Thanks Slowhands,
so in this instance we still can't say for sure from the PRs whether John was a coal or iron miner ?. Shame, should have guessed it couldnt be that easy ;-)

I haven't checked all the Census images just in case one tells us he is a Hewer , for example. so on 1881 as a Coal miner.

only one Merryman/Merriman in the Freeminer database ( that I can see)

{looks like John's son}
Freeminer 3040
Merriman William T
Aged 21 (inferred birth year 1882/3 0
Bilson Green, Cinderford
Registered 13 Jul 1904