Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

1917-1919

Articles taken from North Devon Journal

Inquests

Coroner's Inquests were usually held within the space of 48 hours following a death that appeared to be of a suspicious or unexplained nature. They were usually held in a local public-house, ale house, municipal building, or parish workhouse, but sometimes in the building where the death occurred. The Coroner usually came from a legal or medical background and more often than not, appointed for life by the respective County. The Coroner and a Jury of between 12 and 24 persons, usually men of substantial standing, were empanelled to examine the body, hear witnesses, and the Jury then to come to a Verdict as to Cause of Death. The account of the Inquest appearing in local newspapers, included the name of the deceased, where they died, and how they died. Sometimes, age, occupation, parish or address, and other relatives' names can be found. In later years when Hospitals appear, people can be dying away from their parish after having been admitted to that institution, and the Inquest is therefore conducted where the death occurred, rather than where the person was living.

Provided by Lindsey Withers

[No's in brackets indicate the number of times that name occurs]

Names Included: Abbot; Ackland; Anstee; Aranjo; Avery; Ayre; Badcock; Balch; Beer; Benham; Bennett(2); Bibbings; Branton; Brock; Bucknell; Down; Chichester; Clark; Cock; Concalves; Cornish; Cottle; Cowe; Delbridge; Delve; Denys; Digby; Ditton; Down; Drake; Drew(2); Easton; Egan; Ellis; Evans; Follett; Frayne; Gage; Galsworthy; Gillard; Green; Greenslade; Hancock; Harding; Harris; Hawkins; Henderson; Heriz; Hill; Holman(2); Hulland; Hunter; Huxtable; Jeffery; Keen; Kivell; Lang; Lewis; Leworthy; Ley; Lock; Longman; Makin; Manning; Millward; Moore(3); Nott; Panes; Parker; Parnell; Parsons; Passmore; Paul; Peck; Phear; Pickett; Pike; Pook; Prouse; Reed; Rendle; Robins; Salter; Scougall; Shaddick; Sheppard; Slader; Smale; Smyth; Snell; Squires; Stanbury; Starkey; Stoneman(2); Symons(2); Taylor; Thorne; Toms; Trickey; Tucker(2); Vellacott; Verney(2); Whalley; Wheeler; Wijenberg; Williams; Willoughby; Wonnacott.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 4 January 1917
ILFRACOMBE - Suicide At Ilfracombe. - On Monday afternoon, an Inquest was held at the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital, by Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner, on MABEL VAVASOUR PECK, lately in the employ of Mrs G. Glyde, Broad Park Avenue, Ilfracombe. - Mr W. C. Hutchings was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - Mrs Glyde identified the deceased as being in her employ as companion-help for about 9 months past. She was 32 years of age. Witness last saw her alive at 9.30 p.m. on Saturday last, when she retired to bed. She seemed then in her usual state of health, but had had a bad headache during the day, for which reason she went to bed a little earlier. She was variable in her spirits, and small things were apt to upset her. Witness thought she was worrying about her only brother, who had just gone to the front, and deceased said she felt sure he would never come back. Since his leaving, the depression of spirits had been more marked. On Sunday morning, witness usually breakfasted in bed and waited a little later than the usual time, but as deceased did not come, she rang. Finding no response, witness went to the room, but did not find her there, while the pillow and bedclothes were gone. Witness went downstairs and found a heap of bedclothes on the floor in the scullery. She found the tap of the gas-stove on, so she turned it out and opened the door and the window. Going to the heap of clothes, witness found deceased wrapped in them with her head inside the oven. She drew her out, and first thought the body was a little warm. She screamed for help and tried to get a little brandy into her mouth. A neighbour came to help, but there was no hope of life. Deceased was a very nice girl usually, but occasionally depressed; she worried about the War, having lost some of her money in consequence, and had talked to witness about it. Witness heard no noise in the night, except that the wind was noisy. - By the Jury: It would seem as if the deceased knelt down and put her head into the oven with the clothes wrapped around head and shoulders. - Dr Langridge said he was called to see the deceased, who was lying on the scullery floor, wrapped in blankets. He examined the body, on which were no marks of violence, but the colour of the face and chest was that characteristic of gas poisoning. The parts of the body covered with the bed-clothes were still warm, and he judged that death had taken place about four hours previously. The cause of death was asphyxia, due to gas-poisoning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

BARNSTAPLE - Infant Child's Death At Barnstaple. - The Borough Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, opened an Inquest at the North Devon Infirmary on Friday evening concerning the death of THOMAS HENRY MOORE, infant son of MR and MRS W. MOORE, of Pengelly's Court, High-street, Barnstaple, who died at the age of nine days. The Coroner, outlining the facts of the case, said the child was enjoying good health up to and on Wednesday night, when it was fed at about eleven o'clock by the mother. On Thursday morning the child was again fed at seven o'clock and was apparently quite well. After that MRS MOORE thought she did not go to sleep - but she was afraid she must have done so. However, when she came to look at the child at about eight o'clock she found it was dead. Dr Thomas was summoned and could only pronounce life extinct, the symptoms appearing to him to be those of suffocation. He (the Coroner) ordered a post mortem examination, and from what the Doctor had told him he considered it necessary to have MRS MOORE as a witness. Not that he considered it was anything other than an accident, but her evidence was most material. As the mother was not yet well enough to attend, he suggested that the Inquest be adjourned and the evidence of the other witnesses taken then. - WM. MOORE, boat proprietor, the father of the child, having given formal evidence of identification, it was decided to adjourn the Inquest to Thursday, Jan. 11th, at 7.30 p.m.

