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If The Stones Could Talk- Tales from St Woolos Cemetery, St Woolos cemetery, South, Newport (2026)

24/05/2026

Block Con A 79 Plot 61/62.
Louis Henry HORNBY, Solicitor of Newport.
Died 23rd May 1929 aged 68.
Buried 28th May 1929, St Woolos Cemetery.

Louis’s death was reported in the local press on Friday, 24th May 1929.

NOTED LAWYER’S DEATH.

MR. L. HORNBY, OF NEWPORT.

COURT TRIBUTES TO A “GREAT GENTLEMAN.”

The death occurred at Newport on Thursday morning of Mr. Louis H. Hornby, D.L., registrar of Newport County Court and district registrar of the High Court. Mr. Hornby had been in bad health for a long time, but as recently as last Friday he conducted a case in the Newport Police-court. It was then obvious, however, that he was very ill, and it was his last time out.

Mr. Hornby, who was 68 years of age, was a son of the late Mr. Henry Hugh Hornby, of Grassendale, Liverpool, and was related to the famous Lancashire cricketer. He was educated at Malvern Wells and Wi******er College, and was articled to Messrs. Bateson and Co., solicitors, Liverpool, and admitted a solicitor in July, 1884. In January, 1887, he came to Newport and joined the late Mr. Fred Vaughan in partnership as Vaughan and Hornby, solicitors and notaries, which partnership continued until 1901. In that year Mr. Hornby was appointed registrar of the Newport County Court and district registrar of the High Court. He joined Mr. T. Baker Jones in partnership in 1902.

A KEEN ATHLETE.

Mr. Hornby was a keen athlete and a good cricketer. He was in the second eleven at Wi******er, had been a member of the famous Incogniti since 1884, was a member of the Gloucestershire and Surrey County Cricket Clubs, and captained the Newport Eleven, playing also for Monmouthshire many times. He had been a member of the general committee of the Newport Athletic Club for 40 years. He was keen on bowls as well, and was also at one time a member of the Royal Windermere Yacht Club. In later years he was a golfer and belonged to the Newport and Royal Porthcawl clubs.

Mr. Hornby was a trustee of the County Club, Newport, vice-chairman of the Tredegar Constitutional Club. As a staunch Conservative Mr. Hornby was years ago a strong platform asset to the party in Newport, for he was a ready and pungent speaker. In 901 he acted as election agent for the late Sir Joseph Lawrence.

Mr. Hornby sat years ago on Newport Town Council. Defeated in the old East Ward by seven votes he secured election for the Central Ward, but three years later was defeated by the present Lord Treowen. He never sought municipal honours again, but at the time of his death he was chairman of Newport Assessment Committee. He was also a director of the Royal Gwent Hospital.

MASONIC LEADER.

Mr. Hornby was a very prominent Freemason. He was W.M. of the Isca Lodge in 1901, and subsequently held many high offices, both in the Provincial Grand Lodge and in the Grand Lodge of England. At the time of his death he was Deputy Provincial Grand Master of Monmouthshire. He was also the first president of the Newport Rotary Club. Suring the was he was chairman of Newport Military Tribunal, and was a prominent member of the Newport Volunteer Training Corps. It was at that time he was made a Deputy-lieutenant for Monmouthshire.

He married in 1887 Miss Caroline Moulton Fisher Cranston, and had two children, Major Henry Sylvester Hornby, M.C. and Order of the Nile, and Norah Margaret, married to Mr. A. J. Daly, who is now engaged in rubber plantation in the Malay States.

COURT TRIBUTES.

At the under-sheriff’s court on Thursday afternoon, prior to the commencement of business, the Under-sheriff (Mr. Edward Cookman) asked the member of the regal possession to join in a tribute to the memory of Mr. Hornby.

Mr. A. W. Cockburn, on behalf of the Bar, said it would be impossible to stand that day in that place where Mr. Hornby sat for sp many years and not say how sadly he would be missed. They would always remember him not only as a highly accomplished lawyer, but as a very great natural gentleman, too.

