Weaste Cemetery

Biographies of people buried between 1900 & 09

John Edward Lane (Killed at work) (1878 - 1904)


John Edward Lane was an Iron Dresser and was killed on a construction site in Liverpool when he was 26 years old.

 

He was born in Worsley in 1878. He married Florence A. Hughes in June 1904 at St Paul's Church Pendleton and lived at No.6 Peacock Street, Ellor Street, Pendleton. He was formerly a member of the choir at St Luke's church and was well known around the Pendleton area.

 

The Salford City Reporter of 12th November 1904 records the Inquest in Liverpool, into John's death. It was stated that John worked for Messrs Colley and Cuerton of Manchester who were erecting a bottling stores at Messrs Allsop's premises in Great Howard Street, Liverpool. Steel girders were used in the construction and these were filled in with brickwork. In carrying out the work it was necessary to hoist a girder and pull it into place before another one was hoisted. On Tuesday 25th October, a girder had not been bolted into position, when the hoisting rope of the next one being hoisted came into contact with it and dislodged it. The girder fell onto John, who suffered crushing injuries. He was taken to Northern Hospital where he died on 30th October from the effects of fractures of the spine, ribs, left thigh and both lower legs.

 

John's widow, Florence, stated that he had told her that the girder skidded as a result of it not being bolted. The Jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death. The Coroner intimated that although no person was criminally to blame, John's two colleagues, in not securing the girder, were guilty of gross negligence and he said that their conduct was bordering on manslaughter. He censured the two men.

 

The funeral took place on Thursday 3rd November, the body having been brought back from Liverpool by train the previous day by Messrs Coop, Undertakers. Many blinds were drawn in the vicinity of Peacock Street. The service was held at St Luke's Church, read by Rev C.P. Wilson. The cortege proceeded to Weaste Cemetery where many friends and neighbours had gathered. The coffin was of oak with brass mountings and the plate was inscribed "John Edward Lane, died October 30th 1904 aged 26 years". The principal mourners were Florence, her parents Mr and Mrs Owen Hughes, Miss Gertrude Lane and Mr William Lane. Much sympathy was shown for the family since John and Florence had only been married 4 months.