If The Stones Could Talk- Tales from St Woolos Cemetery

Plot RC D Grave No. 140 Block 28.
Thomas DOWD, killed at Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron & Coal Co. wharf.
Buried 04-07-1930 aged 53 (unmarked grave).

His death was reported in the local press :-

“KILLED BY PITPROP.
Newport Victim of Dockside Accident.

During the unloading of a ship at the Pontypool wharf of the Ebbw Vale Steel, Iron and Coal Company (Limited), at Newport on Monday Tom Dowd of Granville-street, Newport, general labourer was struck on the forehead and killed by a pitprop which fell.

His brother, Daniel Dowd, who was on board the ship, witnessed the accident.”

Thomas is buried with his father, Cornelius Dowd, who was buried on the 12-07-1937 aged 83.

Another son of Cornelius and brother of Thomas, Alfred Llewellyn Dowd, is buried in the adjacent plot (No. 130), buried 1974 aged 93, with his wife, Leah Elizabeth Dowd, buried 1942 aged 59, and a son, also named Alfred Llewellyn Dowd, was died at 10 years old and was buried in 1930.

Thomas Family Tragedies.
Plots (1) FC D Grave 13 Block 2 and (2) FC D Grave 201 Block 1.

(1) Plot FC D Grave No. 13 Block 2.
Interments:
Albert Thomas. Buried 23-03-1881. 23y. Killed at the Old Dock, Newport. Abode George Street.
William Thomas. Buried 02-08-1881. 58y. Killed at the Old Dock, Newport. Abode 32 Upper George Street.
Elizabeth Thomas. Buried 04-10-1885. 59y. Abode 32 Upper George Street.

The death of Albert Thomas was reported in the local media on the 26 March 1881:
“FRIGHTFUL DEATH : - On Friday night, as an Italian ship was having a cargo of iron ore discharged, in the old dock, a labourer, name Albert Thomas, was working in the hold, when a large iron bucket, which had been filled with iron ore, was being hoisted on deck. The chain broke, and the bucket fell upon Thomas, killing him, and crushing the body dreadfully. His remains had to be placed in a sheet before being removed. Deceased has left a widow and baby. He lived in George-street.”

The inquest was reported the same day:
“An inquest was held on Monday (before Mr W. H. Brewer, coroner) on the body of Albert Thomas, a labourer, who, as already reported, was killed by being knocked on the head by the handle of a winch, while working at the Alexandra Dock, on Friday. A verdict of “Accidental death” was returned.”

The death of William Thomas (father of Albert) was reported on the 30 July 1881:
“SHOCKING ACCIDENT AT THE DOCKS. On Thursday afternoon a shocking accident occurred to a man named William Thomas, living at 32 George-street, causing his death instantaneously. The deceased, who was in the employ of the Blaenavon Company, was about to cross the railway sidings opposite the engine-house, when a locomotive came down the line and whistled a short distance from where Thomas was walking, but he, having some chains across his shoulder, it is supposed he could not get out of the way quick enough, and he was knocked down by the engine, his head falling upon the rail which the engine passed over, scattering his brains about the line, and also mangling other parts of his body. The remains were taken to the mortuary at Pill police-station to await the inquest, which will be held to-day (Saturday). About four months ago his son was also killed at the old dock.”

Another casualty of the docks – Charles Thomas, a hobbling pilot, and another son of the above William Thomas and a brother of Albert Thomas - is buried in an adjacent block.
(2) Plot FC D Grave No. 201 Block 1.
Interments:
Henry Thomas. Buried 14-12-1879. 1y 9m. 38 George Street.
Albert Thomas. Buried 13-01-1884. 8m. 19 Granville Street.
Ann Thomas. Buried 10-04-1887. 36y. 19 Granville Street.
Charles Thomas. Buried 19-10-1890. 42y. Drowned in the River (abode George Street).

