South Yorkshire Times: Saturday, March 28th, 1959
“Workers’ V.C.” For West Melton Man
A Foreman Fitter, who lowered himself repeatedly into an ammonia vat, filled with boiling water, in a vain attempt to save a workmate, has been awarded the “Daily Herald” Order of Industrial Heroism, often known as the “workers’ V.C.”
He is 35-years-old Mr. G Parker, of 101, Barnsley Road, West Melton.
The manhole cover of an ammonia in diameter saturator, a vat 18 feet and 30 feet deep, had been left open during a boiling-out process, while the tank was being repaired at Manvers Main Coking Plant, in the early morning of February 12th.
During the operation, a sulphate plant attendant, 50-years-old James Littlewood, fell through the manhole into an inferno, of ammoniated boiling water and steam.
Foreman Guy Parker at once ordered the tank to be drained.
But without waiting for the operation to be completed, Parker donned a gas mask and lowered himself to look for Littlewood, down a ladder to enter through the manhole. Three times he attempted to the vat, but was driven out by the intense heat. On his fourth descent he was able to see Littlewood lying on the bottom of the tank.
Equipped with a rope, Guy Parker went down a fifth time into the vat. Hoping that Littlewood might still be alive, he tied a rope round him and then helped the rescuers above to lift him out. It was found however, that Little-wood had died from his extensive injuries.
At the inquest, the Coroner paid tribute to Guy Parker for his efforts to recover Littlewood “at considerable risk to his own health and life.”