Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry


Sydney Blackburn was born on 15 July 1908, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, one of ten children of Samuel and Lucy Blackburn (née Ashmore). Sadly three of the children died as infants, two during the 1926 Miner’s Strike. The surviving children other than Sydney, were Annie, Edna, Samuel, Cyril, Arthur and Olive. Syd, as he preferred to be known, attended St Thomas’ Church School in Worsbrough Dale. At the age of 14, he left school to begin work in the pits, as a tramer for his father at Barrow Colliery.


He received no wages for his job, only a small sum from his father, and this enabled him to earn more as he was paid by the tram load. Syd married Norah Jagger in 1932, and they had a daughter, Wendy. Syd soon moved on from Barrow Colliery, and began work at Barnsley Main Colliery as a shotfirer, and it was there that on 7 May 1947, his gallantry action would take place.


On 21 November 1947, the London Gazette announced the award of Edward Medals in Bronze to Harry Crummack and Sydney Blackburn. He received his medal alongside Harry at Buckingham Palace in December 1947. Syd returned down the pits at Barnsley Main soon after the incident, and remained in the occupation until an accident left him with a broken neck and lucky to be alive. He had recently become a Deputy and was part of the NACODS Trade Union, and decided that having cheated death, it was time to retire.


In 1971, following the change of the Royal Warrant, Syd elected to exchange his Edward Medal for a George Cross. He donated the Edward Medal to Leeds City Museum. In retirement, he enjoyed gardening and spending time with his brothers Sam and Cyril at Barrow Working Men’s Club. Syd passed away on 15 December 1991, in Barnsley and was cremated at Barnsley Crematorium. His ashes were scattered in the North Glade.


Sold with a quantity of original documents including named award certificate for Jubilee Medal; Home Office letters advising of award of E.M. and investiture for same; National Coal Board letter of congratulations on award of E.M.; Investiture admission pass; Home Office letter of 11 April 1969, advising of entitlement to a tax-free annual gratuity of £100; Home Office letter of 17 November 1972, advising Blackburn that his Edward Medal, in exchange for the George Cross, has been presented to the Leeds City Museum in accordance with his wishes; 13 contemporary news cuttings concerning the award of the “Miners’ V.C. for Barnsley Main men” and two later ones of him receiving the exchange G.C. in 1972; 23 photographs covering the original investiture, the visit of King George and Queen Elizabeth to Yorkshire in September 1948, on which occasion Blackburn was presented to them both, as well as others of the later investiture in 1972 and various V.C. and G.C. Association ceremonies; a good quantity of Christmas Cards and invitations from the V.C. and G.C. Association to various receptions, reunion dinners, services of remembrance and re-dedication, etc.; together with a signed copy of Allan Stanistreet’s ‘Gainst All Disaster with in excess of 50 V.C. and G.C. autographs.


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