Mr. W. Pitt Lewis, speaking for the solicitors, said that they had lost one of the staunchest friends they ever had. His courtesy and help to younger members of the profession were unfailing, and his name would go down as that of one of the greatest men that had filled the office of registrar in Newport.

HIS PARTY’S SORROW.

Mr. Reginald G. Clarry at his meeting in the Temperance-hall on Thursday night paid tribute to the memory of Mr. Hornby. “I think it only appropriate,” he said, “that in a great meeting addressed by Conservatives at Newport to-night some reference should be made to the passing of that great Conservative and gentleman, Mr. Louis Hornby, and to the loss that has been sustained by the death of one who was beloved and respected by all sections of the community.

His son, Henry Sylvester Hornby died in 1936 and is buried in the plot, as is his wife, Caroline Moulton Fisher Hornby who also died in that year.

24/05/2026

Block Con C 15 Plot 13.
Lilian ROBERTS, aged 13.
Died as a result of burns received on Saturday, 5th December 1925.
Buried 10th December 1925, St Woolos Cemetery.

The circumstances around the death of Lilian Roberts were reported in the local press on Wednesday, 9th December 1925.

“GIRL DANCER’S DEATH.

NEWPORT JURY ON NEED OF FIREGUARD.

The story of the terrible tragedy which occurred in the Temperance-hall, Newport, on Saturday evening, when a little girl, Lilian Roberts, of 37, Williams-street, was fatally burned, was told to the Newport coroner (Mr. W. Lyndon Moore, J.P., D.L.) on Tuesday.

Mr. Meyrick Williams represented the organiser of the entertainment, and Mr. Ronald Williams the trustees of the Temperance-hall.

The Coroner, in opening the proceedings, said that he had called the jury together because it might be that they would make recommendations which would render less likely a recurrence of such a tragedy as this.

George Charles Roberts, the father of the dead girl, broke down as he related how he saw his daughter in the hospital on Saturday night and she exclaimed, “Daddy, daddy, am I going to get well?”

Sophie Pullen, a juvenile Rechabite, said Lilian was powdering her nose before the fire when her dress blazed up. An “old gentleman,” stated witness, might have put the flames out, but Lilian would not stand still. She rushed about the room shrieking.

There was no guard in front of the fire.

In reply to the coroner, witness stated that when the smallest children were in the room there were people looking after them.

Henry Morgan Howell, captain of a Boys’ Brigade company, described how he put out the flames and got severely burned in so doing.

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental death,” and added a recommendation that fire-guards should always be provided over open fires in places where children performed.

They also expressed their appreciation of the action of the witness Howell.”

Lilian is buried with two of her siblings, Thomas John Roberts and Alice Maud Roberts, who also died young. Lilian’s parents, George Charles Roberts and Lavinia (née Hurd), who married in Newport in 1895 and had a number of other children, are buried in block Con D 34Ext in the cemetery.

22/05/2026

Block Con C 19 Plot 169.
John Henry PEAKE, rigger.
Died from the effects of a fall at the Western Dry Dock.
Buried 18th November 1921, St Woolos Cemetery.

The inquest into the death of John was reported in the local press on Wednesday, 23rd November 1921.

“NEWPORT RIGGER’S DEATH.

Mr W. Lyndon Moore, D.L., the borough coroner, conducted an inquest at Newport on Tuesday concerning the death of John H. Peake (52), of 186, Commercial-road, a rigger, who had been employed by Messrs. Mordey, Carney, and Co. (Limited). The evidence showed that on October 31 deceased slipped and fell whilst removing the hatchway covers of a steamer in the Western Dry Dock. He repeatedly complained of pains in his chest after the accident.

Dr. Victor A. Crinks, who made a post-mortem examination, said the cause of death was, firstly, pneumonia, and, secondly, heart failure.

