Retired police office and historian Stephen Wilson continues his series looking at officers who have received awards for outstanding bravery in the line of duty

At about 1.30pm on August 20, 1929, five local boys Vincent Butler, 11, his brother Terence, 8, Charles Fulshaw, 11, Walter Metcalfe, 9, and George Schofield went to explore the disused quarry workings at Pike Law Quarry at Sykeside, Haslingden.

The holes or tunnels had long been a play place for generations of boys in the area.

The boys entered the tunnels equipped with some candles and matches. George Schofield went only a short distance into the tunnels before turning around and making his way out without difficulty.

The remaining boys crawled into a tunnel, but as Charles Fulshaw passed through behind the others a fall of earth partially blocked the hole and a stone fell on his foot, injuring him.

On the far side of the hole the foul air in the tunnel put the candles out and they could not be relit. In the darkness they could not find their way out and after walking for some time due to the foul air they fell asleep.

The boys’ parents became concerned as they had not returned for tea. George Schofield told the parents where the other boys had gone to. A search was begun at the quarry by men who knew the tunnels and other places without success. At 10pm the police were informed.

Ex-iron ore miner PC 122 Thomas Braithwaite immediately went to the quarry and searched one drift thoroughly without finding the children.

He was told that the other two drifts had already been searched but along with two civilians John Paton and Joseph Holden decided to look again.

After going through one drift for about 200 yards they came to a place where there was a wall with a hole of about two feet in diameter through which Braithwaite and his companions crawled.

They went along a low passage dripping with moisture and in a very foul atmosphere for a distance of over half a mile, calling out and flashing a torch before they discovered the boys huddled together on a heap of shale. The children were all brought out to safety at about 12.45am and returned to their parents.

It was a very dark wet night and it is difficult to give sufficient praise to Braithwaite, the leader of the rescue party for his perseverance and high courage in forcing a way through the hole along a dangerous low passage in foul air and in great peril from falling stones.

The children undoubtedly owed their lives to Braithwaite and his brave companions.

In recognition of his actions he was awarded the King’s Police Medal which was presented on March 4, 1930, at Buckingham Palace.

Thomas Braithwaite was born at Cleator Moor, Cumberland, in 1899. He joined Lancashire Constabulary in February 1922 and had been stationed at Haslingden for a number of years.

His previous occupation was as an iron ore miner at Cleator Moor, Cumberland. Thomas Braithwaite had also served as a soldier with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment during the Great War.

In addition to the award of the King’s Police Medal and Lancashire Constabulary Merit Badge, he was also awarded a Certificate of Honour by The Order of St John of Jerusalem.

He served until November 1947, having reached the rank of Sergeant and at that time was serving at Kirkham. He had been commended by the Chief Constable on several occasions for good Police work after the rescue at Pike Law Quarry.

Forgotten Heroes: A Record of Police Gallantry Awards in the Lancashire County Palatine by Stephen Wilson is available online from Amazon, from bookshops and from the author via enquiries@forgotten-heroes.uk