Albert's 80-year-old grandson Noel Snailham, himself now a retired miner and former mine rescue team member, recalled the mixed emotions his mother felt at this act of selflessness.

BBC: 1913 Senghenydd mine disaster: Tragedy and heroism

One of them, a retired union coal miner, was identified to me as if he were a rare species of bird.

NEWYORKER: The Hardest Vote