Star of Courage
Awarded on: 1980-11-03
Invested on: 1981-03-09
Owen Jones, aged sixteen, died in the attempt to rescue his younger brother from a well at Kirkfield on 10 October 1979. The two boys had been cleaning the well belonging to a neighbour, when the younger one got into difficulties. Owen went down after his brother, while the neighbour went to Mr. Barnett for help. The latter, with Owen pushing from below, succeeded in bringing the victim up. Owen tried to follow but was overcome by fumes. Mr. Barnett then tied a rope round his own ankles, descended and fastened the rope to Owen. When, however, the boy was brought up, all efforts to revive him were in vain. Mr. Barnett, also affected by gas, had to be treated in hospital.