The Coroner : Would the injuries to the chest contribute to the pneumonia ?

Dr. Crinks : I think the injuries to the chest were indirectly the cause of pneumonia.

The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Mr. Noel Davies (Messrs. Vaughan and Roche, Cardiff) was for the employers ; Mr. Gordon Edwards, Newport, for the widow : and Capt. T. Owen Edwards, his Majesty’s factory inspector, for the Home Office.

Mr. John O’Leary, local secretary of the National Labourers’ Union, watched the case on behalf of his organisation.”

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John Henry Peake and his wife Dora (née Hare) and family had recently moved to Newport from Devon. They had married in 1885 in Bideford, Devon. Other members of the family are also buried in the cemetery.

20/05/2026

Block Con D 25 Plot 11.
Henry YEATES, stoker.
Died 30th November 1908 aged 41.
Buried 3rd December 1908, St Woolos Cemetery.

The inquest into Henry’s death was reported in the local press on Friday, 4th December 1908.

NEWPORT STOKER’S DEATH.

At Thursday’s inquest on Henry Yeates (41), stoker at Messrs Phillips and Sons’ Brewery, Newport, who died at Eveswell-street on Monday, the evidence of Frank Gulliver showed that deceased complained of having met with an accident at the brewery a month ago by falling down as he was wheeling a barrowful of coal. No one appeared to have witnessed the accident, and deceased continued to work for a week afterwards, but frequently complained of pains in his leg. Dr, Rees Morgan said he attended deceased for a swelling in the leg from the groin to the toes. At the post mortem he found a clot of blood in the pulmonary artery. Death was, he thought, die to an embolism of the pulmonary artery. This would be consistent with the accident described. A verdict in accordance with medical evidence was returned.

Henry married Elizabeth Watkins in 1890 in Newport. Elizabeth died in 1905 at their residence in Livingstone Place and was buried on the 9th January 1905. Henry was buried in the same plot on the 3rd December 1908. Also buried in the plot is one of their sons, Ivor Yeates, who died in 1920 at 19 Sutton Road, Newport.

19/05/2026

Block RC D 21, Plot 112.
Bridget AHERN (née Ryan), aged 32.
(Surname variously appears as Ahern, Hurn, Hearn).
10 Emlyn Street, Newport.
Died 7th July 1900.

The account of Bridget’s death appeared in the local press on Saturday, 14th July 1900.

NEWPORT WOMAN’S DEATH.

Mr Lyndon Moore held an inquest at the Newport Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon on the body of Bridget Hurn, of Emlyn-street, wife of a Militiaman {William Hearn}, who died on Saturday last from inflammation of the brain, which was alleged to have been set up as a result of injuries sustained in a fight with another woman on the 21st ult. John Ryan {the father} stated that on the 21st ult. the deceased returned home under the influence of drink. Shortly afterwards Annie Sanders {name later shown as Landers} entered the room, and was ordered out by the deceased, who used a violent threat, and took up a vase. Witness tried to take the vase from her, and Sanders then struck deceased in the face several times. Deceased fell to the floor, and was again struck. In the evening deceased complained of pains in the head, and subsequently she was seized with fits. Dr. Hurley, who had attended the deceased, and who had made a post-mortem examination, stated that the membranes of the brain were highly congested and inflamed. Death was due to the inflammation of the brain, and considering the healthy state of the other organs of the deceased he was of the opinion that the inflammation was set up by injury of some sort. The inquest was then adjourned until Friday.

The young woman Sanders was in court during the inquiry, and when deceased’s father was giving evidence she interrupted him, and stated that the deceased threw the vase at her. She was removed in custody, and was charged with causing the death of Bridget Hurn.