The death of Charles was reported in the local media on Friday, 17 October, 1890.
“DROWNING OF A HOBBLER.
On Saturday morning Charles Thomas, a well known hobbling pilot, living in George-street, was drowned in the River Usk, but the circumstances attending the fatality are not at present fully known. The empty boat of the deceased was discovered drifting about.
It is believed that deceased was towed down river in his boat at the rear of an outgoing steamer, of which Mr. Thompson, pilot was in charge, that the boat filled, and broke away, the accident being unobserved from the steamer. It is stated that the father and a brother of the unfortunate man was drowned, and that another brother was killed whilst working at a Newport wharf.
The body of Thomas was picked up just outside the Alexandra Dock on Sunday and conveyed to his late home.
The second enquiry had reference to the drowning of Charles Thomas, 42 years of age, a hobbling pilot living in George-street, who lost his life on Saturday last, the body being recovered just outside the Alexandra Dock on the following day.
John Stowell, a coal trimmer, deposed :- I knew deceased well, and picked up his body just off the Alexandra Dock about 11 o’clock on Sunday morning. I knew nothing whatever of the circumstances which led to his death.
A written statement of Mr Thompson, pilot, who was from home, was put in. It stated that deceased got a tow from the ‘Jane Radcliffe’, which left port on Saturday. His painter rope was not caught when flung, and the hobbling boat was sucked towards the propeller of the steamer, was sunk, and the disappearance of the deceased was unnoticed.
The Coroner remarked that he must get this evidence on oath, and the inquest was adjourned until Saturday next for this purpose.”

Two memorials in St Woolos Cemetery to the tragic night of the 1st July 1941 when huge German parachuted land mines fell on the Maindee, Eveswell and Beechwood areas of Newport, killing over 30 people and injuring over 40 more.

The Gimlett family of 13 Eveswell Street lost seven members, and are buried in plot 6 & 14 in block FC D 24. The Thomas family of 16 Eveswell Street lost five members, four of whom are buried in plot 181 in block Con D 24. Sadly, the remains of the mother could not be identified along with a number of others, and these unidentified remains are buried in a special plot in Christchurch Cemetery.

Plot FC D Grave No. 4 Block 8.
Henry VIVIAN.
Born 1839, Penryn, Cornwall.
Died 29 March 1928 aged 89.
Buried 2 April 1928, St Woolos Cemetery.

Henry Vivian was a Crimean War veteran. He joined the Navy at the age of thirteen, and during the Crimean War served in the Black Sea. He was on the ship “Tiger” when she went ashore, and was taken prisoner by the Russians. After 90 days he and his comrades were exchanged and sent to Constantinople. He continued to serve in various ships until the end of the war. In later years he was in the merchant service, and after leaving the sea served as a watchman in the waterworks and tramways departments of Newport Corporation.

Henry married Ellen Williams in 1862 in Cornwall. His daughter, Sarah Ellen Vivian, married John Henry Rees, a coal merchant of Newport, in 1887.

Henry is buried with his daughter, son-in-law and 2 infant grand-children.

His death was reported in the local media:

LATE MR. H. VIVIAN, NEWPORT.
Mr. Henry Vivian (89), of 30 Grafton-road, Newport, a Crimean War veteran, was buried in Newport Cemetery on Monday.
The Rev. Harry Abraham officiated.
The chief mourners were Mr. J. H. Rees (son-in-law), Mr. R. Evans, Mr. J. O. Rees and A. H. Rees (grandsons).

Memorial, Plot Con D Grave No. 74 Block 21.
William Frank FROST, 2nd Lt., 21st Batt., Royal Field Artillery.
Killed in action, France, 17th October, 1918.
Husband of Beatrice Maud Frost, 64 Llanthewy Road, Newport and only son of Mrs Matilda Clara Frost, 24 Summerhill Avenue (widow) and grandson of William Frost, 3 Windsor Terrace, Newport. William Frank's father, William Isaac Frost had passed away in 1893 aged 34.

