A scarce first world war Edward Medal for Industry in silver awarded to Foreman Alfred Hamilton for gallantry when a shell exploded at the National Shell Filling Factory in October 1917. 

Edward Medal (Industry), GVR, Silver, 1st Type Obverse, 2nd Type Reverse named to Alfred Hamilton 

London Gazette: 26th March 1918. Whitehall, 23rd March, 1918
His Majesty has been graciously pleased to award the Edward Medal in silver to Steven Arthur Rubythorn, Foreman Filler; Alfred Hamilton, Foreman; John Harrison, in charge of steam pressures; Ernest Charles Allen, Fitter; and Harry Butcher, Fireman.

Under the following  circumstances – 
  ‘On the 5th October, 1917, an accident occurred at the National Shell Filling Factory. A large shell exploded in the Melt House, killing two men and filling the place with thick smoke. At the time of the explosion more than 4,000 filled shells were in the Melt House, and several trucks of shells caught fire. Regardless of the great danger to which they were exposed, the men seized extinguishers, and, rushing through the smoke, played them on the fire, and, with the help of other men, the fire was put out. By their presence of mind and courage these men probably averted a great disaster.’

“Heroic Endeavour” by D.V. Henderson, G.M., offers further incite;
   ‘On 5 October 1917 a potentially disastrous explosion occurred in the Melt House of the National Shell Filling Factory at Chilwell, Nottinghamshire. At 3.25am a 12-inch H.E. shell exploded enveloping the building in thick smoke and setting several other buildings on fire. Two men were killed, four were injured and a splinter weighing over one hundred pounds travelled half a mile. At the time over four thousand one hundred shells (calibres 6-inch to 15-inch) were on the floor of the Melt House only nine hundred being closed at the fuze hole.’

Only 25 Edward Medals for Industry in Silver were ever awarded and in 1971 living recipients were invited to exchange their medals for the George Cross.

Comes with research.