Thomas Scaife and Joseph Rutherford were two unfortunate employees of the Birmingham and Gloucester Railway who tragically lost their lives when the boiler on a steam locomotive exploded at Bromsgrove on 10th November 1840. A craftsman was commissioned to produce the impressive grave stones. Unfortunately he drew a 4-2-0 locomotive built by "Norris" rather than the correct locomotive which was a 2-2-0 named "Surprise". Something that no doubt today would have resulted in a libel action. Scaife was killed instantly but Rutherford died the following day.
The two graves lie side by side to the south side of the church.
The locomotive that blew up was apparently a one-off locomotive built by a Dr William Church of Birmingham., the boiler being built by a Mr Horton of Brierley Hill. The engine which was named 'Surprise' was owned by a Mr S.A. Goddard and was at Bromsgrove for trials.
Reference : Railway Magazine letter from Mr H Pearce Higgins to the Editor - August 1935.
A close-up view of Thomas Scaife's grave. Note that when the grave was restored the first line of text that originally correctly read as "Birmingham and Gloucester Railway" has been changed to the non-existent "Birmingham and Worcester Railway".
The text of the poem reads:
My engine now is cold and still
No water does my boiler fill.
My coke affords its flame no more
My days of usefulness are o'er.
My wheels deny their noted speed
No more my guiding hands they heed.
My whistle too has lost its tone
Its shrill and thrilling sounds are gone.
My valves are now thrown open wide
My flanges all refuse to guide.
My clacks all through once so strong
Refuse to aide the busy throng.
No more I feel each urging breath
My steam is now condens'd in death.
Life's railway's oe'r each station's past
In death I'm stopp'd and rest at last.
Farewell dear friends and cease to weep
In Christ I'm safe in Him I sleep.
A close-up view of Joseph Rutherford's grave.
The poem reads:
Oh ! Reader stay, and cast an eye
Upon this Grave wherein I lie.
For cruel death has challenged me
And soon alas! will call on thee.
Repent in time, make no delay.
For Christ, will call you all away.
My time was spent like day (*) in sun
Beyond all cure my glass is run.
(*) Not "daw" as it rather meaninglessly now reads.