Plot FC C Grave No. 213 Block 78
Evan EVANS.
Died 26th July 1936, 46 Bedford Road, Newport.
Buried 30th July 1936, St Woolos Cemetery.

The unfortunate death of Evan Evans was reported in the local media:

“SERVANT GIRL’S TRAGIC DISCOVERY

Evan Evans, aged about 60, of Bedford-road, Newport, a traffic inspector employed by the Great Western Railway, was found hanging by a rope at his home on Monday.

Evans, a married man, is understood to have been in ill-health for some time.

Mrs. Evans was away from home and the discovery was made by a servant girl who went to the house during the morning.”

Evan is buried with their infant child, who had died in 1906, and his wife, Lillie Florence Thomas, formerly Evans, née Millinchip, whom he had married in 1902 in Newport, and who was buried in 1960 aged 82. Lilllie’s parents (Edwin and Martha Millinchip) are also buried in the same block.

Plot FC A Grave 14-15 Block 61.
Felix Septimus BUDD.
Born 17th March 1853, Lyme Regis, Dorset.
Died 13th July 1934, Newport.
Buried 16th July 1934, St Woolos Cemetery.

Felix Septimus Budd resided in Newport for nearly all of his business life. Coming to Newport in the 1870s as a trader, he became a director of Messrs. Budd & Co. Ltd., coal exporters and pitwood importers, and also a partner in the firm of Messrs. Budd & Co., colliery proprietors, of Newport and Cardiff. He had a long association with the Newport Chamber of Commerce, and, after serving as a member of its council, he became president of the Chamber in 1915. From 1916 to 1919 he was a member of the Newport Corporation, sitting as one of its councillors in representation of the Tredegar Ward. He was a justice of the peace for the County Borough of Newport.

His death was reported in the local press on the 14th July 1934:

“MR. FELIX S. BUDD, NEWPORT.
Coalowner’s Death Aged 82.

Mr. Felix S. Budd. J.P., the prominent Newport coalowner, died on Friday aged 82.

He was father-in-law of the Chief Constable of Newport (Mr. W. H. Robinson) and leaves three children. Major C. F. Budd, Mrs. Robinson, and Mrs. P. Newman, who married the eldest son of Mr. A. A. Newman, the ex-town clerk of Newport.

Mr. Budd, who was a partner in the firm of colliery proprietors and coal exporters of Budd & Co., was one of the best known men in the coal trade of South Wales but took little part in public life.

He sat on Newport Town Council from 1916 to 1919 as a co-opted member, and was president of Newport Chamber of Commerce in 1915. He was also a member of the Free Libraries, Museum, and Art Galleries Committee, and he preferred to fins what relaxation his important business activities permitted him in music and other cultural arts.

For a number of years he took an active interest in the Newport Chamber of Commerce, being elected president in 1915.”

His first wife is buried in London, but on the 6th August 1892 he married Louisa Mullock at Trevethin Church, Pontypool by the Rev. C. E. T. Griffith. Louise was the youngest daughter of the celebrated Newport Victorian artist, James Flewitt Mullock. (See the link https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=294405426245100&set=a.293772729641703 for his burial plot in the cemetery).

Plot Con A Grave No. 43 Block 75 Section 2.
Janet Amelia ANSTEE, wife of Charles Aaron ANSTEE, proprietor of the Potter’s Arms, 22 Dock Street, Newport.
Died Thursday, 28th February 1901.
Buried 4th March 1901, St Woolos Cemetery.

