The Edward Medal 1907-1971
Mines
The Edward Medal, named for King Edward VII, is a British civilian decoration which was instituted by Royal Warrant on July 13, 1907 to recognize acts of bravery by miners and quarrymen, who endangered their lives to rescue their fellow workers. The original Royal Warrant was amended by a further Royal Warrant on December 1, 1909 to encompass acts of bravery by all industrial workers in factory accidents and disasters, thus creating two distinct versions of the Edward Medal: Mines and Industry.
Edward VII Edward Medal: Bronze Mines Type 1
Edward Bronze Mines Type 2 and George V Bronze Mines
In both case (Mines and Industry), the circular medal was divided in two grades: first class (silver) and second class (bronze). A third Warrant in August 1917, designated the award as the Edward Medal in Silver and the Edward Medal. The ribbon for both was dark blue and edged with yellow. Peculiarly, the cost of the Edward Medal (Mines) was borne by a fund established by a group of philanthropists (including prominent mine owners) and not the kingdom.
The Edward Medal (Mines) has been awarded only 395 times (77 silver and 318 bronze) and the Edward Medal (Industry) only 188 times (25 silver and 163 bronze, of which only two were awarded to women), thus making the Edward Medal one of rarest British gallantry awards. Only posthumous awards were made after 1949, and the Edward Medal (Industry - 1st class) has not been awarded since 1948. The Edward Medal was discontinued in 1971, when surviving recipients of the Edward Medal (along with holders of the Albert Medal) were invited to exchange their award for the George Cross. Nine (2 silver and 7 bronze) elected not to exchange their medals.
Elizabeth II Bronze Mines and George V Original Bronze Industry Reverse
The Edward Medal (Mines), designed by W. Reynolds-Stephens had the reigning sovereign's profile on the obverse, while the reverse had a miner rescuing a stricken miner, with the text FOR COURAGE across the top.
Industry
The Edward Medal (Industry) had the sovereign's profile on the obverse, while the reverse was originally a worker helping an injured co-worker with a factory in the background, and the words FOR COURAGE diagonally across the top. A 2nd reverse type was issued in 1912. It featured a female figure holding a laurel branch against a factory skyline.
The Edward Medal (Industry) was awarded for acts of bravery in factory accidents and disasters in two classes: 1st (silver) and 2nd (bronze) class. However, no 1st class medals have been awarded since 1948.
Edward Medal (industry) 1st Class George V Type 2 Reverse and Model 2 Crowned Effigy
Living recipients of the Edward Medal (Industry) were invited in 1971 to exchange their Edward Medal for the George Cross. The Edward Medal (Industry) is now only awarded posthumously. Since its introduction in December 1909, only 25 silver and 163 bronze Edward Medals (Industry) have been awarded.
George V Industry Silver Model 1 Type 2 Reverse
Mines
The Edward Medal, named for King Edward VII, is a British civilian decoration which was instituted by Royal Warrant on July 13, 1907 to recognize acts of bravery by miners and quarrymen, who endangered their lives to rescue their fellow workers. The original Royal Warrant was amended by a further Royal Warrant on December 1, 1909 to encompass acts of bravery by all industrial workers in factory accidents and disasters, thus creating two distinct versions of the Edward Medal: Mines and Industry.
Edward VII Edward Medal: Bronze Mines Type 1
Edward Bronze Mines Type 2 and George V Bronze Mines
In both case (Mines and Industry), the circular medal was divided in two grades: first class (silver) and second class (bronze). A third Warrant in August 1917, designated the award as the Edward Medal in Silver and the Edward Medal. The ribbon for both was dark blue and edged with yellow. Peculiarly, the cost of the Edward Medal (Mines) was borne by a fund established by a group of philanthropists (including prominent mine owners) and not the kingdom.
The Edward Medal (Mines) has been awarded only 395 times (77 silver and 318 bronze) and the Edward Medal (Industry) only 188 times (25 silver and 163 bronze, of which only two were awarded to women), thus making the Edward Medal one of rarest British gallantry awards. Only posthumous awards were made after 1949, and the Edward Medal (Industry - 1st class) has not been awarded since 1948. The Edward Medal was discontinued in 1971, when surviving recipients of the Edward Medal (along with holders of the Albert Medal) were invited to exchange their award for the George Cross. Nine (2 silver and 7 bronze) elected not to exchange their medals.
Elizabeth II Bronze Mines and George V Original Bronze Industry Reverse
The Edward Medal (Mines), designed by W. Reynolds-Stephens had the reigning sovereign's profile on the obverse, while the reverse had a miner rescuing a stricken miner, with the text FOR COURAGE across the top.
Industry
The Edward Medal (Industry) had the sovereign's profile on the obverse, while the reverse was originally a worker helping an injured co-worker with a factory in the background, and the words FOR COURAGE diagonally across the top. A 2nd reverse type was issued in 1912. It featured a female figure holding a laurel branch against a factory skyline.
The Edward Medal (Industry) was awarded for acts of bravery in factory accidents and disasters in two classes: 1st (silver) and 2nd (bronze) class. However, no 1st class medals have been awarded since 1948.
Edward Medal (industry) 1st Class George V Type 2 Reverse and Model 2 Crowned Effigy
Living recipients of the Edward Medal (Industry) were invited in 1971 to exchange their Edward Medal for the George Cross. The Edward Medal (Industry) is now only awarded posthumously. Since its introduction in December 1909, only 25 silver and 163 bronze Edward Medals (Industry) have been awarded.
George V Industry Silver Model 1 Type 2 Reverse
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