At the Newport Police Court on Wednesday (before Alderman F. Phillips and Messrs C. D. Phillips, F. Phillips, and G. E. Geen, magistrates). Annie Landers, 17 years of age, 1, New Ruperra-street, Newport, was charged with causing the death of Bridget Hurn by violently assaulting and beating her at 10, Emlyn-street on Thursday 21st ult. It appeared that prisoner was arrested on the evening upon which the assault took place, and was subsequently fined 10s for the assault by the Newport magistrates. The woman Hurn, however, died on Saturday last, and the medical evidence given at the inquest (which was afterwards adjourned) was to the effect that the deceased had died from inflammation of the brain, and that in the opinion of the medical man the inflammation was set up as the result of injury to the brain.

P.C. Reynolds, who arrested prisoner after the Coroner’s inquiry, said that prisoner, in answer to the charge, replied, “I did strike her, but not hard enough to kill her.”

Eliza Jane James, 10, Emlyn-street, said she saw the quarrel which it is alleged set up the injuries which caused death. Prisoner pulled Hurn’s hair and struck her in the face. In reply to the magistrates the witness became more explicit, and said that the deceased woman took a glass vase from off the mantelpiece, and using a foul epithet towards prisoner said, “If you do not leave my house I will cut you open.” Prisoner then flew at deceased, and there was a struggle.

Dr. Hurley said he attended deceased from the 2nd July to the 7th, when she died. The result of a post-mortem examination was that death was due to meningitis, which might be due either to injury or tubercular disease, it was impossible to say which. It must have been a severe blow or fall to cause concussion of the brain.

The Bench remanded the prisoner, who was in tears, until Monday, and denied that she struck the deceased, but certified for bail, herself in a personal recognisance of £100 and two sureties of £50 each.

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Annie Landers was subsequently charged with manslaughter.

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Her trial was reported in the press on Friday, 23rd November 1900.

NEWPORT WOMAN CHARGED WITH MANSLAUGHTER.

Annie Landers, charwoman, of Emlyn-street, Newport, was brought up on a charge of feloniously killing and slaying one Bridget Hearn, 10, Emlyn-street, Newport, on July 7th.

Mr. Micklethwaite presented.

It appeared from the evidence of John Ryan, father of deceased ; Eliza Jane James, with whom the deceased had been lodging ; Catherine Ryan, Mary Ryan, and Thomas Hotchkiss, that in the course of a quarrel between prisoner and deceased, both of whom were the worse for liquor at the time, prisoner knocked Bridget Hearn to the ground, pulled her about the floor by the hair of the head, and beat her unmercifully in the face. Hearn shortly afterwards became unconscious, and, after remaining in that condition for over two days, expired.

P.C. Reynolds gave evidence as to the apprehension of prisoner.

Dr Hurling deposed to making a post mortem examination of deceased, and ascertaining that death had ensued in consequence of meningitis of the brain. In his opinion this had been set up in consequence of the treatment received at the hands of prisoner on the occasion in question.

Dr Sullivan, late house surgeon at the Newport Hospital, corroborated the evidence of previous witness.

Defendant, who pleaded not guilty, said she struck deceased in self-defence. Had Hearn not struck her first she would not have struck deceased.

The jury found the prisoner guilty, but recommended her to mercy in view of the provocation given, and on account of the weak state of health in which deceased was at the time of the assault.

Sent to prison for three calendar months with hard labour.

Prisoner greeted the sentence with a smile on turning out of the box in company with female warder.

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Bridget Ahern (Hearn) is buried with an infant son, who died shortly after Bridget herself was buried, aged 8 months.

Bridget is shown as living at 9 Fothergill Street in 1881 with her parents, John and Mary Ryan, and a number of siblings. Her parents originally came from Ireland.

Bridget had married the Militiaman mentioned (William Hearn) in 1890. He died in 1919 and is buried in one of the other RC blocks in the cemetery.

18/05/2026

Block Con D 2, Plot 14.
William Frederick DAVI(E)S, aged 4.
Drowned in Shaftesbury Park, Newport.
Buried 22nd March 1907, St Woolos Cemetery.

