The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-08-12 00:00:00

AN ACT OF BRAVERY.

In the Home of Commons, on Monday evening, on
the report of Supply, Lord Elcho rose, in pursuance of
a notice which had stood a long time on the paper, to
call attention to an act of bravery on the part of John
Chiddy, whosacrificed his life to prevent an aocidentto
the "Flying Dutchman," on the Bristol and Exeter
Railway. He perceived a large block of stone on the
line just before the train passed by at a speed of fifty
miles an hour, arid, by great prompiterde and energy,
he managed to remove it before the train reached
the spot. In all probability he averted a great
catastrophe, but at the cost of his own life, for he
was caught by the train and killed on the spot. He
was a quarry foreman nearly fifty years of age, and
he had left a family unprovided for. He did not know
what the railway company had done for them, or
whether it had done anything; but such an act of
bravery ought to receive public recognition, by distinc-
tion if the man survived, and compensation to his
family if he lest his life. It might be said this was a
case for public sub cription, and the answer was that
an appeal had produced £3 17s. Bravery in the field
was recognised by the Victoria Cross, and bravery at
sea by the Albert Medal, and if a civilian was called
upon to perform an act of bravery, it ought to be re-
cognised, and if he risked his life, he ought to do so
with the consciousness that his family would not be
dependent on charity or the workhouse. In Germany
a sum of £50.000 a year was set aside to meet cases
like that of John Chiddy; and if the Chancellor of
the Exchequer would do something for the family of
John Chiddy, he would be supported by the sympathy
of the nation at large. (Hear, hear.)
The Chancellor of the Exchequer did not think it
possible for the House or the Government to take any
action in this matter unless some more formal repre-
sentation had been made. If such a representation
were made, it would, of course, receive consideration.
The fact was that the Government had no funds
available for rewards in cases of this kind, although
there had been instances in which small sums or medals
had been given by the Government-to mark the sense
which they entertained of acts of gallantry and the
like. His noble friend had, he thought, rather set
aside the railway company in the matter. This man
was in the service of the company, and he risked and
lost his life in rendering a great and essential servi es to
that company, (Hear.) He not only saved them from
the loss of valuable property but from having to pay
compensation afterwards. It was, therefore he
thought, rather for the railway company, to Which,
in the first instance, representations should be ad.
dressed as to the granting an allowance to the man's
family. The House would feel that, without being
cold and indifferent in the matter, it was the duty of
the Government to wait until the matter came more
formally and more regularly before them.
Mr. Baillie Cochrane said that the Chancellor of the
Ex.lequer had made an important admission, because
he had stated that the railway company should make
provision for this man's family, inasmuch as he had
lost his life in their service. There was at present a
large subscription list being raised on behalf of the suf-
ferers by the accident on the nunderer and their
families. He wished to put it to the Government
whether, the men having perished in the service of the
country, it was not for the Government to come for-
ward and relieve them. (Hear.)