POEM – PLUMBLEY COLLIERY TRAGEDY by Wm MALLABAND

Lines on the death of Alfred Williamson who Lost his Life in a gallant attempt to save three children from drowning at Plumbley Colliery.  March 16th, 1895

DEATH has been busy in our midst,

And borne away a friend:

And filled our hearts with silent grief;

To think of his sad end.

He little thought, that fatal day,

As he to work did go;

That “death” would overtake him there,

And deal the final blow.

Some children from the village near,

Came to the wood to play,

And wandered near the Colliery,

To pass the time away.

They ventured on the Engine Pond,

Heedless of danger near;

When suddenly, the ice gave way:

The Children screamed with fear.

He heard their piteous cries or help

And ran, to their relief:

Then nobly went, into the pond,

In which, he came to grief.

For, sad to say, he lost his life,

The news like lightning spread;

The gallant man, and children three,

Were numbered with the dead.

 

But what a glorious death, to die,

No nobler, can be found;

He gave his life, to try and save,

The Children who were drowned.

Such love can never be surpassed.

We’ll praise it, without end;

For one man, to lay down his life,

To save that of his friend.

And now he’s gone, above the sky

To regions bright, and fair;

And when our work, on earth is done,

We hope to meet him there.

 

Wm Mallaband.

Thanks to Joan Williamson for allowing me to share and retype this poem.  Linda Taylor (nee Staton)