“Coal Hero” Rose-bowl at Woodhorn Museum, Northumberland
Coal Hero
James Smith came from a mining family in Choppington. During the First World War he served in the 254 Tunnellers Company, Royal Engineers and was awarded the Military Medal in 1916 for saving three men in a mine explosion in France. The Ashington Coal Company gave Smith this silver rose-bowl as a `mark of their appreciation and esteem’ in 1918. After the death of Smith, the bowl was given to Ashington Colliery where it was used as a trophy for the National Coal Board `Apprentice of the Year’. The trophy was then returned to his family after the closure of Ashington Colliery.