BARNSTAPLE - Sudden Death Of MR A. H. DOWN, At Barnstaple. - There was a terribly sad occurrence at Barnstaple on Thursday afternoon, MR AUGUSTUS HOWE DOWN, manager to Mr J. Tresise, draper, &c., of Joy-street, collapsing whilst engaged in the shop, and although Dr Manning was speedily in attendance, expiring in a few minutes. MR DOWN, although residing at Ilfracombe, was well-known at Barnstaple, where for some years, he carried on business as an outfitter in Bear-street; and he was a man, who, for his happy disposition and sterling qualities, was held in the highest general esteem. MR DOWN was 58 years of age. Sympathy with the widow and family in their tragic bereavement is general. - Before Mr T. A. R. Bencraft (Borough Coroner), and a Jury, of which Mr D. Moxham was chosen Foreman, the Inquest was held at the North Devon Infirmary on Friday evening. - In his opening statement, the Coroner said MR DOWN had kept a lodging-house at Ilfracombe, and was in the habit of coming to Barnstaple to assist Mr Tresise in the management of the tailors' department of his establishment in Joy-street. The previous day MR DOWN dropped down in the shop and Dr Manning, who was sent for, arrived just in time to see him breathe his last. He, the Coroner, had ordered a post mortem examination, and the doctor would be able to tell them to what cause death was really due. - MRS RICHARDS, daughter of the deceased, of Ilfracombe, said she never remembered her father having a day's illness in his life. He had a fainting fit once, and fell off a chair, but she attributed this to fatigue, rather than to any functional disorder or defect, for he regained himself almost at once. He always enjoyed absolutely splendid health; neither was he ever depressed - in fact, he was just the opposite. He came home from Barnstaple every week-end. He was home on Thursday morning and after having his dinner, he proceeded to Barnstaple by the train which arrived at 2.7. - Mr James Tresise, draper, of Joy-street, stated that he was met by a boy, whilst coming down Bear-street, on Thursday, who told him that he was wanted immediately in the shop. He hurried down to find that MR DOWN had dropped down soon after arriving by the train. Life was extinct, when he (Mr Tresise) arrived at the shop. MR DOWN always appeared to be in god health, and never complained in this connection. In answer to a Juror, Mr Tresise said the deceased did just what work he chose - "he worked or sat down, just as he pleased." - Mrs Eliza Bennett, an employee of Mr Tresise, stated that MR DOWN came into the shop from Ilfracombe at 2.15, and he seemed well, and chatted pleasantly. Suddenly, when outside the counter, nearly an hour later, he fell, as witness thought, in a fit. Witness saw it was serious, and ran for Dr Manning, who came at once. - Mr M. Ffoulkes, a Juror: Do you think he had hurried from the train? - He could not have. - By another Juror: MR DOWN fell on his side. I turned him over on his back and undid his collar and vest, before running for Dr Manning. - Dr Manning spoke to finding deceased as described, everything possible having been done for him. MR DOWN was gasping on his arrival, and passed away very quickly. Not knowing the cause of death, he had, in accordance with the Coroner's instructions, performed a post mortem examination, and found a large haemorrhage on the brain, which was, undoubtedly, the cause of death. - The Coroner: Mrs Richards has told us that some time ago her father had a fainting fit. Would that have anything to do with this occurrence? - No. - Inspector Tucker, who, with assistance, removed the body to the mortuary, was also called. - The Coroner thought it perfectly clear that MR DOWN'S terrible sudden death was due to cerebral haemorrhage. Everything possible was done for him and he thought the Jury would have no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that death was due to natural causes. - The Jury returned a verdict accordingly. - Mr Ffoulkes remarked that he had known MR DOWN for some eighteen years, and there was no better or more respectable citizen. He was sure the Jury would express sincere sympathy with the family in their bereavement. - The Foreman, on behalf of the Jury, endorsed all that Mr Ffoulkes had said regarding MR DOWN. - The Coroner also said he had known MR DOWN for many years, and was very shocked and pained to hear of his sudden death. He also expressed his sympathy , which he asked MRS RICHARDS to convey to her mother and the rest of the family.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 11 January 1917
WOOLACOMBE - Morte-Hoe Gardener's Suicide. - The death has occurred at Woolacombe, under tragic circumstances, of a well-known resident of Morte-Hoe, in the person of JAMES PIKE, aged 56. Deceased left home about 9.30 on Saturday morning to go to his work as a gardener at the Woolacombe Bay Hotel. As he was not subsequently seen, inquiries were made and at 11.50 a.m. he was found lying dead, face downwards, in a stream which runs through the hotel grounds. The water was about a foot deep. In one of deceased's pockets was a piece of rope eight feet in length. - On July 20th last deceased was charged, before the Braunton Divisional Magistrates, with attempting to commit suicide by shooting himself, and was committed for trial at the Devon Quarter Sessions. At the latter he was bound over in his own recognisance and those of his sister to be of good behaviour. He then went to reside with his sister at Dawlish, but later returned to Morte-Hoe. - At the Inquest, concluded at Woolacombe on Saturday, by Dr Ellis Pearson, of Bideford (County Coroner), a verdict of "Suicide by Drowning while Temporarily Insane" was returned. It was stated that deceased had been in very bad health and much depressed.

BIDEFORD - A Verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest at Bideford on Thursday afternoon on GEORGE GALSWORTHY, casual labourer, who was found in a dying condition on the Gammaton-road on Wednesday evening and died in a trap whilst being brought into Bideford by Wm. Bartlett, whom he had asked to take him to a Hospital or into a shed, as he did not want to die by the hedge. - Dr Francis said the cause of death was syncope due to heart disease.