Her death was reported in the local media:

NEWPORT LADY'S TRAGIC DEATH.
Mr. W. Lyndon Moore, held an inquiry at the Town Hall, Newport, on Friday 8th March into the circumstances of the death of Mrs. Janett A. Anstee, wife of Mr. C. A. Anstee, landlord of the Potters' Arms, Newport, who died from injuries received as the result of a fall over the stairs on Thursday morning.
Dr. Morel Thomas said he found deceased in an unconscious condition with a large scalp wound on the back of the head. He attended during the night. but she died at 10 o'clock on Thursday morning. He attributed death to concussion of the brain.—In reply to the Coroner, witness said that deceased was a very heavy woman. He presumed she must have fallen as the result of one of the bannister rails giving way.
Mr. Charles Aaron Anstee, husband of the deceased said his wife was 36 years of age. They supped together on Wednesday night. Afterwards, whilst in the bar, he heard a heavy thud in the passage, and later he was aware of heavy breathing. He went out into the passage and found his wife lying on her back - in the passage in a pool of blood. He also noticed that one of the rails attached to the bannister had given way. He aroused the servants, who had gone to bed, and Dr. Thomas was summoned. His wife not subject to fits and had hitherto been in good health.
This was all the evidence and the jury returned a verdict of accidental death.

Mrs. Janet Anstee is buried with her husband, also with her husband’s son by a previous marriage and one other person. Charles’s first wife, Ellen (née King), had died in 1885 aged 37, and is buried in a large plot with 7 other members of her family in block FC A 64 the cemetery. Ellen’s father, Charles Meyrick King, who had died in 1893 was a brewer’s agent and latterly was the proprietor of the William IV Hotel on Commercial Street, which was carried on subsequently by her mother, Kate Alma King, until her death in 1913.

Plot Con B Grave No. 10 Block 70.
William Gibbs, Proprietor of a number of Newport pubs.
Died 26 May 1902.
Buried 30 May 1902 St Woolos Cemetery.

Reported in the local media at the time:
“DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM GIBBS.
A Popular Newport Landlord Gone.
Mr. William Gibbs, of the Royal Albert Restaurant, Newport, succumbed to his long and painful illness at 6.45 on Monday evening, passing peacefully away in the presence of his wife and his brother-in-law (Mr. T. Morgan). He had been seriously ill for some months, and his condition became very critical about three weeks ago, the malady from which be was suffering flaying then affected both kidneys. His death will be greatly regretted throughout Newport and the district, although the news has unhappily been anticipated for some weeks past. A most popular townsman has gone from amongst us.
Deceased had been ill for some time, he first taking to his bed on the 2nd of January. He was attended by Dr. Brooke Gratte, while Dr. Swain (specialist from Clifton) was called in, and performed an operation about three months since. However, complications set in, and during the last few days Mr. Gibbs lay “in extremis.” Mr. Gibbs was 41 yews of age. A widow, three daughters, and a son are left to mourn their loss, and deep sympathy will be felt for them in their great bereavement. The deceased was twice married.
Although a Lancashire man, the late Mr. Gibbs had been resident in Newport for many years; perhaps the greater part of his life. He formerly went to sea, and held a second mate's certificate. For a long time he was connected with the licensing trade, and had carried on at different periods the Tradesman's Arms (Commercial-street), the Royal Oak (Courtybella-terrace), Castle Hotel (Commercial-road), Lord Raglan (Commercial-street), Exchange (Commercial-street), and the Royal Albert Restaurant (Commercial-street). The latter establishment he took over on the retirement from business of Messrs. J. Ewins and Son, the firm who founded the business some 30 years ago, when its inauguration was celebrated by a banquet presided over by the then Mayor of the borough (the late Mr. L. A. Homfray). The restaurant was at that time felt to be quite an acquisition to the town. Some few years afterwards the Albert Hall (it was popularly known as the Royal Albert Hall) was opened in connection with the restaurant; and public dinners used to take place there, for which the firm catered. A magnificent organ - one of the finest instruments in this part of the country—costing £5,000, was erected in the hall, and this was available for organ recitals as well as other entertainments. The organ has long since been sold. and the hall is now used as the Drill Hall for the Second Vol. Batt. South Wales Borderers.
Some years ago the late Mr. Gibbs was induced to become a candidate for the Borough Council, and he stood as the Trades' Union nominee for the South Ward. That was soon after the formation of Newport Trades' Council. He did not, however, receive the undivided support of the Trades' Unionists, the teetotal element, for one thing, not rallying round him. Defeated at this election, he did not afterwards make any other attempt to join the ranks of the Corporation.
The late Mr. Gibbs interested himself in theatricals some years ago, and was part proprietor of the Victoria Theatre - now the Lyceum - another partner being Mr. Horner, a well-known local musician of that time, and brother of the present Conservative member for North Lambeth, himself an old Newport boy. Several years ago a great fire occurred at the Victoria Theatre at midnight, after everyone had left the building, and enormous damage was done. When the structure was re-built the old name was discarded, and it was given the present title of the Lyceum.
Mr. Gibbs had been a president of the Central Board of Licensed Victuallers and a vice-president of the Newport Association, being very prominent in all that concerned the interests of “the trade.” Some time ago, on the occasion of a district meeting of Licensed Victuallers, held in the City of Bristol, some kindly references were made to him, and a vote of sympathy was then passed with him in his illness.
In the Masonic world Mr. Gibbs was also well known. He was a Past Provincial Grand Registrar and a Past Master of the Albert Edward Lodge. He bad served as Charity Steward for the three Masonic institutions with great success. The last occasion on which Mr. Gibbs was out of doors was when he was elected First Principal of St. Woolos Chapter. Illness set in that night, and he was never invested.
Deceased was well known in connection with many charities, and it can be truly said of him that whatever he took in hand he carried through with energy and ability. In proof of this, reference need only be made to the success of the assault-at-arms which was arranged on behalf of the funds of the N.S.P.C.C.
The funeral takes place on Friday at Newport Cemetery, leaving the house at 2 p.m. Though it will not he a Mass funeral, there is little doubt but that a large number of the brethren of the Province will be present to pay their last tribute of respect.”

