Photo: the Bolton and District Humane Society Medal, specially designed to commemorate the actions of rescuers on December 21 1910. © Bolton Museum and Art Gallery.

A set of medals awarded to Alfred Tonge for his part in the rescue attempts at the Pretoria Pit Disaster of 1910 has been acquired by Bolton Museum.

Tonge, a former manager of the pit in Westhoughton, Lancashire, led rescuers as a massive explosion took the lives of 344 miners just four days before Christmas.

"The Pretoria Pit disaster is an event that is still talked about by local people – it changed so many lives," explained Sean Baggaley, Keeper of Social History.

"Alfred Tonge was the most highly decorated of all the rescuers but until now we had no idea where his medals were."

Photo: the Edward Medal (mines), a civilian gallantry award for life-saving in mines and quarries. © Bolton Museum and Art Gallery.

The medals, three bravery awards and an earlier award Tonge received after completing his apprenticeship in 1890, only came to light after the recent death of his niece.

Now based in Scotland, the family didn’t know what the artefacts were; so Evelyn Paton, executor for Miss Tonge’s estate, contacted Bolton Museum and sent the medals for identification.

"Amazingly," added Sean, "none of Alfred’s surviving relatives had any idea of his acts of bravery."

It was on December 21 in 1910 that a massive explosion at the Hulton Colliery, which was known locally as Pretoria Pit and employed 2500, killed 344 men.

Photo: only 10 Edward Medals were awarded as a result of the Pretoria Pit Disaster. © Bolton Museum and Art Gallery.

In total 900 men and boys, all local, had clocked on for the morning shift while the rest of the community prepared for Christmas.

Reports at the time stated that a number of men had complained about gas and hot air in the mines, while debris from a large roof fall the day before had not been completely cleared.

The final conclusion was that the roof collapsing caused a build-up of gas and a faulty lamp ignited it. A relief fund was immediately set up for families and dependants and an incredible £145,000 was raised.

Today a memorial stands in the graveyard of St. Bartholomew’s Church and a service is held each year in remembrance of the tragic loss.

Photo: the Life Saving Medal of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. © Bolton Museum and Art Gallery.

The bravery medals awarded to Alfred were the Edward Medal (mines), a civilian gallantry award for life-saving in mines and quarries, the Life Saving medal of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and the Bolton and District Humane Society Medal, which was specially designed to commemorate the actions of December 21, 1910.

"These medals are an important part of our local history and we are delighted to add them to our collection of Pretoria Pit items," said Cllr Martin Cox, Bolton Council Executive Member for Culture.

"Bolton Museums Service has an extensive collection of items relating to local history that gives a fascinating insight into Bolton and the lives of people who lived in the borough."

The set of medals is set to go on display at the museum alongside other items that help tell the story of the disaster.