BARNSTAPLE - Suicide Of A Barnstaple Labourer. "Story Of Misery And Desperation." - Whilst taking a stroll in Lover's Grove, Barnstaple, about 10.15 p.m. on Saturday, Mr Wilfred Symons, an ex-soldier, of Sunflower-road, was horrified to find hanging to some railings near the railway bridge the body of a man, subsequently identified as that of THOMAS BRANTON, labourer, aged 60, of Bear-street, Barnstaple. Seeing that the man was dead, Mr Symons did not disturb the body, but went on to the Square, where he reported the matter to P.C. Manley, subsequently assisting P.S. Braund, P.C.'s Manley and Corney to remove the remains to the mortuary at the North Devon Infirmary. The Inquest was held on Monday evening, before the Borough Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, and a Jury of which Mr D. Moxham was chosen Foreman, the Jury, after hearing the evidence, which was of an unusual character, returning a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane." - The Coroner, in opening the Inquiry, said that formerly BRANTON was a coal carter employed in turn by Mr Pickett and Dornat and Co. Some years ago he married the present MRS BRANTON, and helped her to conduct a fried fish shop in Silver-street. Afterwards MR and MRS BRANTON removed to Bear-street, where, unfortunately, there had been great disagreement between them. One did not want to "rake up" more of the man's past history or his faults than was necessary, but it was, nevertheless, necessary to get at the state of his mind when he committed this act. As he had stated, there had been great disagreement between BRANTON and his wife, this culminating in the man being told to go away and leave her, which he eventually did. Unfortunately, BRANTON was in rather feeble health; he (the Coroner) saw him only a few days ago and noticed his frail appearance. He thought BRANTON did the best thing possible under the circumstances, namely, in obtaining an order from the Police for admission to the casual ward at the Union Workhouse, where he stayed on Wednesday night in last week. On Friday he applied to the Guardians for admission to the Workhouse, but the Board could not see their way to grant this, telling him that he ought to go back to his wife and try to get some work. He ()the Coroner) did not know of any legal obligation, at any rate, on MRS BRANTON to maintain her husband. When BRANTON saw the Guardians, he was told to wait until after the meeting, but, on Mr Clement, the Relieving Officer, going out to see him he found that he was gone. BRANTON spent that night in a lodging house and next morning he went to several places having drink, while at Mr Huxtable's, Boutport-street, in the morning, he also had a cup of tea. Some time in the evening he must have gone to the Great Western Railway Bridge, over Lovers' Grove, where, as would be stated in evidence, Mr Symons found the body. Mr Symons, who had been invalided out of the Army, was naturally somewhat upset and he came into the town and informed the Police instead of doing the proper thing, namely cutting the man down and applying artificial respiration. The Coroner mentioned that Mr Symons first met him in Taw Vale Parade and on his instructions he went on and notified the Police. It was probably by reason of his own ill-health that Mr Symons did not cut down the body, but in this case it probably made no difference, inasmuch as when the remains were conveyed to the Infirmary, Dr Vermylen found that death, due to strangulation, had occurred about two hours previously. The Jury would have to decide first whether BRANTON committed suicide, and of this he did not think there was any doubt, and then they would have to consider the state of his mind and the circumstances leading up to his committing the act. MRS BRANTON would, perhaps, have a satisfactory explanation to offer, and a satisfactory explanation was required for turning her husband out of the house. Moreover, there was the question of the procedure adopted by the Board of Guardians. It ought, however, to be pointed out that BRANTON had made an application to them once previously, and that on their advice he went back to his wife, and they probably thought the same thing would again occur. Mr Clement, Relieving Officer, would tell the Jury that if BRANTON had come to him he should have given him an order for the Workhouse, whilst it was always open to the man to go to the Police and get a ticket for admission to the casual ward. He knew that if the Jury thought there was any blame to be attached to anyone - either to MRS BRANTON or the Board of Guardians - they would not hesitate to say so. - MRS ELIZA BRANTON stated that she was a widow when she married deceased about thirteen years ago. At that time BRANTON was distributing coal for Dornat and Co., work which, three or four months later, he had to give up in consequence of illness. Afterwards he worked for the Town Council and in other ways; but, subsequently, again came home and gave her a little help, she in return giving him board and lodging. After she removed to Bear-street, where she had a fried fish shop, her husband used to take what money he liked from the till, and when she found he was taking too much she decided to allow him 10 ½d. a day. Witness found out afterwards that he had a key made to fit a chest of drawers, from which he took her silver. Obtaining possession of this key, she allowed him board and lodgings and 5s. per week and told him that if he was not satisfied he was to go and look out for himself. Whenever she or her daughters left the shop, BRANTON would take more money from the till, and as in addition he took no interest in the business, this aggravated her. On the previous Monday she gave him his money, and he did not return home until nine o'clock at night. He seemed lost and dazed and silly and looked as if he was drunk; and witness told him he had better go to bed. On the Tuesday he was also quite silly, and talked all sorts of rubbish; and subsequently she saw him at a public house playing at a machine. On Wednesday morning he came home and went to bed and later she told him, as she had done about twelve months previously, to go and look out for himself, as she could maintain herself and the children. BRANTON cleaned and went out and she had not seen him since. On Friday evening the Police asked her if she would have her husband back again, as the Board of Guardians would not admit him to the Workhouse. She replied, "Yes, if he will be satisfied with the 5s. per week I give him and not take my money from the till." She admitted writing Mr Clement, Relieving Officer, saying she could not put up with her husband any longer. If witness asked him to chop a stick he would say he could not do it, as it made his arm ache. - By the Foreman: Her husband had said he suffered from rheumatism, whilst he had chilblains on his hands. - Mr Moxham: A man could not work with broken chilblains! - It was not very much work he had to do. I did not complain about the work, but because he took my money. - The Coroner: Have you not noticed how very ill and bad he has been looking? - Yes. - Francis A. Clement, Relieving Officer, deposed that BRANTON spent Wednesday night in the casual ward. Next morning, when witness first saw him, he did his task (chopping sticks) quite satisfactorily. BRANTON did not look very bad, in his opinion, although, not knowing him before, it was difficult to say anything about him. He took his discharge on Friday morning about nine and returned about 1.30 in order to appear before the Board of Guardians. BRANTON had had some drink; deceased said it was "only a pint," but the Master of the Workhouse thought he had had more. BRANTON told him he wanted to apply to the Guardians for admission to the Workhouse, saying his wife had turned him out of doors and refused to take him back again. He added that he could not work. [The Coroner: I believe that was so.] BRANTON appeared before the Board and after hearing his (Mr Clement's) statement and what the man himself had to say, they advised BRANTON to try and go back to his wife, and also to see if he could get