b. 27/10/1868 Over Hulton, Lancashire. d. 02/11/1952 Farnworth, Bolton, Lancashire.
DATE OF EM ACTION: 21/12/1910 Hulton Colliery, Allerton, Lancashire.
Alfred J Tonge EM
Alfred was the second of seven children born to James and Elizabeth Tonge (nee Clarke) on 27th October 1868 in Over Hulton, Lancashire. His childhood was spent living in Westhoughton, Lancashire, and they lived at 325 Manchester Road. Alfred began working down the mines and on 21st September 1893 he married Margaret Clough in Bolton. He was then promoted to the position of colliery cashier at the Hulton Colliery, near Allerton. Following his actions which led to the award of the Edward Medal, he trained to become a mining engineer, and he travelled numerous times to the USA and Canada to be involved in mining projects. His wife died in 1939, and there were no children from the marriage. He lived alone in Bolton for eight years, before he married a widow, Lillie Alberta McLean in Horwich, Lancashire on 15th May 1947. Alfred died on 2nd November 1952 in Townleys Hospital in Farnworth, near Bolton, Lancashire, aged 84.
EM CITATION:
On the 21st December, 1910, a terrible explosion occurred at the No. 3 Bank Pit at the Hulton Colliery, near Allerton, by which a portion of the casting of the upcast shaft was wrecked. Various miners were shut off from escape by the fall of earth, and suffered from the effects of poisonous gases. Many miners used their utmost endeavours to rescue their fellow workmen under circumstances of great danger, and the above showed specially conspicuous courage.
BURIAL LOCATION: UNKNOWN.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: BOLTON MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY, BOLTON, LANCASHIRE.
