St John’s Church, Brymbo
“In loving memory of William the beloved husband of Ann Roberts of Tanyvron, Brymbo, who was accidentally killed at Plaspower Colliery, March 18 1903, aged 38 years.”
William Roberts was born in about 1865 in Wrexham. He was married to Ann and had seven children. The family lived at 13 Brook Terrace, Tanyfron.
On the 18th March 1903, William Roberts and Thomas Davies were “timbering-up” the roof of the main haulage road in the Tanyfron mine. Whilst they were working there a massive rock fall from the mine roof struck. This brought down rocks onto the haulage road along about 28’ of its length. Both William and Thomas Davies were killed as a result of this incident. William’s colleague, Thomas Davies was reported to be 36 years old and living at 10 Penrhos Cottages, Brymbo. William and Thomas had similar lives in that they both left a widow and seven children to mourn for them.
Subsequently, Mr W. Wynne Evans, the East Denbighshire Coroner, held a Coroner’s inquest into the deaths at the Rollers Arms, Southsea. The verdict of the inquest was “accidental death.”
William was buried at St John, Brymbo on the 20th March 1903.
Sources:
Written and researched by Wayne Cronin-Wojdat, B.A (Hons.), MSc – Historical Gems.
Full Gravestone Inscription: “In loving memory of William the beloved husband of Ann Roberts of Tanyvron, Brymbo, who was accidentally killed at Plaspower Colliery March 18 1903, aged 38 years. Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the son of man cometh.”
Brymbo Burial Records, 1903, p.47, Entry 371, William Roberts.
England & Wales National Probate Calendar, 1903, William Roberts.
North Wales Guardian, 26th March 1903.
1901 Wales Census, 13 Brook Terrace, Brymbo, Archive ref RG13, piece 5221, folio 27, page 9.
