Phil Clifford
@philclifford.bsky.social
Retired. Amateur historian, specific interest in the UK Mine Rescue Service and the development of mines rescue at the Western Front between 1915-1918. WFA member. My research posted at www.heroes-of-mine.co.uk. Still on X as @thefleetman
In the reign of Charles II, 1661, an Act of Parliament set a maximum wage for miners and an enforced 6 day working week. Penalties for non-compliance were a tad harsh!
August 7, 2025 at 8:27 PM
In the reign of Charles II, 1661, an Act of Parliament set a maximum wage for miners and an enforced 6 day working week. Penalties for non-compliance were a tad harsh!
Born on this day in 1862 - Walter Clifford, pioneer of the mines rescue service and recipient of the Edward Medal in 1908 for heroic endeavours at the Hamstead Colliery disaster
July 4, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Born on this day in 1862 - Walter Clifford, pioneer of the mines rescue service and recipient of the Edward Medal in 1908 for heroic endeavours at the Hamstead Colliery disaster
Terrific day out with our son on his narrow boat. Locks always good fun but that swing bridge made me sweat a bit!
June 8, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Terrific day out with our son on his narrow boat. Locks always good fun but that swing bridge made me sweat a bit!
I have spent the best part of 30 years trying to locate my relative's Edward Medal (Mines), 1st class. One of only 77 ever awarded. Not been seen since assets of the old Chatterley Whitfield museum were auctioned off in 1994. His other medals are held @NCMME, but the Edward 1/2
May 19, 2025 at 10:37 AM
I have spent the best part of 30 years trying to locate my relative's Edward Medal (Mines), 1st class. One of only 77 ever awarded. Not been seen since assets of the old Chatterley Whitfield museum were auctioned off in 1994. His other medals are held @NCMME, but the Edward 1/2
Well that's my reading sorted for the next few days!
May 14, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Well that's my reading sorted for the next few days!
Remember cheques? What about a cheque printer?
April 15, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Remember cheques? What about a cheque printer?
Reposted by Phil Clifford
ONLINE talk alert!
Underground Warfare 1914-18 ⛏️💥
Tuesday April 8, 2025, 1930 BST (1430 EDT)
Links from [email protected] (sent out on morning of talk). Organised by NW Kent Branch of the Western Front Association. #WW1 #FWW
Underground Warfare 1914-18 ⛏️💥
Tuesday April 8, 2025, 1930 BST (1430 EDT)
Links from [email protected] (sent out on morning of talk). Organised by NW Kent Branch of the Western Front Association. #WW1 #FWW
March 31, 2025 at 3:34 PM
ONLINE talk alert!
Underground Warfare 1914-18 ⛏️💥
Tuesday April 8, 2025, 1930 BST (1430 EDT)
Links from [email protected] (sent out on morning of talk). Organised by NW Kent Branch of the Western Front Association. #WW1 #FWW
Underground Warfare 1914-18 ⛏️💥
Tuesday April 8, 2025, 1930 BST (1430 EDT)
Links from [email protected] (sent out on morning of talk). Organised by NW Kent Branch of the Western Front Association. #WW1 #FWW
Siebe Gorman "Spirelmo" smoke helmet. Great only if your mate has the stamina to keep pumping the bellows! Used by mines rescue teams )and fire brigades) through the first half of 20th century
March 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Siebe Gorman "Spirelmo" smoke helmet. Great only if your mate has the stamina to keep pumping the bellows! Used by mines rescue teams )and fire brigades) through the first half of 20th century
STILL WANTED - 📚 "A few recollections of an Old Lambeth factory and it's vicinity including some odd notes" Private publication by Robert H Davis, 1959. Anyone have/know of a copy for sale?
March 29, 2025 at 5:43 PM
STILL WANTED - 📚 "A few recollections of an Old Lambeth factory and it's vicinity including some odd notes" Private publication by Robert H Davis, 1959. Anyone have/know of a copy for sale?
Picture of my Dad, aged just shy of 16, looking smart and proud in his brand-new ATC uniform. He was ATC recruit number 56, joined 3rd June 1941.
March 5, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Picture of my Dad, aged just shy of 16, looking smart and proud in his brand-new ATC uniform. He was ATC recruit number 56, joined 3rd June 1941.
John Henry Thorne, born Ecclesfield, 5 March 1880.
Had a distinguished career as a Mines Rescue Superintendent and was awarded the Edward Medal, 1st class, TWICE! For reference, today, that is the equivalent of TWO George Crosses! Only one of two ever to achieve this.
Had a distinguished career as a Mines Rescue Superintendent and was awarded the Edward Medal, 1st class, TWICE! For reference, today, that is the equivalent of TWO George Crosses! Only one of two ever to achieve this.
March 5, 2025 at 6:43 PM
John Henry Thorne, born Ecclesfield, 5 March 1880.
Had a distinguished career as a Mines Rescue Superintendent and was awarded the Edward Medal, 1st class, TWICE! For reference, today, that is the equivalent of TWO George Crosses! Only one of two ever to achieve this.
