South Yorkshire Times, January 12th, 1934
Carnegie Award
Daring Descent Of Old Mine Shaft
Wath Man’s Gallantry
An interesting ceremony was performed at the Town Hall, Wath, on Monday evening when, on behalf of the Carnegie Hero Fund Trustees, Coun. J. T. Shaw, J.P. (Chairman of the Wath U.D.C.) presented a certificate and £15 to Mr. George Thomas Cutts, 29 Pottery Yard, Wath, who at great personal risk recovered the body of Richd. Dalton (11), son of Richard Dalton, miner, 39 Riley Road, Wath, from a disused mineshaft at Newhill last June.
While birdnesting with three other boys in the vicinity of the mine, Richard Dalton presumably climbed the eight-footwall surrounding the shaft and slipped in, falling about 300 feet. Efforts to recover his body were unsuccessful until the following day, when Cutts was lowered by a few friends, and without the aid of apparatus brought the boy to the surface.
The shaft was that of the old Melton Main pit which closed about fifty years ago
In making the presentation, Coun. Shaw said it was the most interesting ceremony he had performed during his year of office. The local authority had made every endeavour to gain recognition for this act of gallantry. The chairman read the inscription on the certificate “This is presented by the Trustees in recognition of a heroic endeavour to save human life, to George Cutts of Wath-on-Dearne, 27th June 1933”.
Coun. T. Varney (vice-chairman) of the council said it was a red-letter day both for the local authority and for Mr. Cutts. He thanked everyone who helped and only regretted that all could not have received recognition,
Coun. M. R. Swift referred to Mr. Cutts as a typical example of Yorkshire grit.
Mr. Cutts thanked everyone responsible for the presentation and said he believed he had only done his duty.