work. BRANTON was asked to retire and when he (Mr Clement) went out afterwards, expecting to find him still waiting, deceased had gone. He (Mr Clement) should have given BRANTON the same advice as the Board; and should have suggested that if he did not succeed, to again see the Police, or come back and see him. - The Coroner: The Guardians knew he had been turned out and that he had made it up with his wife before? - Mr Clement: Yes, I explained that. MRS BRANTON, in a letter to witness dated January 4th, said:- "In reference to THOMAS BRANTON being in the Workhouse, I know of no reason why he should go to the Workhouse. I told him on Wednesday morning that I could not possibly have him living with me any longer and that he must go and look out for himself. I can maintain my children and myself, but cannot possibly have a man about me that is watching every opportunity to rob me, and to go and spend in the public house. For years all he has done for me he has been amply paid for; besides what he has stolen from me; therefore I cannot have anything more to do with him. Will you kindly put this before the Guardians should it be necessary." - The Coroner: That gave the Board pretty well to understand that he would not be allowed to go home? He was told to wait and you intended to tell him what to do after the meeting was over? - Yes. - Then, if he found he could not be taken home and could not get work, it would have been your duty to give him an order to the Workhouse? - Yes, either myself or the Police, who are assistant Relieving Officers. I think he was under the influence of drink, and he may have gone away not understanding what was said. - Anyhow, it was put to him pretty unmistakably that he was to go back and make it up with his wife or get work? - Yes, sir. - The Foreman, to MRS BRANTON: Did your husband ever threaten to take his life? - No; he never mentioned such a thing to me. - Wilfred Symons, who mentioned that he was invalided out of the Army, after serving ten years, spoke to finding the body, BRANTON being in a sitting position, with a rope round his neck, attached to the railings. As deceased was in his opinion quite dead and stiff, he went on and informed the Police. - P.C. Manley stated that there was a mark a quarter of an inch deep round deceased's neck, this being caused by the rope, on which otherwise there was no weight. Witness cut the rope, BRANTON being cold and stiff. He understood that BRANTON had a pint of beer the same evening at 6.15 and that on the previous evening he slept at Mrs Woodman's lodging house. He had 3s. 2d., and a pipe and tobacco in his pockets. - Dr J. Vermeylen, the Belgian House Surgeon at the infirmary, deposed that death was due to strangulation, there being a deep impression on the deceased's neck. - The coroner expressed the opinion that BRANTON committed suicide whilst temporarily insane and the reason was not far to seek. Rightly or wrongly, he had been turned out of his home and his state of health, in his opinion, utterly precluded him getting employment. As he had said, he saw the man two or three days previously, and was struck by his terribly frail and emaciated appearance. With regard to the Board of Guardians, he thought it a pity they gave him the impression that they would not help him, because it seemed to have driven the man to desperation. On the other hand, he committed the act some time afterwards and he supposed he knew that he could, at any rate, get an order from the Police for the casual ward, whilst Mr Clement was quite prepared to give him an order to the Workhouse if he had been destitute. However, he had some money in his pocket when found, so that he was not very destitute. it seemed to be a sordid story of misery and desperation, and he feared that the whole circumstances unhinged the poor fellow's mind, and made him commit suicide. If the Jury thought any censure should be meted out, it was for them to say so. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane," the Foreman adding: "They think there is a little blame, but do not like to put it on anyone."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 18 January 1917
ILFRACOMBE - Body Found On Tunnels Beach. - The body of a man, apparently a merchant seaman was washed ashore at the Tunnels, Ilfracombe, on January 8th. - The Inquest was held at the Tunnels room on Thursday afternoon, by Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner. - Mr M. W. Tattam was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - Papers found on the body presumably identified the deceased as EDWARD S. GAGE, aged 33, 3rd officer on the s.s. "Rappahannock" owned by Messrs. Furness, Withy and Co., of London. - Charles B. Lewis, attendant at the Tunnels, stated that on his daily visit to the Beach, at 12 noon on Monday, January 8th, he was walking around the wall of the bathing cove and looking towards the Channel, he saw a body floating. He called the attention of a man who was with him to the fact, and they made the body fast, till they informed the Police. When the Constable came they brought the body carefully in, wrapped in a tarpaulin and placed it in a bathing machine. It was afterwards placed in a coffin, in an outhouse. - P.C. Champion stated that on the day named, he went to the Tunnels and saw the body of the deceased on the beach, made fast by a rope. He examined the body and found it was that of a man about 5ft. 6in. high, partially decomposed; the right fore-arm to the elbow was missing. In the left upper jaw were six gold stopped teeth. There were portions of clothing on the body, which had wire stitches (as following an operation) mostly in the right groin. The clothing were parts of a khaki shirt and a blue knitted waistcoat, an inside vest, pants, socks and laced boots; the coat, vest and waistband of the trousers were of navy blue; the brass buttons on the coat had the letter F, and those on the vest had a crown and anchor. On searching the body, in each breast pocket of the coast were papers, several British postage stamps and three Canadian one-cent stamps; there were also one British passport, 83990 issued to EDWARD SEYMOUR GAGE, dated 17th March 1916 and six certificates of discharge from various boats on which deceased had been employed as mate. Each certificate was marked "ability and conduct good," and all were signed EDWARD S. GAGE. There was also an Army Form 3291, a classification certificate, showing him to have been medically examined in August last and classed as C1, with the address Furness House, Pitterton-street, London, E.C. There was a pocket wallet containing other papers and a note book. With the help of Sergt. Woollacott and the witness Lewis, he removed the body to a place of safety and then the Police in London were communicated with. - P.S. Woollacott produced the correspondence with the London Police and the owners of the steamer on which deceased had been. - Two of the sisters of the deceased man arrived from London before the Inquest was closed and MISS EVELYN MAY GAGE, the elder said that the deceased man was her brother; he had several gold stopped teeth and recently had undergone an operation for double hernia at Greenwich Hospital; the stitching was done with silver filigree. She identified the writing on the certificate of deceased. He sailed in the "Rappahannock" from Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 17th, 1916, and they had had no news of him since. He was third officer of the ship, which she believed was bound for London. - The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that the body was that of EDWARD SEYMOUR GAGE, 33, of the s.s. "Rappahannock," who was washed ashore at the Tunnels Beach, Ilfracombe, on Monday, January 8th last, but that there was no evidence to show how he came into the water. - The Jury desired to give their deepest sympathy with the mother and family in the great sorrow that had befallen them. - The funeral of the deceased took place on Monday at the Parish Church and was conducted by Rev. J. L. Beazor. The family present were the MISSES GAGE (sisters) and Sapper W. GAGE, Canadian Engineers (brother).

