CHIMNEY TOP HEROES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20668, 13 September 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

CHIMNEY TOP HEROES.

"CIVILIAN V.C" AWARDED.

SAVING A MATE'S LIFE.

Heroism which they treated as part of an ordinary day's work earned for two workmen tho Edward Medal, or " Civilian V.C." Their gallantry was revealed by tho announcement that the King had awarded the medal to Thomas Pearson Fleming and Nicholas Whitehead. Whilo painting a chimney lb.sft. high, at the Dcrwont works of tho United Steel Company, Thomas Browis collapsed. Falling back unconscious, he hung, head downwards, with his foot entangled in tho ropes of tho " chair in which ho had beon sitting. 1' leming, who was working 90ft. below, promptly secured tho ropes holding tho chair, and, climbing a vertical ladder at express speed, reached tho helpless man and supported his body. Fleming was joined by Whitehead—who is only 17—and the pair lifted Browis into tho " chair " and held him in position whilo ho was lowered to tho ground. Tho ascent was dangerous, but tho descent was even more risky. Both men were in great danger tho wliolo time, Fleming, in particular, descending most of tho way with his body at an angle of 60 degrees to tho iron laddor.