William is buried with one of his sons, a daughter and her husband.

Joseph LATCH (1790-1873).

Born in Newport 1790
Died 16 November 1873 at 183 Commercial-road, Newport.
Buried St Woolos Cemetery, 21 November 1873 aged 83, in plot Con A Grave No. 12 Block 76.

Mayor of Newport twice, in 1835-36 and 1845-46. An influential shipowner and colliery proprietor. Sworn in as an alderman of Newport in 1830.

He married Mary Ann Jones from Catcott, Somerset, on the 21 October 1816.

Joseph’s parents, Joseph and Mary Latch are buried in the churchyard of St Woolos Church. They were married at St Woolos Church on the 7 June 1788. Joseph died in 1836 and was buried on the 17 November 1836 aged 88, and his wife Mary was buried on 30 June 1842 aged 78. It is assumed she is buried in the same plot in the Cathedral churchyard, but the headstone is only partly readable, and only Joseph’s name can be seen on it.

Joseph’s brother was William Latch, a well-known watch and clock maker of Newport. He is also buried in St Woolos Cemetery.

Con D Grave 165 Block 14. Memorial to Arthur John Horace KILMISTER, Senior Wireless Officer, who lost his life at sea through enemy action on 21 April 1917 aged 21. Son of Robert Philip and Annie Kilmister of 7 Cedar Road, Newport.

Plot Con D Grave No. 147 Block 3.
John JONES, died 21 October 1909, aged 74.
Buried 28 October 1909.
“Evening Express”, 22 October 1909.
NEWPORT VETERAN’S DEATH
The death took place at Manchester-street, Newport, on Thursday of John Jones, a Crimean and Indian Mutiny veteran. The deceased, who was 74 years of age, was a native of Monmouthshire. He joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1854. Within two months he had landed in the Crimea, where he took part in the siege and fall of Sebastopol, for which he had the English and Turkish medals. He returned to England in July, 1856, and at the end of that year proceeded to India. There he was engaged in the siege and capture of Lucknow, which gained for him the Indian Mutiny medal. On leaving the Army, in 1875, he joined the Alexandra Dock staff at Newport, where he served for 25 years, retiring three years ago.

