Wigan Album

Work goes on to locate the resting places of the 75 men and boys killed at Moss Pits, Ince in the explosions of September 6th and 19th, 1871. Most were buried, the majority unidentifiable, in unmarked public graves near the Memorial in Ince Cemetery. A few went to family graves, including John Knowles, who was buried in the graveyard of St Thomas' Golborne on September 11th. His is the only grave found so far with a headstone. It records that he died on September 8th, 1871. It is therefore assumed that he was brought out alive in the initial rescue attempt, but died of his injuries. At 50 he was the second eldest victim.
He is buried with his wife Ann, who died in 1897. The grave, the larger one left of centre, stands next to another Knowles grave.
Thanks to Stan Jones for his research into this which led to the finding of the headstone.