Pendeen Cemetery. The war memorial is in the centre of the photo at the end of the path, but we shall take a look around the cemetery first. As I mentioned in the previous Pendeen post, some of the headstones we shall visit here are those of miners who lost their lives plying their trade deep beneath the Cornish earth.
Of course, mining was a reserved occupation during the Great War; the miners were required at home to supply the ever-expanding needs of war-time industry. Apart, that is, from those whose expertise was needed overseas, where, from 1915 onwards, underground warfare was taking a more and more prominent role beneath the shell craters of No-Man’s Land.
Which makes the fate of the 31 men, like James Vingoe Trembath, who died in the Levant mine disaster on 20th October 1919, and whose grave is pictured here, all the more poignant. Although I don’t know for sure, men who had survived the horrors of the war beneath the trenches probably died that dreadful day when the man engine collapsed down the shaft, taking its human cargo with it.
A lone South African, a long, long way from home. His date of death is two years after the war’s end, and I wonder why he was still in this country at that time. I can’t imagine there are very many later South African First World War burials over here.
And so to Pendeen war memorial:
hi my name is Tracy i am a Cornish Mining Researcher i am researching the Wheal Owls mining disaster of 1893 i am looking to find a local miner call James Hall also went by the name Farmer James Hall, he was a witness to the mining disaster. i am looking to find his grave stone and also any additional information regarding him. anything information received would be treated in confident and would not be passed on and full credit will be given. this is not for a collage project or university course work it a interest that i have, look forward to hearing from you
Tracy Williams
Tracy, I wish I could help but I’m just a visitor to Cornwall a couple of times a year, so I don’t think I’m much use to you. Let’s hope this page is read by someone who is.
If your relative was buried in Pendeen Churchyard, you should be able to find that on COPC website, Genuki or Pendeen Churchyard which will give you all burials from about 1837. Pam Urquhart, Toronto, Canada
Re:A lone South African, a long, long way from home. His date of death is two years after the war’s end, and I wonder why he was still in this country at that time. I can’t imagine there are very many later South African First World War burials over here.
Reply:His brother lived at St Just-James’ death was recorded in Penzance-he could still have been suffering from battlefield wounds.
PrivateROSCHOLAR, J J
Service Number 10944
Died 21/11/1920
Aged 34
8th Regt.
South African Infantry
Son of the late James and Clavissa Roscholar
I reckon that’s the answer, Geoffrey. Very sad. Thanks for commenting.
A couple of comments on the Great War war memorial:
1- I rather think that the Roll of Honour web site suggesting John H. Davy was lost on the Lusitania, may be in error. There was a J. H.Davey of the Somerset Light Infantry who died around the same time, but he was lost in the sinking of the Transylvania off the Italian coast.
Private DAVEY, J H Service Number 30126
Died 04/05/1917
3rd Bn. Somerset Light Infantry
2- Re Edward T Lowry
I think the surname should be Lawry-the memorial looks like Lowry.
I have just posted this message on your sister site
Today, I received a copy of the death certificate in respect of Great War soldier Private Edward Thomas Lawry-he was a Tunnellers Mate, aged 22.
He was discharged from the army on 1st February 1917 and the prognosis was that he would not survive long. Indeed he died later that moth, cause of death given as abscess on the lung but his medical discharge report is in no doubt that his condition was entirely due to military service. He Served in France 2 January 1916 to 12 July 1916 and suffered from Phthisis originating at La Bassel in June 1916 when he caught a chill while on duty, sent to hospital at Bethune, developed pneumonia, sent to England 6 months 10 days sick furlough, taken ill at home, admitted 22 October 1916 for pneumonia that changed to Phthisis.
He was the son of Edward Arnold Lawry and Ann, of Leswidden Cottage, St Just, Cornwall.
I am assured there is a more than reasonable chance that he will be accepted as a casualty of the war, but CWGC, who would then erect a wargrave pattern marker on his grave or somewhere in the churchyard/cemetery, need to know the burial location as part of the adjudication process.
Can you help me with his please?
Thanks once again for your comments Geoffrey. I have emailed you, so check your Spam if you haven’t received the mail.