A VALLEYS mining disaster hero was remembered at a ceremony to commemorate his bravery yesterday.

John Harris was given the Albert Medal for gallantry in 1879 to recognise his efforts in helping to save 90 people in the Abercarn Colliery disaster on September 11, 1878. It was the predecessor to the George Cross and is one of only 45 ever awarded for saving life on land.

Passed down the generations to distant relative Pat Eatwell, of Blaina, it lay forgotten in a drawer for more than 40 years before it was put up for auction a few years ago.

It sold for £5,400 - £2,000 more than expected to the then Assi Domain Packaging, now Smurfit Kappa, whose factory is on the former colliery site at the Prince of Wales Industrial Estate.

Mrs Eatwell and her husband Gordon were there yesterday to see the medal go on display, along with a picture of the former mason, in the factory’s conference room.

The Abercarn mining disaster is still considered Gwent's worst. after an underground explosion ripped through the mine killing 268 people.

Disregarding his own safety, Mr Harris joined rescuers and slid down a guide rope after a cage got stuck 295 feet underground.

There he stayed for many hours until all who were alive reached him and were taken to the surface.

The mine was later flooded with 35 million gallons of water to put the fire out.

In 2010 a memorial to all those who died was placed at Abercarn Cemetery.