barnsley, Yorkshire, before he gained a contract at the Cadeby Colliery near Doncaster. Less than a year later, he would be awarded the Edward Medal for his bravery in a rescue at the pit. In the summer of 1913, shortly after the announcement, he married Ethel Wright in Thorne, Yorkshire, and they would have six children. Walter remained in the mining industry for the rest of his working life. Sadly, one of his sons, Charles, was killed in action in Italy during World War II. His wife, Ethel passed away in 1950, and Walter spent his retirement living in Doncaster. He died in June 1971, aged 84, sadly only a few months before he would have been eligible to exchange his Edward Medal for a George Cross.
EM CITATION:
On the 9th July, 1912, two disastrous explosions occurred in the South Workings of the Cadeby Main Colliery, near Doncaster, originating at the coal face and spreading along the roads for distances of nearly half a mile. H. Hulley and G. Fisher were among the first to explore the affected districts after each of the explosions. They assisted in attending to and removing the injured, and also in building stoppings to shut off the dangerous areas, in spite of the constant risk of further explosions and falls. Altogether Fisher was in the pit for about 12 hours and Hulley even longer, and, as both men were experienced pit-men, they were well aware of the imminent risk to their lives that they ran during the whole time. Their great courage and tenacity render their conduct conspicuous even among the many brave actions performed in connection with the disaster. J. E. Chambers went down into the pit after the second explosion, immediately explored one of the roads near the point of origin alone, and was the probable means of saving two lives; he afterwards went through the district to assist in withdrawing all men from the workings. W. H. Prince helped to organise rescue parties and assisted in saving life by the use of apparatus. With great presence of mind, and at much risk to himself, he personally extinguished a fire which occurred while he was so engaged, and afterwards he helped to build the stoppings. Herbert Williamson superintended the rescue work in some of the roads after the first explosion. A fall caused by the second explosion prevented him from making any pro-gress for a time; but he got together a body ofmen to clear a way over it, and then continued the work of rescue. He also returned to the affected roads by himself after the third explosion.Sergeant Winch went with his brigade into the workings after the first explosion to help in the rescue work; he was knocked down bythe second explosion, but proceeded inwardsand assisted in saving lives by the use of his apparatus. He displayed great coolness in dealing with a fire, which broke out in one of the roads, and in keeping his men together to continue the work. All these men displayed great courage and set a splendid example in the face of the disaster. Throughout their work the risk of a further explosion sweeping through the district was always present, and falls and fires were occurring in many places.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: UNKNOWN.
