Quarries in or near Ruardean, Moorwood = Limestone (General)

by Jefff , West London, Middlesex, Sunday, February 07, 2016, 16:10 (3212 days ago) @ Carole Lewis

Hi Carole, glad to help a little re John Morgan's life.
do you have any questions specifically regarding his death, perhaps we can help further ? I cannot see an Inquest for him within this site's records, altho' this might have been mentioned in the old newspapers, have you searched them ?. That said, you know he had a lung condition, so you've probably already fully researched him. If possible and with respect to your privacy if you wish, it would be interesting to know how you knew of his condition, is this from family knowledge or have you seen it mentioned on Records, if so I wonder which ones, please ?.

From your posts it seems John lived into his 60s, which to be honest in those times would be considered a fairly long life, particularly if he's spent it in hard physical work such as quarrying, even without any exposure to dust. My dad died "young" after leading a very healthy lifestyle and not having physical jobs, sadly this didn't stop him falling victim to an unforeseen brain tumour. At the time, 1991, we thought this was too young, but visiting him at Cinderford cemetery has shown his death at 67 was almost typical of men of his generation he now lies with, many of which were miners, smokers, etc. So just maybe your John didn't have as short a life as you might think, I do hope that until then he had enjoyed good health.
But yes, of course quarry work especially blasting or cutting could mean regular exposure to excess mineral dust hence possible silicosis etc, like the miners; it's definitely no coincidence that this British site contains a photo of a quarryman and not other occupations.
http://www.agius.com/hew/resource/lung.htm

BTW, my dad's dad was a collier in Lydbrook, I'm told he spent the last years of his life at home downstairs, his bad lungs prevented him climbing the stairs, which is partly why my Gran was determined their only son wouldn't follow him down the pit. Yet he outlived my Dad, albeit only by one year, which on paper seem's better until you realise his quality of life was far worse in later years. Perhaps my Grandad'parents knew your Morgans, they lived in the Reddings and Moorwood too.

I hope the above is of interest and even help understanding John's life,
good luck with your continued researches, Jeff.