St. Andrew's Cemetery, grave of P.C. Bain

Police Constable Bain (1826-1867) was killed by an explosion of nitro-glycerine (used in mines for blasting) on the Town Moor. The nitro-glycerine had been stored in a cellar at the White Swan Inn Yard in the Cloth Market. For safety a magistrate ordered its removal. John Mawson, Sheriff and chemist by trade, recommended that the explosive was poured down a disused mine shaft on the Town Moor. Six canisters were emptied down the shaft. Three remained but the contents had crystallised and they exploded. Five of the party of seven, including PC Bain, died instantly. John Mawson, Sheriff, and Thomas Bryson, town surveyor, died two days later. They are buried in Jesmond Old Cemetery.