BARNSTAPLE - Infant's Death At Barnstaple. - The adjourned Inquiry concerning the death of THOMAS HENRY MOORE, infant son of MR and MRS MOORE of Pengelly's-court, High-street, Barnstaple, who died on December 28th, 1916, at the age of nine days, was conducted at the North Devon Infirmary on Thursday evening before the Borough Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, and a Jury of which Mr D. Moxham was Foreman. - The Coroner in reviewing the circumstances said the child was enjoying good health up to and on the night prior to its death, when it was fed at eleven o'clock by the mother. In the morning the child had its usual food at seven o'clock and was quite well. About 8.30 however, the mother found it was dead and she called for husband, who immediately summoned Dr F. L. Thomas, who could only pronounce life to be extinct. In his (the Coroner's) opinion death was purely due to misadventure, but he thought that during the recent cold snaps, if a fire could not have been kept in the room, the child should have been placed in a cot beside the bed. - MRS MOORE, the mother, who was unable to attend at the first Inquiry, gave a detailed account of events prior to the morning of the child's death. At 6.30 a.m. on December 28th, when she woke up, as the child was then not quite so warm as usual, she put additional clothes on it and it went off to sleep moaning. At eight o'clock she turned back the clothes and the child seemed to be sound asleep, but the hands were tightly clenched. She took it in her lap and noticing some blood around its nostrils screamed for her husband, who immediately went for Dr F. L. Thomas, who, on arriving, informed them the child was dead. - MR MOORE, the husband, corroborated his wife's evidence, adding that the child had had a nasty cold. - Dr F. L. Thomas, who conducted a post mortem, said there were no external marks suggesting any violence. the nerves contained some blood and the lungs suggested that a pressure had been exerted upon it. When he arrived at the house, the child had been dead for probably half-an-hour, death evidently being due to suffocation. - Questioned by the Coroner, Dr Thomas said in his opinion every child should have a separate cot, although he did not think that in this case the mother could have accidentally laid her elbow on the child. - P.S. Braund also gave evidence, bearing out the doctor's remarks that there were no external signs of any violence. - The Jury brought in a unanimous verdict of "Death from Misadventure.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 1 February 1917
LOXHORE - Woman's Suicide At Loxhore. - At the Croft, Lower Loxhore, on Friday evening, Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner for North Devon, Enquired into the circumstances attending the death of BETSY VERNEY, 65, who was found drowned in the river Yeo on Wednesday last. Deceased was the wife of WILLIAM VERNEY, market gardener, of Lower Loxhore, who gave evidence of identification. He said deceased seemed all right when he last saw her alive on Saturday morning about 11 o'clock. He then left her in the kitchen while he went to cut sticks, and on returning about midday, she was not there. Witness finished cooking dinner and having partaken of the same, went to make enquiries concerning her, first at her sister-in-law's, and then in the village, but could not get any news of her, except that Mrs Norman had seen her pass about 11.40. Other enquiries had also been made. He did not see his wife again until the body was brought home. Witness proceeded to say that his wife had been "on the drink," and he thought she had gone to Barnstaple, as she had done some seven or eight years ago. - Asked if she often went off "on the drink," witness said she had been drinking heavily, but kept herself on her legs. She returned home from market one Friday night recently with a pint of brandy and a pint of whiskey. - Q.: Would she stop away for a day or two "on the drink?" - She had previously stopped out a night or two, but that was longer ago. She had been going on a little better of late years, but was getting bad again lately. - Questioned as to the deceased having any money, witness said that she kept the market money and also the keys. On Friday evening last she returned home, had her supper, and went to bed about 6.30. Witness remarked something about her "old capers again." Next morning she was about as usual, and took him up some tea. - Q.: Had she any drink in the house? - Yes, what I had taken away from her before. Witness said he put the brandy and whiskey she previously brought home in a cupboard, and told his wife to "look at it and see if she could not shame herself of it." She had drunk part of one of the bottles. He had never known his wife go away and stay so long before, and she had never threatened to take her life, nor had he any suspicion she was likely to do such a thing. - Elizabeth Conibear spoke to meeting the deceased coming down the village on Saturday morning just before 12 o'clock. She was not dressed as if she were going far. Witness asked her how she was and she replied that she could tell exactly. Witness enquired if she had a cold, to which deceased replied that she had had two or three colds. They then remarked something about the weather and passed on. Deceased appeared to be quite all right then. - Thomas Kelly, son-in-law of MR VERNEY, spoke to finding the body on Wednesday afternoon in the River Yeo, at a spot about a quarter of a mile from deceased's house. He did not ever think she was likely to take her own life. He had never seen her the worse for drink. - P.C. Stephens said no money or paper was found on the body, nor any note in the house. Deceased had a shawl wrapped around her head when the body was found. Witness said that at the bottom of the lane leading to deceased's home there was a stone ditched wall, from which a stone had been removed for engines to take water from the stream below. On the earth there, was an imprint of a woman's foot and the body was found about 20 yards away. He did not know whether the footprint was that of the deceased, but it was not a place where a woman was likely to be in the ordinary course. - Summing up, the Coroner said it appeared that deceased had deliberately gone down to the river and jumped in. He did not think there was any reason to suppose that deceased was pushed into the river, or that she slipped in. It was not as it occurred on a dark night. - The Jury, of which Mr B. Baker was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Suicide."