Plot FC C Grave No. 34 Block 84 (Circle).
Edmund James CALDICOTT.
Drowned at Symonds Yat, 14th July 1928, aged 23.
Buried 18th July 1928, St Woolos Cemetery.

The incident was reported in the local press:

Monday, 16th July 1928.
BATHER DISAPPEARS
NEWPORT MAN DROWNED AT SYMONDS YAT.
A bathing fatality occurred at Symonds Yat, near Ross, on Saturday afternoon, when a young man named Edmund J. Caldicott, aged 23 years, the only son of Detective-Inspector Caldicott, of the Newport Police, was drowned while bathing in the River Wye just below Whitchurch Church. Mr. Caldicott was on a visit to Symonds Yat with a party from Newport, and shortly after mid-day he went to bathe. He had only been in the water a short time when he disappeared. A number of boatmen who were close at hand were summoned to the scene, and Mr. Hattendorf, a boatman, Police-constable Moody, and other helpers recovered the body three-quarters of an hour later. Artificial respiration was carried out by Dr. Bargrave Wyborn, of Whitchurch, and others, but without avail. The body was removed to the Symonds Yat Hotel.

It was further the next day that, at the inquest, Dr. S. Bargrave Wyborn, who was sent for and with others tried artificial respiration, said death was due to drowning accelerated by shock to the heart through a meal, the playing of football in the sun and the great heat. All the party appeared to be sober.

A verdict was returned accordingly and the jury and Coroner expressed sympathy with the family.

Plot Con C Grave No. 326 Block 40.
Mrs. Ellen Brewer.
Born Pentewan 6th October 1835.
Died Newport, 17th May 1926 aged 91.
Buried 20th May 1926, St Woolos Cemetery.

Reported in the media, Wednesday, 19th May 1926:

MRS. ELLEN BREWER, NEWPORT.
LINK WITH FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE.

The death has taken place at the residence of her son-in-law, St. Enodoc, Glasllwch, Newport, of Mrs. Ellen Brewer, widow of the late Mr. Richard Brewer, of Padstow, Cornwall. Mrs. Brewer was the daughter of a Mr. Joseph Jory, who was the coxswain of the ship’s boat which took Florence Nightingale ashore when she first landed in the Crimea. Me. Jory afterwards became a coal merchant at St. Austell and became connected with Newport when he shipped coal at the old Rock Wharf. Mrs. Brewer, who attained the age of 91 years, was the last member of a family with a remarkable record for longevity. She was one of eight daughters, the ages of seven of whom ranged from 83 to 91 years. Mrs. Brewer came to Newport with her husband 30 years ago. She leaves a son and daughter. Capt. Richard Brewer, of Newport, who is now in the Far East, and Mrs. Harry Barter, whose husband is the son of Mr. James Barter, the veteran Newport magistrate.

The funeral was reported on Friday, 21st May 1926:

LATE MRS. ELLEN BREWER, NEWPORT.

The funeral took place at Newport on Thursday of Mrs. Ellen Brewer, widow of the late Mr. Richard Brewer, Padstow, Cornwall, who died at St. Enodoc, Glasllwch, Newport, at the age of 91 years. The Rev. Evan Rowland officiated. The chief mourners were Mr. H. G. Barter (son-in-law) and Mr. H. V. Barter (grandson), and among those present at the graveside were Mr. T. H. Howell, jnr., Mr. George Jordan, Mr. H. Jones, and Mr. T. Laughton.

Plot Con D Grave No. 177 Block 21 (unmarked).
John PORTER.
Died 10th April 1926 aged 72.
Buried 15th April 1926, St Woolos Cemetery.

John’s death was reported in the local press on Tuesday, 13th April 1926:

THE WRONG MEDICINE
NEWPORT PATIENT’S TRAGIC DEATH.