The inquest on William’s death was reported in the local press on Saturday, 23rd March 1907.

NEWPORT BOY DROWNED.
THE INQUEST.

Mr. Lyndon Moore, the Borough Coroner, held an inquest on Wednesday, at the Town Hall, touching the death of William Frederick Davis, son of Mr. J. W. Davis, butcher, Wheeler-street, who was drowned in the pill in Shaftesbury Park. A boy named Alfred J. Kendall said that he saw the deceased trying to get on the swings in the park on Monday afternoon, but did not see him afterwards. Hilda May Phillips, living in Malpas-road, deposed that she went to the park on Monday afternoon, after school. She saw the deceased there and told him to go home. John Henry Wilkinson, a boy, stated that he saw deceased near the lake in the park on Monday afternoon. Two other children sent him home. Children sometimes played near the pill where the body was discovered. William Bryant, labourer, said that he saw the body in the pill on Tuesday, and gave information to the park-keeper. Charles Jenkins, park-keeper, proved the finding of the body. There were no marks of violence. He did not think the deceased got in the water where he was found. The child might have got in at some other point, and been taken up the pill. Witness walked around the park after closing the gates, and the child was not there where he was afterwards found. The Coroner: How did he get in the river? Witness: That’s a mystery. The Coroner: Have you known children to get in the water? Witness: I have pulled them out. Replying to the child’s father, witness said that he did not say he sent his dog round the park. The father: You told my wife that you sent the dog round. Witness explained that the dog went round sometimes because people were apt to stay about asleep at closing time. The father said that the boy was afraid of dogs, and if he saw the dog he would cry out. The father of the deceased stated that he saw him on Monday evening, and as he did not come home they were searching for him all night. Superintendent Brooks expressed the opinion that the lad was playing, and that a strong gust of wind blew him into the water. It was a very rough night. The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the boy was found in the pill, but as to how he got there was not sufficient evidence to show. The recommended that the pill should be fenced if possible. Sympathy was also expressed with the parents of the boy.

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William’s parents are buried in the same plot. John William Davis died in 1917 aged 41 and Martha Jane (née Edmonds) died in 1962 aged 85. John and Martha had married at St Woolos Church on the 8th May 1899. Both John William Davis and his father (also John) were butchers.

17/05/2026

Block Con D 57 Section 1: Plot x/87.
Joshua Daniel EVANS.
Found drowned in a pill near Lysaghts Works.
Age 52.
Buried 02-02-1899, St Woolos Cemetery.

Joshua’s death was reported in the local press on Monday, 30th January 1899.

FOUND DROWNED AT NEWPORT
A CLERK’S SAD END
Mysterious case of drowning was reported to the Newport police on Sunday, the body of a man having been discovered in a pill near Messrs. Lysaght’s new works on Corporation Road. Two men – Stephen Short, 27, Dean Street, and Thomas Harris, Somerton Lane, Newport – were passing over a small bridge when they noticed a walking-stick in the water. On pulling out the stick they found a human hand embedded in the mud, and when the tide had receded, a body was recovered and conveyed to the mortuary. It was afterwards identified as that of Joshua Daniel Evans, 51, a clerk in the employ of Newport Milling Company, who had for some time lived at 37, Annesley Road, Maindee. Inquiries made by an Argus representative at the Newport Milling Company’s offices elicited the fact that deceased had been unwell for the past few days. On Tuesday he appeared to be ill, and nearly fainted in the office, but on the following day had no recollection of the incident. Evans, however, continued at his work until the office was closed at two o’clock on Saturday afternoon. When he left he appeared about as usual. So far as can be gleaned, he had never threatened to commit su***de, and the police are not in possession of any information which could warrant them in coming to the conclusion that it was anything but a case of accidental drowning. There is, moreover, no suggestion of foul play. He had been employed as clerk at the mills since the formation of the company, and for some years previously was in the service of Messrs. Parnall and Evans, the former proprietors. He was a widower, but had one son. The firm describe him as a reliable and industrious man. Prior to his connection with this business, Evans was employed at the goods station of the Great Western Railway.

