Trow memorial obelisk 
at London Road, Stoke
 

Location: obelisk, On edge of pavement of London Road opposite James Street, Stoke
Unveiling: October 1894
Stonemason: R & W Burt
Commissioned by: Erected by public subscription
 

 

Inscription: On third stage, inscribed, gilded: ERECTED/ BY PUBLIC SUBSCRIPTION/ IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF/ TIMOTHY TROW,/ TRAM CONDUCTOR, AGED 21 YEARS./ WHO LOST HIS LIFE BY DROWNING/ NEAR THIS SPOT,/ IN A HEROIC ATTEMPT TO SAVE/ THAT OF A CHILD. APRIL 13TH 1894   Signature: On second stage at the front of obelisk, incised: R & W. BURT/ STOKE Description: A simple white granite obelisk with inscription standing on a grass verge beside the road. Publicly subscribed, sited in October 1894 Background: Timothy Trow, in April 1894 a tram conductor who despite being unable to swim, saved the life of a drowning child, losing his own life. At that time the Newcastle-under-Lyme canal ran along London Road. on the canal

 

"Imagine the scene in 1894. In those days London Road was a cobbled highway, resounding to the screech of steam-trams as they slowed to a halt near this spot. Between pavement and water's edge were iron railings and a row of tall trees. As a tram drew close at 4 o'clock, one April afternoon, its young conductor heard screams coming from the canal. He looked up and, seeing a little girl, terrified and flailing desperately to stay afloat, wasted no time in vaulting the railings and plunging into the chill water to her rescue. By fate's intervention, he was tragically seized by a violent cramp and sank like a stone to the bottom. The child was later pulled out alive."

 

The footbridge over the Newcastle Canal was near to Nursery Street
This view looks towards Stoke - near to the place where Timothy Trow drowned

 

   

Materials:

Part of work	Material	Dimensions
Base	Brick, black	37cm high x 90cm wide x 90cm deep
First stage	Granite, white	32cm high x 72cm wide x 72cm deep
Second stage	Granite, white	29cm high x 61cm wide x 61cm deep
Third stage	Polished granite, white	49cm high x 48cm wide x 48cm deep
Upper stage	Granite, white	155cm high x 30cm wide x 30cm deep (w x d; at base)
		Overall 302cm high