Mr. John Porter, of Morden-road, Newport, has died in circumstances which in all probability will be inquired into by the coroner. He had been ill with influenza and was under medical treatment. When he was recovering he took a bottle to a chemist for medicine prescribed as a tonic, but after a few doses he became ill again. It was then found that he had taken liniment, and an effort was made at the hospital to eliminate the offending mixture. The patient, however, was in a weak state and succumbed.

It was further reported on Tuesday, 20th April 1926:

CHEMIST’S DOUBLE MISTAKE.
WRONG MEDICINE AND WRONG LABEL.

A chemist’s double mistake was commented on by the coroner at an inquest held at Newport (Mon.) yesterday on John Porter, aged 72, a journeyman carpenter, who died in hospital after taking medicine out of a bottle which was later found to contain liniment.

Mrs. Porter stated that she took a doctor’s prescription for a tonic to the shop of Mr. Evans, chemist, and he gave her something in a blue bottle labelled “A teaspoonful to be taken every 24 hours.” After taking three doses her husband’s limbs seemed to be stiffened, and she called in the doctor again.

Replying to counsel, Mrs. Porter said she knew the words embossed on the bottle were “Not to be taken.”

Dr. Arthur said the prescription he gave was for a mixture, not a liniment.
Counsel: The only difference between the prescription would be the word “Mist” instead of “Lin” – Yes.

The unfortunate thing, added the doctor, was that, having made up a liniment in mistake, the chemist put the mixture label on the bottle.

Dr. Arthur and Dr. Burgh Marsh (who made a post-mortem) agreed that the mistake did not cause death. Which was due to natural causes, and the coroner returned a verdict accordingly.

John Porter is buried with his first wife Mary, who had died in 1894.

Plot RC D Grave No. 121 Block 26.
John POWELL (aged 12 years).
Died 10th September 1925.
Buried 17th September 1925, St Woolos Cemetery.

John’s death was reported in the local press on Friday, 11th September 1925:

NEWPORT SCHOOLBOY WHO FELL FROM LORRY.

John Powell, the twelve-year-old son of a Newport coaltrimmer, living at 19, Alexandra-road, Newport, was killed whilst on his way to school on Thursday morning.

Powell, with about six other boys, was riding on a motor lorry owned by Messrs. Keefe Bros. and driven by Thomas Lund of Commercial-road.

Powell, it is stated, attempted to get off the lorry at Cardiff-road, but he slipped and fell, sustaining fatal injuries.

An extraordinary feature of the tragedy is that the body of the unfortunate boy bore no trace of injury.

John’s parents, John and Alice (née Lovett), who by the time of their deaths were living in Langstone, were later buried in the same plot.

Plot Con C Grave No. 253 Block 19.
Harry Edward FORSTER, Clerk.
Died 2/3 October 1924.
Buried 8 October 1924, St Woolos Cemetery.

Harry Edward Forster (25), Stow Hill, a clerk employed by the Ministry of Pensions, Savoy-buildings, Newport, was found dead by his wife on Friday morning.

It was reported on Tuesday, 7th October 1924:

Dr. W. E. Wade said at the inquest on Monday that a post-mortem examination had revealed a blood clot in the left plural cavity weighing 3lb. 10oz., no doubt brought about during service in the Army. The condition was unknown in anyone under the age of 45 years. The cause of death was a rupture of an aneurism of the aorta.

A verdict accordingly was recorded.

Harry was a Company Sgt.-Major in the King’s Regiment (Liverpool) in WW1. He later married Kathleen Margrett Lee at St John’s Church, Maindee on the 10th December 1921.

He is buried with his mother (Marion Alice Forster, 1872-1948) and some of his siblings.

Plot Con D 9 Grave No. 145 (unmarked).
John EVANS.
Drowned 8 May 1923 aged 71.
Buried 14 May 1923 St Woolos Cemetery.