LYNTON - Sad Occurrence At Lynton. - MRS EMILY VELLACOTT, wife of MR WALLACE VELLACOTT, of Sparhanger Farm, Lynton, was recently admitted into Lynton Cottage Hospital to undergo an operation. The anaesthetic had just been administered when she expired suddenly. The doctors did all that could be done to resuscitate her but to no avail. - MRS VELLACOTT leaves a husband and three young children to mourn their sad loss. At the Inquest held by Dr Pearson, Deputy Coroner, a verdict of "Death by Misadventure" was returned. Deceased, who was 33 years of age, was much beloved in the district.

LEE - Cliff Fatality At Lee. Morte-Hoe Man's Sad Death. - A sad fatality occurred at Lee last week, when about 9.30 a.m. a Morte-Hoe labourer named WILLIAM JOHN BENNETT, aged 54, was found at the bottom of the cliff at Sandy Cove, in a dying condition. He was found by Mr Charles Hill, sub-postmaster at Lee, and conveyed to a cottage on the beach, but died on the way. The deceased was a well-known personality in the district. - The Inquest was held at the Manor Hotel, Lee, on Thursday afternoon, by Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner, and a Jury of which Mr F. W. Wright was the Foreman. - The first witness was Mr William Henry Hill, brother-in-law of the deceased, who said he last saw deceased alive on Monday morning about 10 o'clock at witness's house, where he lodged. He was then quite all right. He left as soon as he had finished his breakfast and said he was going to Damage Farm to attend to his traps. He had got no traps near Sandy Cove. He did not return on Monday night. - The Coroner: Did you expect him home on Monday night? - Witness: No, not when he is on the spree. There is no dependence on what time he comes home. - The Coroner: How often was he "on the spree?" - Witness replied: "Very often." He added that he slept out sometimes; but not since last summer. - The Coroner: Then you did not think much about his not coming home on Monday night? - Witness: No, I did not think much about it. - The Coroner: Had he been drinking lately? - Witness: No, sir; he had not been drinking much for about three weeks. - The Coroner: When did you miss him? - Witness: On Tuesday morning, when I found that he had not been in the house during the night. I did not think much about it, as it is not the first time it has happened. - In answer to a Juryman, witness said deceased had no traps near the place where he fell over the cliff. Sometimes he went to see his traps at night. - Witness further stated that on receipt of a telegram he went to Lee, where he saw the body in the tea house on the beach. He searched deceased's pockets and found the sum of 15s. 6 ½d. - The Coroner asked how far the edge of the cliff was from the road, and witness replied, "about 300 or 400 yards. It was quite out of his way home." - Mr Henry John Taylor said he saw the deceased about 6.30 on Monday evening in the Manor Hotel bar. - The Coroner: Was he sober? - Witness: Nothing out of the way. He had two pints of beer and he took away with him a pint of rum. He came into the bar a few minutes before six and left again just after 6.30. - The Coroner: Did he say where he was going? - Witness: He said he was going about his traps. He said he could earn more money trapping than at "wrecking." When he took the rum from the landlord he said: "The Lord be with you till we meet again." He then wished us all "Good night" and went down the road. - Mr Charles Hill said he found deceased on the beach at Sandy Cover about 9.30- on Tuesday morning. He was lying on the beach on his back at the foot of the cliff, with his head towards the sea. He was alive, but did not speak. When witness spoke he fancied deceased was conscious that someone was near. Witness tried to lift him. He believed deceased tried to help raise himself. He was groaning. Witness went for assistance and some brandy, and deceased was still alive when he returned. He died soon afterwards. - In answer to a Juryman it was stated that about 1 ¾ hours had elapsed after the deceased was found before the body was brought to the cottage. - Dr Langridge here remarked that it was a very difficult place from which to bring him in. - P.C. Champion deposed that on Tuesday, in consequence of a message received from the last witness, he came to Lee and saw the body of the deceased lying in the beach tea house. He searched the body and found two wood pipes, a pocket knife, tobacco box and some tobacco. He was informed that the body had been previously searched. Witness then accompanied Mr Hill to Sandy Cove, where the body was found. He afterwards examined the ground at the golf links near the edge of the cliff directly above where the body had been found. The distance from the road to the top of the cliff was about 300 yards. A low wall about 2ft. high divided the golf links and the edge of the cliff. Deceased would have had to get over the wall to get to the edge of the cliff. The ground between the wall and the edge of the cliff was sloping. Here there were marks of the heel of a boot. The cliff at this place is not perpendicular, but slightly sloping. Witness ascertained that deceased had been trapping on Damage Farm, but not near Sandy Cove. Deceased might have been going to a certain shed for shelter. In that case he would cross the golf links. - Dr Langridge said he had made a post-mortem examination of the body. The only external mark was a contusion over the right eye. At the fifth or sixth vertebra there was a dislocation. The internal organs were fairly healthy. In his opinion, death was due to a fracture and dislocation of the neck and to exposure. - In reply to the Coroner, witness said deceased could not have lived even had he been found directly after the accident happened. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." They gave their fees to the relatives, and expressed appreciation of what Mr Charles Hill had done when he found deceased. It was evident that he did all it was possible to do.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 8 February 1917
STOKE DAMEREL - The Fatal Accident To A Lyntonian. - Mr J. A. Pearse, Coroner, held an Inquest at Ker-street Police Court, Devonport, on Wednesday, touching the death of HAROLD BIBBINGS, yard porter at the Goods Station, London and South Western Railway, Devonport. - Inspector W. Trump watched the proceedings on behalf of the London and South Western Railway Company; Mr Stevens, Stationmaster, and Inspector Moore were also present and Mr G. W. Brown, organising secretary National Union of Railwaymen, Bristol, represented the relatives of deceased. - WILLIAM HENRY BIBBINGS, Victoria House, Lynton, ex-P.C. of the Devon Constabulary, identified deceased as his son, who was 27 years of age. - John Samuel Veale, foreman in the employ of Chaplin and Co., stated that on Monday last he was assisting in unloading corrugated sheets from a railway truck to a trolley alongside. A load was lifted at one end for the purpose of placing a strap underneath. Witness and another man were at the crane, and the corrugated iron was hoisted about a foot. Deceased, who was on the truck, gave an order "High enough." Deceased then got off the truck on to the ground and got hold of the end of the sheets, which were then on a slight slant. An order was then given by deceased to "Box the crane." But before this could be done some of the plates slid down and struck deceased in the stomach, knocking him down. With assistance the sheets were lifted off deceased. The sling around the plates consisted of three-inch white Manilla rope. - Witness added that his firm always used two slings. He had seen one sling used on previous occasions where the load would be lighter. - By the Jury: The length of the plates was about 9ft. 6ins. - Mr W. A. Dymond, chief clerk, L. and S.W.R., said the sheets were of galvanised iron and the load on the truck consisted of 74 sheets, the weight being 1 ton 9 cwt. The crane and rope were in good condition. Deceased was a very steady man and had had many years' experience. It was left entirely to deceased as to whether one or two slings should be used in connection with the work. - Captain J. D. Duncan, R.A.M.C., Military Hospital, stated that he was fetched to the Station, where he saw deceased who was unconscious and obviously dying. He died about twelve minutes after, death being due to shock produced by rupture of the internal organs. There was considerable laceration of the intestines and internal haemorrhage. - Captain Duncan added that he was particularly struck with the thorough manner in which deceased's fellow workmen conducted the first aid attention previous to his arrival. - The father, through Mr Brown, conveyed his thanks to deceased's workmen and Captain Duncan for what they had done for his son. - The Coroner observed that deceased must have been deceived in regard to the weight of the load; he thought one sling would be sufficient. The company had lost an excellent servant and it was gratifying to know that the workmen at the Station did all they could for deceased when the accident occurred. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed their deep sympathy with the relatives. Inspector Trump, on behalf of the Railway Company, associated himself with the vote. - The funeral of MR HAROLD BIBBINGS, eldest son of MR and MRS BIBBINGS, Victoria House, who was killed by an accident on the railway at Devonport, took place at Lynton amid every manifestation of sympathy for the grief stricken parents and family. The Rev. W. Gordon Baillie officiated. Appropriate funeral music "O rest in the Lord" and the Dead March from Saul were played by Miss Scriven, the organist. The immediate mourners were the parents, the Misses EVA, ELSIE and MARJORY BIBBINGS (Sisters), Mr GUSSIE (brother), and Miss M. Freast (Fiancée). Beautiful floral tokens were sent as follows: In ever loving memory of our darling HAROLD, from his heart-broken father, mother, brother and sister; Sincere sympathy from Celia; With loving sympathy from Uncle Jack and Aunty Nell (Exeter); With sincere sympathy from Mrs T. Baker; A token of respect and deepest sympathy from the staff at Devonport Station (L & S. W.R); A token of respect and deepest sympathy, from the staff of Chaplin and Col, Devonport; A token of respect and deepest sympathy from Mrs Barrett, fellow members, the Masonic Hall Dancing Class, Devonport; Staff of refreshment room, Devonport; Staff of Bookstalls, Devonport. The bearers were Messrs. J. Slee, R. Slee, R. Bowden, W. Latham, R. Hodges