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Joshua was born in Llantrisant, Glamorgan, on the 13th May 1844, the son of Rev. Joshua Evans and his wife Ann. He married Emily Ann Woodcock in Newport in 1880, and they had one son born in April, 1881. Emily died soon after and was buried on the 4th May 1881. Joshua was buried in the same plot on the 2nd February 1899. He was employed by the Great Western Railway as a clerk at Dock Street Goods department from 1 August 1880 until 29 January 1882, before moving to the Newport Milling Company.

14/05/2026

Block FC C 78, Plot 398.
William BANKS.
Herbalist of Newport. Known as “Professor Banks”.
Died 17th January 1908.
Buried St Woolos Cemetery, 22nd January 1908.

William’s death was reported in the press on Saturday 18th January 1908.
MR WILLIAM BANKS, NEWPORT.
The death took place yesterday at Newport of Mr William Banks, locally known as “Professor Banks”, a herbalist. Deceased was a native of Market Drayton, and made his home at Newport in 1881. In November, 1895, he was selected by the Newport Liberal Association as the second candidate for the old East Ward, and without canvassing for a single vote he was returned. He erected the Forum at Maindee, where the discussions of the local debating society considerably influenced the political life of Newport. He was 78 years of age and highly respected.

A fuller account appeared in the press on Saturday 25th January 1908.
SUDDEN DEATH AT NEWPORT.
MR. W. BANKS PASSES AWAY.
We very much regret to announce the death of Mr. William Banks, which occurred suddenly at his residence, 80 Church-road, Barnardtown, Newport, on Friday morning. Mr. Banks was getting up about 8.30am, and while dressing, he was seized with sudden illness, and died about nine o’clock, before medical assistance could be rendered to him. The deceased, who was 78 years of age, was well-known in Newport, and had endeared himself to many. He had long kept a herbalist’s shop in Church-road, and was spoken of familiarly as “Professor Banks.” In early life, we believe, he was identified with the Chartist causes, and remained throughout life an ardent and advanced Liberal, thoroughly consistent and absolutely loyal to Progressive principles. Some years ago he was elected to the Newport Town Council, and did excellent work there, his sturdy independence and absolute devotion to duty earning for him the respect and goodwill of many who were strongly opposed to him in politics. Mr. Banks did a great deal of good work, and many an act of benevolence and kindness to his poorer neighbours will be long remembered. In religion he was a Unitarian, and a member of the Newport Church. He leaves a widow and family grown up sons and daughters.

The deceased came to Newport in 1882, from Gloucester, where he had previously been in business. He was well-known in the Stroud district, where he previously resided, and he took a prominent part in the election petitions there nearly 40 years ago. Following the petitions, Sir Samuel Merling was returned as a Liberal by 206 votes. Mr. Banks’ reminiscences of stirring political days were exceedingly interesting to listen to. For a man of his age, he could remember names and places with remarkable accuracy. He took a deep interest in both ward Liberal Associations, and was ever ready to aid these organisations by pen, voice, and pocket. He was of a genial disposition. With the exception of the three years he spent in the Town Council, Mr. Banks did not take any part in public affairs outside the sphere of politics. He had travelled practically all over the country. Just before he died he was making plans for the coming summer. The end came with tragic suddenness. Dr. Lloyd Davies was immediately called, but he could only pronounce life extinct. The deceased, who would have attained his 78th birthday next Tuesday, leaves a widow, two sons – Mssrs. J. and W.M. Banks – and three daughters – Mrs. Hughes, Machen; Mrs Johnson, Pill; and Miss Banks, the latter being a nurse, who had been staying home for a month.

