Miners and Children
Mining was a dangerous occupation where accidents often resulted in multiple deaths. One of these disasters is remembered in the memorial to the "Nine Men of Madeley"
The nine victims were buried together in a communal grave. They died when the chain being used to raise them up the mine shaft slipped, causing them to fall to their deaths. There were many pit accidents causing injury and death. Often verses were written in memory of those who died. These tell the story of the accident, and the feelings of their family. They were usually sold for a few pence to raise money for the miner's widow or children.
Another grave records the death of Charles Turner who died trying to save his brother. The boys had been playing near the discharge pit of boiling water from a pit's winding engine; Charles fell in and died of his injuries.
His mother worked at the Maws tile factory and using broken pieces of ceramic tile, made this beautiful memorial to her son.