North Devon Journal, Thursday 15 February 1917
BARNSTAPLE - Ex-Soldier's Sudden Death At Barnstaple. - At the North Devon Infirmary on Thursday evening, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, Borough Coroner, and a Jury of which Mr G. Moxham was chosen Foreman, Inquired into the death of WILLIAM SHADDICK, an ex-soldier, who was found dead on Tuesday evening. - The Coroner said that SHADDICK was in the Militia some years ago and on the Reserve when called up on the outbreak of War. After serving twelve months in the Devon Regiment in France, he was invalided out of the Army. Deceased's discharge paper read, "He was a good soldier, being discharged on account of illness, due to active service in France in 1914, while he was a honest and hard working man," so that he bore a very good character. About six weeks ago Dr F. L. Thomas attended SHADDICK for a very bad chest disorder and was not at all surprised to hear of his death. - MISS SHADDICK spoke to seeing her brother (the deceased) in the Market on the previous Thursday. He seemed all right and did not complain. Her brother had lodged at 10 Barbican Terrace. - Mrs Alice McKay, who assists Mrs Worth, the licensed holder of the Exeter Inn, Litchdon-street, stated that, calling at the Inn at about four o'clock on Tuesday afternoon, SHADDICK had a half-pint of beer. Calling again at 5.30 he asked for a pint and was quite sober. Deceased and Mr Dockings were in the bar when she went out to tea, and she did not see SHADDICK afterwards. - Wm. Dockings deposed that SHADDICK entered the bar remarking it was rather cold and that he could not stick it and that he had come in to sit by the fire. Whilst there SHADDICK spat several times and witness noticed some blood. He (Dockings) asked if he had had a tooth out, SHADDICK replying "No," and pointing to his chest said "I always feel it here." Deceased left a little later. At about a quarter to eight, a man told him there was another man asleep in the lavatory at the top of the yard behind the Inn, and going there witness found SHADDICK in a sitting position. Witness called out "BILL," but SHADDICK did not answer and he could not see any signs of breathing. Blood was coming from SHADDICK'S mouth, whilst there was also a pool on the floor. Whilst two or three men rushed up to deceased's assistance, witness ran for a doctor. - Dr F. L. Thomas, who had known SHADDICK since 1913, informed the Jury that he frequently suffered from a weak chest. When SHADDICK left the Army about six weeks previously he attended him for severe bronchitis. Witness did not again see him until called in on Tuesday evening and in his opinion he had then been dead for an hour. - The Coroner: Were you surprised he should have died in this way, especially having regard to the cold weather? - No, especially considering his weak state of health. Death was due, in his opinion, to haemorrhage of the lungs. - Inspector Tucker, who directed the removal of the body to the Infirmary, was also called. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes." They expressed sympathy with deceased's sister, and on the suggestion of the Foreman, voted their fee towards the funeral expenses. - The funeral took place on Friday, the interment being made in Holy Trinity Churchyard. Rev. H. Every (Vicar) assisted by Rev. Hookham (Curate) officiated. The mourners were MISS SHADDICK (sister), Mr and Mrs J. Shaddick (uncle and aunt), Mr R. Shaddick, Mrs C. Knill, Miss Annie Aze, Miss New, Miss Jeffery, Miss Norman (cousins), Mrs Parish, Mrs Ford, Mrs Lock and Mrs Sanders (friends). Choice wreaths were sent in affectionate remembrance from Miss Drury, and in loving memory from all t No. 10 Barbican-terrace. Messrs. Cater and Son, of Victoria-road, carried out the funeral arrangements.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 22 February 1917
SOUTH MOLTON - MRS CHARLOTTE FURSE SMALE, widow, aged 85, was found dead in her bed at her residence in Barnstaple-street on Monday morning. She had been suffering recently from bronchitis. At the Inquest a verdict of Death from Natural Causes was returned, and the Jury expressed sympathy with the relatives in their bereavement.