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William is buried with his wife, Harriett Ann (née Ellis), who he had married in Worcester in 1851, and one of his daughters, Clarinda Mary, who lived at Machen and died in 1942.

13/05/2026

Block Con D 14, Plot 123.
Alfred Collins, aged 6y, drowned 10th August 1904 in the Alexandra Dock, Newport.

The inquest and verdict on the drowning of Alfred Collins was reported in the local press on Saturday, 13 August 1904.

“NEWPORT BOY DROWNED.
INQUEST AND VERDICT.

Inquest was held on Thursday at Newport Town Hall, before the Borough Coroner (Mr. Lyndon Moore), concerning the death of a boy named Alfred Collins, aged 7, son of Alfred Collins, a dock pilot, living in Marion Street, who was drowned in the Alexandra Dock timber float, on Wednesday afternoon.

The evidence of a boy named Christopher Davy, showed that the deceased and others were fishing in the float, standing on some timber, and that the deceased fell in the water. Davy made an effort to grip the lad, but the latter sank. The body was recovered half an hour afterwards.

Albert Walker, caretaker at Mendalgief Hospital, deposed that he procured a boat to get to the boy; and also telephoned for help. When the body was recovered the Alexandra Dock police tried artificial respiration for a long time, and Dr. Gratte, who arrived, also tried it, but without success.

An uncle of the boy remarked that a man was called to render assistance when the alarm was raised. But he did not come.

The Coroner stated that the man was not now present, and it would not be fair to make any comment in his absence. The matter, however, could be inquired into.

Supt. James said that the matter would receive attention.

In reply to a question the boy Davy said that the Dock police had driven the boys away from the timber float.

The Coroner remarked that he had no doubt the Dock police had done all they could in that respect.

The jury returned a verdict to the effect that the boy was accidentally drowned, and expressed sympathy with the parents in their bereavement.”

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Buried in the same plot is his sister Edith who died aged 22 months, his mother Rosa Eva (née Trigg, one of the many Trigg families who lived in West Gloucestershire near the border with Monmouthshire) who died in 1905 at the young age of 35, and his father, also Alfred, who died in 1943. Alfred snr., who was born in Little Dean in Gloucestershire, married Rosa Eva on the 28 October 1896 in Newnham, Gloucestershire. Alfred was living in Marion Street, Newport.

Alfred snr.’s second wife, Ada Jane Collins (late Brown, née Bryan), who he married in 1932 in Newport, is buried in another block in the cemetery.

Other members of the family are also buried in St Woolos Cemetery.

08/02/2026

Block FC DEF 28, undefined plot with headstone.
James DALLIMORE.
Drowned 21st August, 1860, aged 35.
Body recovered 29th August, 1860.
Buried 29th August, 1860, St Woolos Cemetery.

It was reported in the local press that James Dallimore, described as a labourer and as a seaman, who was originally born in Somerset in 1825, was accidentally drowned whilst engaged in pushing a vessel away from the Quay wall at the Moderator Wharf, and fell into the river. It was reported that the body was recovered on Tuesday, 28th August 1860, and an inquest was held on the following day, when a verdict of “Accidentally drowned” was returned by a jury.

Originally a class F parish grave in a communal area of the burial block, it was purchased later by the family and a headstone added. Also buried in the plot is his wife, Ann Dallimore. She died in the Asylum at Abergavenny, and was buried on the 15th February 1891 aged 61. They had married in Newport in 1847, when James was living in Llanarth Street.

A sad sequel to this tragedy is that one of his sons, Charles Dallimore, who was born in Newport in 1848 and was also a seaman, also drowned, at sea on the 15th March 1871 when he fell overboard from the ship “Albion” near Sully aged 23.

3 other children of James and Ann, another son and two daughters and their families are also buried in the Cemetery. All four children of James and Ann were baptised in St Woolos Church in November 1856, one on the 16th and three on the 23rd.

If The Stones Could Talk- Tales from St Woolos Cemetery

24/05/2026

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