welsh miner?

on a trip to wales l went into a pub and got talking to some of the locals, all of a sudden a right ugly bugger came into the bar, l began to laugh to myself, but the locals said you must not laugh at taffy as he's a national hero around here, l asked why and was told that when taffy worked down the mines, there was a cave in. taffy stood with one of the main ceiling struts balanced on his head whilst all the men and pit ponies were lead to safety, l was feeling ashamed that l laughted at him when he came into the bar, is that why he's face is deformed l enquired.. no thats where the hit him with the shovel three times to wedge him under the ceiling strut.