Had a distinguished career as a Mines Rescue Superintendent and was awarded the Edward Medal, 1st class, TWICE! For reference, today, that is the equivalent of TWO George Crosses! Only one of two ever to achieve this.
Hamstead Colliery, (South Staffordshire), on 4th March, 1908, a fire broke out close to the bottom of the downcast shaft. resulting in the loss of 25 lives; on the following day, John Welsby, one of a rescue party from Yorkshire, succumbed to heat stroke while attempting rescue.
March 4, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Hamstead Colliery, (South Staffordshire), on 4th March, 1908, a fire broke out close to the bottom of the downcast shaft. resulting in the loss of 25 lives; on the following day, John Welsby, one of a rescue party from Yorkshire, succumbed to heat stroke while attempting rescue.
Reposted by Phil Clifford
News | Imperial War Museum’s war medal exhibition closing to make way for post-WWII galleries – Lord Ashcroft 'sad' over shutdown of gallery funded by his £5m donation
Imperial War Museum's war medal exhibition closing to make way for post-WWII galleries - Museums Association
Lord Ashcroft 'sad' over shutdown of gallery funded by his £5m donation
www.museumsassociation.org
February 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
News | Imperial War Museum’s war medal exhibition closing to make way for post-WWII galleries – Lord Ashcroft 'sad' over shutdown of gallery funded by his £5m donation
Remembering Joseph Outram. Served 1885 - 1889 with 7th Dragoon Guards. Then a colliery deputy and was involved in the Hamstead Colliery fire in 1908 for which he was awarded the Edward Medal (2nd class Mines). Suicide by hanging 21 February 1924. A sad end for a true hero.
February 20, 2025 at 10:34 PM
Remembering Joseph Outram. Served 1885 - 1889 with 7th Dragoon Guards. Then a colliery deputy and was involved in the Hamstead Colliery fire in 1908 for which he was awarded the Edward Medal (2nd class Mines). Suicide by hanging 21 February 1924. A sad end for a true hero.
Haven't had a mines rescue 'Protoman' for a while so here's one for your edification and delight.
February 18, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Haven't had a mines rescue 'Protoman' for a while so here's one for your edification and delight.
Has anyone a copy of this book and, if so, could you do a look up for me please?
February 12, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Has anyone a copy of this book and, if so, could you do a look up for me please?
Second edition. W. E. Garforth. 1918
February 10, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Second edition. W. E. Garforth. 1918
Well this should keep me occupied for a few nights. Just bought a near complete set (51) of "I was there" (Undying memories of 1914-1918). Missing parts 31, 32 and 44 if anyone has them spare?)
February 7, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Well this should keep me occupied for a few nights. Just bought a near complete set (51) of "I was there" (Undying memories of 1914-1918). Missing parts 31, 32 and 44 if anyone has them spare?)
@nottmconfidential.bsky.social eh up me duck
January 27, 2025 at 9:49 PM
@nottmconfidential.bsky.social eh up me duck
Photo of my dad, Harold Clifford (aircraft mechanic), stationed Pembroke Dock between 43-44. In April 44 he was in a guard of honour at the burial of Uffz Heinrich Schink who died following a Ju88 crash in Somerset. Schink buried at Weston-Super-Mare cemetery.
January 27, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Photo of my dad, Harold Clifford (aircraft mechanic), stationed Pembroke Dock between 43-44. In April 44 he was in a guard of honour at the burial of Uffz Heinrich Schink who died following a Ju88 crash in Somerset. Schink buried at Weston-Super-Mare cemetery.
Well that took me a while but it was a fascinating read. #histbookchat
January 25, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Well that took me a while but it was a fascinating read. #histbookchat
And inevitably we come to the end of the series - WD and HO Wills cigarette cards Air Raid Precautions. Card #50 of 50 "Anti-aircraft gun".
Hope you've enjoyed the artwork.
Hope you've enjoyed the artwork.
January 13, 2025 at 12:13 PM
And inevitably we come to the end of the series - WD and HO Wills cigarette cards Air Raid Precautions. Card #50 of 50 "Anti-aircraft gun".
Hope you've enjoyed the artwork.
Hope you've enjoyed the artwork.
WD and HO Wills cigarette cards Air Raid Precautions. Card #49 "Height finder"
January 12, 2025 at 9:25 AM
WD and HO Wills cigarette cards Air Raid Precautions. Card #49 "Height finder"
North Staffs Colliery Owners were proud of their rescue teams. Certificate awarded 1941, sadly recipients name too faded to read. Signed by instructor's Parry and Foden. 11.5" × 14". Nice depiction of rescuer wearing Proto breathing apparatus.
January 11, 2025 at 6:32 PM
North Staffs Colliery Owners were proud of their rescue teams. Certificate awarded 1941, sadly recipients name too faded to read. Signed by instructor's Parry and Foden. 11.5" × 14". Nice depiction of rescuer wearing Proto breathing apparatus.
WD and HO Wills cigarette cards Air Raid Precautions. Card #48 "Anti-aircraft sound locator"
January 11, 2025 at 9:22 AM
WD and HO Wills cigarette cards Air Raid Precautions. Card #48 "Anti-aircraft sound locator"