South Yorkshire Times, February 5th, 1944
Struggle for Life in Pit Shaft
Manvers Workman Saves Injured Father
Hit By Brick
Details of a dramatic adventure involving two men, father, and son, in No. 3 Pit Shaft at Manvers Main, have been brought to light by way of a presentation in the pit canteen, on Tuesday, of Savings Certificates to Percy Houlton (30) of 3, The Tanyard, Golf Links, West Melton, who rescued his father from almost certain death in the shaft.
Mr. Percy Houlton and his father, Mr. Bob Houlton (64) have been jointly responsible for the condition of conductor rails and tackle in winding shafts at Manvers. On November 11th last year they were working together at the top of a cage in No. 3 shaft when a piece of brick fell from the shaft and struck Mr. Bob Houlton on the head, causing a fracture of the skull and brain injury. The father collapsed and fell partly off the cage, being held by his safety belt and chain.
Percy Houlton attempted to hold his father by his feet but was prevented by his own safety chain from getting a proper grip, and the father hung head downwards over the side of the cage. Percy then stopped the cage and undid his own safety chain, on which he took the 13-stone weight of his father, and lowered him inch by inch until he could swing him into the top-deck of the cage. He achieved this by lying flat on the top of the cage, and after getting his father on the top deck he carried him by taking his weight on the safety chain. Acting with great presence of mind, he pulled his lamp, rapping plate and hammer towards him with his foot and with his free hand signalled the cage to the bottom 300 feet away.
Miraculous Escape
During the cage’s descent, Percy Houlton’s one arm was inside the cage supporting his father and it was miraculous how he escaped injury to his own head from the shaft wall. He succeeded in getting his father to the shaft bottom without further injury. The father is at present recuperating in Derbyshire.
The Colliery Sub-Safety Committee were unanimous in their wish that Mr. Percy Houlton’s conduct should be brought to the attention of the Company. The Board of Directors unanimously decided to acknowledge the courageous actions and to extend to him heartiest congratulations and admiration of the feat.
Admiral Sir Thomas Spence Lyne, (Chief Welfare Officer), handed the Savings Certificates to Mr. Percy Houlton on behalf of the directors.