John’s death was reported in the local press on the 9th May 1923:

DROWNED IN CANAL.
AGED AND INFIRM NEWPORT MAN’S FATE.
John Evans (71), of 104, Hewertson-street, Newport, was drowned in the Monmouthshire Canal at Alteryn, Newport, on Tuesday. He had been suffering from rheumatism and faintness, and it is thought he fell into the water whilst near one of the locks. A cut on the head indicates that he struck something in falling.

It was further reported on the 11th May 1923:

CALLOUS CONDUCT.
OLD-AGE PENSIONER’S FATE AT NEWPORT.
“The conduct of these young men who quietly sat by and did nothing was rather strange and callous,” was the comment of Mr. E. Charles Jones, the deputy-coroner, at Newport on Thursday at an inquest respecting the death of John Evans (71), a labourer and old-age pensioner, of 104, Hewertson Street, whose body was found in the canal on Tuesday at Alteryn.

John Lee, a masseur, of Windsor-terrace, said he was walking along the canal bank when some young men sitting on a lock-gate called his attention to the body in the water. They had sent for the police, but made no effort to get the body out. Witness did so, and tried artificial respiration without success.

Herbert Frank Grant, a labourer, of Ailesbury-street, said he saw four young men standing by, who made no effort to get the body out of the water.

A daughter of Evans said her father suffered from acute rheumatism in the left leg, which sometimes gave way under him. He had not been able to work for three years as a result, but was not depressed. He had never threatened su***de.

The Deputy-coroner recorded a verdict of “Found drowned.”

John Evans is buried with his wife (who had died in 1918) and one other.

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant hapus i bawb.
Happy St Savid’s Day to everyone.

Plot FC D Grave No. 113 Block 45 (unmarked, as are the vast majority of plots in this block).
Job BRYANT, Veteran of Waterloo.
Born Eastington, Gloucestershire, 1793.
Died Christmas Day, Newport, 1875 aged 83.
Buried 30th December 1875, St Woolos Cemetery.

Job’s death was reported in the local press on the 31st December 1875.
“DEATH OF A WATERLOO VETERAN.
On Christmas-day Mr. Job Bryant died at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Warner, St Edward-street, 83 years of age. Deceased was for 21 years in the British army, and during that time he served in the Peninsula, Belgium, Flanders, and Jamaica, being eight years in the West Indies. He was with Wellington through the Peninsular war, and fought at most of the principal battles, including the storming of Badojoz, Salamanca, Toulouse, and Nivelle. He was again with Wellington at Quatre Bras and Waterloo, emerging from these fearful conflicts unwounded, and forming a unit in the Allied Armies of Occupation at Paris. Up till eighty years of age the veteran enjoyed excellent health, but during the last three years he has been infirm. He frequently spoke of the battles in which he had been engaged, and in fact his recollection of the stirring events of his younger days was much clearer than that of more recent events. He was buried on Thursday at the New Cemetery, his funeral being of a semi-military character. The coffin, wrapped in the National colours, was conveyed to the grave on a gun carriage, with an es**rt of Royal Artillery, and the company of the 95th Regt., stationed at Newport Barracks, brought up the rear of the funeral procession. The service was impressively performed by the Rev. J. Westlake, Wesleyan Minister. An interesting feature in the funeral was the presence of another Waterloo veteran, now the only survivor of the battle in Newport, named Morgan, who is nearly 83 years of age. The surviving veteran acted by proxy as one of the bearers of his deceased comrade-in-arms.”

Job is buried with one of his grandchildren who died as an infant in 1871 in Newport, the son of Alfred Warner and his wife (Job’s daughter) Ann who was born in 1835 in Gloucestershire. In 1871 they were all living at 23 St Edward Street, but Alfred and his family subsequently moved away from Newport. Job’s wife Elizabeth, whom he married in Gloucestershire in 1830, had died in 1842 in Gloucestershire.