Mexborough & Swinton Times, January 26, 1918
Heroism at Kilnhurst.
Empire Medals for Chemical Workers
The King has been pleased to grant medals of the Order of the British Empire to two employees engaged at the chemical works of Messrs. Ellison and Mitchell, Ltd., at Kilnhurst. The first recipient is Edward Bond (right picture), foreman, who at great personal risk of scalding and suffocation, owing to burst safety valve, closed the main valve on team boiler, thus preventing serious mishap to the battery, and enabled the works to carry on.
In order to accomplish this, Bond had to find his way in the darkness, and amid large jets of steam above the boilers, knowing the peril he was encountering. His award also includes recognition of his courage and example during air-raids, and also the fact that he has rescued two men from the canal near the works on dark and foggy nights.
Mr Bond lives at Don House, Kilnhurst
The second winner of the award is William Gomersall (left picture) , the head fitter at the works, who lives in Carlyle street, Kilnhurst. It is for courage and devotion in aiding his foreman to close the main valve on the steam boiler. At great personal risk he went on the top the battery of steam boilers to search for his foreman, whom he believed to have been suffocated, but who, fortunately, had been able to reach the ground in another direction.
On another occasion an empty steel drum which Gommersall was repairing exploded, owing to having previously contained an inflammable liquid. Although he was badly burnt about the face, and blown some distance away by the force of the explosion, he was more concerned about the plight of his assistant, who was really less badly hurt, and by his cheerful bearing he did much to help his companion in distress.
Moreover, Gomersall had during his employment, shown perseverance, skill and resourcefulness which had thus materially helped the firm to maintain the output in connection with the war under difficult conditions.
The medals will be presented by the Lord Lieutenant at an early date.
