BIBLES

The Relief Fund Committee decided that all the rescuers who tried in vain to rescue the 8 men and a boy trapped by the fire in the pit on 1st/2nd May deserved some kind of recognition of their bravery. It was decided that all the survivors plus the family representatives of those who died should receive a specially inscribed family Bible. The cost was paid out of the Relief Fund. The Bibles were presented at simple ceremonies by the vicars of the appropriate parish. Below is a transcription of the reports of the presentations as they appeared in editions of the Atherstone Herald at the time.

THE BAXTERLEY COLLIERY EXPLOSION

PRESENTATIONS TO THE RESCUERS AND OTHERS

July 1883

A meeting was held in the Schoolroom, Bentley, on Thursday evening last week, with a view to presenting most of the surviving volunteers, and the friends of those who had lost their lives, with a quarto family Bible. There were present- the Rev H Hanmer (Rector of Grendon and rural dean, in the chair), the Rev T J C Gardner (vicar of Baddesley Ensor), Mrs Gardner, the Rev Hugh Bacon (Rector of Baxterley), Mr J C Fowke (hon sec), Miss Fowke and Messrs J G Arnold, secretary, Stokes (HM Inspector of mines), Vero, Mcfarlane, Smallman, Ashwin, Morgan and Neale.

The Rev Hugh Bacon having opened the meeting by prayer, the chairman, after delivering a short address, proceeded to hand over the Bibles to the recipients in his parish. Inside the cover of each book is one of the following inscriptions: - " Presented in the name of the subscribers to the Relief Fund to ------ in memory of ------- for his bravery at the Baddesley Colliery, on the1st and 2nd May, 1882." "Presented in the name of the subscribers to the Relief Fund to ------ for his bravery at the Baddesley Colliery, on the 1st and 2nd may, 1882." The Bibles were presented in the following order: -

Grendon. To Sarah Boonham, in memory of her husband, Samuel Boonham; Charles Albrighton in memory of his son, Charles Albrighton; Henry Ball, in memory of his brother, Amos Ball; Ellen Day, in memory of her brother, William Day; Ann Maria Day in memory of her brother, Thomas Day.

FOR BRAVERY:

Chairman to the following residents of Grendon:- Charles Day (The award for bravery was then handed to the Albert medallist), George Ball, Edward Ball, William Sanders, Thomas Walker, Thomas Radford, Henry Radford, Charles Hunt, James Lewis, James Goddridge.

Mr Arthur Henry Stokes and Mr Reuben Smallman also received a Bible each at the hands of the Chairman.

Baddesley Ensor :- after making a few hearty remarks, the Rev T J C Gardner presented Bibles to the recipients residing in his parish as follows:- To Ann Day, in memory of her husband Joseph Day; Emma Smallwood, in memory of her husband John Smallwood; Eliza Atkins, in memory of her husband John Atkins; Amy Horton, in memory of her husband William Horton; Harriet Ball (Walsall), in memory of her husband Joseph Ball.

FOR BRAVERY:

The following of the Baddesley residents received the award for bravery from their vicar: - Henry Sanders, Edward Cooke, William Hough, Charles Chetwynd (Albert medallist), William Pickering (Albert medallist), Joseph Chetwynd (Albert medallist), William Dingley, James Chetwynd.

The Rev gentleman also presented a silver watch, suitably inscribed to Mrs Day, in memory of her husband, Joseph Day, and to Henry Sanders, as a mark of the committee's appreciation of the bravery the two deceased miners displayed at the time of the accident.

Baxterley .- By the Rev. Hugh Bacon: To Elizabeth Clay, in memory of her husband Joseph Clay; Sarah Ann Evans, in memory of her husband John Evans; Sarah Parker, in memory of her husband John Parker; Mary Evans, in memory of her husband Richard Evans; Ann Besson, in memory of her husband Thomas Besson; Eli Smith, in memory of his son Eli Smith; Thomas Till, in memory of his son Rowland Till; Edward Collins, in memory of his brother John Collins.

FOR BRAVERY:

The Rev Hugh Bacon presented books to the following of the rescuers residing in his parish: - Edward Collins, George Rowbottom, William Day, William Bates, William Morris, (Albert Medallist), William Clay, John Cope, George Morris, William Parker.

The Chairman then presented a Bible to Master F S and E T S Dugdale, sons of the late W S Dugdale Esq.

The Rev Hugh Bacon said he had been desired by Mrs Dugdale (who was unable to be present) to represent to the Committee her appreciation of their kindness in presenting Bibles to her sons: and she also wished to thank all who assisted in the rescue for their readiness to volunteer.

Mr A H Stokes proposed a vote of thanks to the Committee for their handsome gifts.

Mr William Pickering seconded, and it was carried unanimously.

Mr C Vero returned thanks on behalf of the Committee; and the Chairman having pronounced the benediction, the meeting was brought to a close.

On Saturday, the 14th inst., a meeting was held in the Boy's Free School, Atherstone. There were present the Revs F H Riching (Chairman) and Hugh Bacon, Miss Fowke and Miss Bishop, and Messrs J C Fowke and J G Arnold.

The Chairman, after a few remarks, presented Bibles to Emma Archer, in memory of her husband Richard Archer; George Congreve and Joseph Radford.

Subseqently the Chairman, with the Secretary, Mr Arnold, attended at the residence of Mrs Pogmore and Mrs Cobb, and presented a Bible to the former lady in memory of her husband, and to Mrs Cobb in memory of her brother, Frank Herbert Pogmore.

Bibles are purchased to be presented to Messrs Samuel Spruce, mining engineer, Tamworth and Thomas Mottram, colliery manager, Tamworth.

The Rev H Hanmer has handed over a Bible to Mr Frederick Samuel Marsh, colliery manager, Hall End; the Rev James Hulme, vicar of Woodside to Mrs Emma Evans, Cinderford, in memory of her husband Charles Evans; the Rev E S Chamberlayne, rector of Witherley, to John Clark, Witherley