Miner's George Cross medal to go under hammer

A GALLANTRY medal awarded to a miner who saved a workmate trapped by a roof fall is to be sold at auction in London.

- TONY HENDERSON

The medal was presented to Charles Smith, who rescued fellow miner Charles Liversidge at Askern Main Colliery, Yorkshire, on January 3, 1940.

He later distinguished himself again while employed above ground as a banksman at the Stargate Colliery in Ryton in Gateshead when he spotting a frayed cable on a mine shaft lift on February 3 1953, "averting a disastrous occurrence.

Mr Smith's George Cross will be sold by auctioneers Noonans of Mayfair on Wednesday with an estimate of £8,000-£10,000.

Mr Smith died at Blaydon in Gateshead on October 25, 1987.