Fire at Union Mills : 27th November 1918

Two Killed and Six Injured near Halifax

A serious fire at occurred yesterday at Union Mills, Holmfield, near Halifax, occupied by Nahum's Limited, cotton doublers, and a warehouse adjoining in the occupation of Smith, Bulmer & Company, and M. and M. Calvert, worsted spinners.

The two women who lost their lives were

• Ellen Watson [b 1878] of Boothtown
• Elizabeth Hack [b 1858] of 15, Tennyson Street, Lee Mount

Both were fatally injured trying to make their escape.

Many of the workers got out, but others working on the upper storeys did not make use of the staircase or fire escape emergency ladders, but began to slide down the crane chain. They said they did so as the fire was spreading into the staircase, filling it with smoke. Ellen Watson was killed sliding down the chain and Elizabeth A. Hack died in the Infirmary.

The other persons admitted to the Infirmary were

• Alma Baker of 18 New Bank
• Sarah A. Spedding (aged 64) of 16 Palm Street, Boothtown
• Annie Brook (aged 19) of 4 Stoney Lane, Ovenden
• Annie Broadbent (aged 47) of 27 Holdsworth Road, Holmfield
• Annie Whitehead (aged 19) of 27 Ploughcroft Lane, Boothtown
• Agnes ?? (age 40) of 46 Nursery Lane, Ovenden

For Courage – King Decorates Holmfield Youth

The King held an open air investiture in the Quadrangle of Buckingham Palace yesterday morning. The Edward Medal was awarded to seven recipients for gallantry. Among those was George Hoyle of Lower Schole Farm, Bradshaw, the hero of the Holmfield fire.

His Majesty received him very kindly and asked Hoyle his age, being apparently struck by the fact that one so young should have won such an honour,

Hoyle told him he was 16, and when asked how long he had been working replied

four years

The King said

I am proud to decorate you with this medal

Hoyle was accompanied by Mr L. Burke, manager of Messrs Nahum's, Holmfield.

A report published in the Gazette said that the fire spread with great rapidity.

Hoyle, who was in the basement, took a fire extinguisher and ran up to the third floor and then warned all the women employed on the upper floor.

By this time both staircases were burning so he opened the crane door, and, after seeing the chain was run out to its full length, drew it in and assisted 25 women to descend it.

He remained until last and descended without injury. He had saved the lives of upwards of 20 women at the risk of his own

Applicant Faints in Court

Before His Honour Judge A. W. Bairstow, a claim under the Workman's Compensation Scheme was heard, applicant being Alma Baker (who claimed through her father) of 18 New Bank, the defendants were Messrs Nahum's Ltd, Salterhebble, cotton doublers.

She was one of the workpeople who came down the chain. She sustained a badly sprained ankle, injuries to the right arm and nervous shock. Respondents admitted liability and paid compensation of 19/8d. per week up to May 3rd. Applicant resumed work on September 22nd with Messrs J. & J. Baldwin, but that was different to the work at Nahum's as she was able to sit down at certain intervals. The claim was for compensation at the rate of 19/8d. per week between May 3rd and September 22nd, a period of 19 weeks amounting to £18 13/8d. Between May and September, she had tried to get light work. Compensation was stopped on May 3rd but she could not remember the date when she complained to Mr Bates or her solicitor. Mr Burrows, for the respondents, said that after the accident she was taken to the Infirmary but she was sent home the same night.

At this stage the applicant fainted and the hearing was adjourned