BARNSTAPLE - Fatal Accident At Barnstaple. - ALFRED GEORGE BAKER, labourer, whilst engaged in tipping coal at Barnstaple Gas Co's works on Monday afternoon, was caught on the knee by the wing f the cart and, staggering, fell into the cellar below, sustaining serious injuries. After receiving medical attention at his home in Higher Church-street, the unfortunate man was removed to the North Devon Infirmary, where he passed away later in the evening. The deceased, who was 49 years of age, was an ex-soldier, having served twelve years in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and holding the Burmese medal. He was a member of a soldier family, the father and five sons having served in the Army. MR ALFRED BAKER was a greatly-esteemed workman, and the deepest sympathy if felt for the widow and family in their sudden bereavement. - The Inquest was held at the Infirmary last (Wednesday) evening, before the Borough Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, and a Jury of which Mr D. Moxham was chosen Foreman. Mr C. E. R. Chanter, Chairman of the Gas Company, and Mr F. L. Schofield, Manager, attended. Mr C. H. Morris (H.M. Inspector of Factories) and Mr A. F. Seldon were also present, the latter watching the interests of deceased's family. - Mr Changer at the outset said that the deceased had been in the employ of the Gas Company about sixteen years and he was a workman for whom they had very great regard and respect. On behalf of the Company he expressed great regret at the unfortunate accident and desired to say how greatly they sympathised with the family in their trouble. - The Coroner believed he was right in saying a similar accident had never previously occurred at the Works. - MRS BAKER, the widow, spoke to her husband being quite well at dinner-time on Monday and to being brought home about 4.30 in the afternoon. He was attended first by Dr Harper and later by Dr Lemarchand, and, not getting better, was removed to the Infirmary. Deceased said nothing in regard to the accident. He kept on putting his hand to his head, and on witness asking if his head was aching, he replied, "No, my heart is aching." - Wm. J. Rook and Chas. H. Yeo, carters, described how the accident occurred. - Rook, in answer to the Foreman, said the staging was quite firm, and safe for carts to travel over. - Yeo explained that deceased mentioned that he was caught by the cart in the same knee which was injured twelve months previously. - Dr A. W. Lemarchand stated that everything possible was done for BAKER and that death was due to haemorrhage of the brain. - The Coroner thought it an unfortunate accident for which no one was to blame. The Government Inspector had visited the spot and was perfectly well satisfied with the arrangements made by the Gas Company for discharging coal at their works. - Mr Morris: That is so. - A verdict of Accidental Death was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 15 March 1917
BARNSTAPLE - Sudden Death At Barnstaple. - With tragic suddenness the death took place at her residence, No. 13 Belle Meadow, Barnstaple, of LOUISA ANN NOTT, aged 56. The deceased, who was subject to epileptic fits, was the daughter of the late RICHARD NOTT, fisherman. She was found dead in her bed shortly before midnight on Friday. - The Inquest was held at the North Devon Infirmary on Monday evening before the Borough Corner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, and a Jury, of which Mr John Ford was elected Foreman. Mr Bencraft stated that deceased, who was a daughter of the late RICHARD NOTT, fisherman, was, unhappily very much afflicted and incapacitated. Some time ago, after the death of her mother, she was asked to go into the Workhouse, but she did not like the place and very quickly left it. Since then she had received relief, both in money and kind. On Friday she did a little bit of "charring." At supper time she seemed perfectly well and had a good meal, consisting of laver, bread and margarine and some tea. As usual, she retired to bed with her daughter, MISS CAROLINE NOTT, and some little time afterwards the latter complained of having the toothache, deceased promising her to do the household work in the morning and thus allow her to remain in bed. Shortly before midnight the deceased appears to have been taken ill and made noises in the throat and her daughter, not getting any reply from her and assuming she was dead, summoned a neighbour, who could only pronounce life to be extinct. Dr F. L. Thomas, who soon arrived on the spot, was only able to bear out the neighbours assertion. As he had not treated deceased, he (Mr Bencraft) thought it advisable that a post mortem examination should be conducted. - MISS CAROLINE NOTT bore out Mr Bencraft's statement, adding that her mother was subject to epileptic fits. - The question being raised by a Juryman as to whether the Guardians discontinued her parish pay, Mr Francis Clements, relieving officer, explained that deceased lived in insanitary surroundings and he advised the Board of Guardians some time back to discontinue the pay, and this was agreed to. He tried his utmost to persuade the deceased to go into the Workhouse, but she would not. The monetary relief she had was 5s. per week, but as deceased was weak-minded he gave her 2s. 6d. at the beginning of the week and the remainder in the middle of the week. - Dr Thomas said that when he arrived at the house deceased had been dead probably about half an hour. In his examination he found the body well nourished and the brain healthy, but the heart was in a fairly weak condition. Death, in his opinion, was due to heart failure, which might have been accelerated by epileptic fits. - Sergt. Smith gave evidence as to removing the body to the mortuary, and remarked that the surroundings in which deceased resided were filthy. - The Jury brought in a verdict of "Death due to Heart Failure."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 22 March 1917
BRATTON FLEMING - Suicide At Bratton Fleming. - Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner for North Devon, held an Inquest at the Village Hall, Bratton Fleming, on Friday morning, touching the death of RICHARD BEER PARKER, who was found hanging by a chain suspended from a beam in a shed on the previous Wednesday. The body was identified by Mrs Annie Gill, who stated that the last time she saw deceased alive was about 10.30 on Wednesday morning. He had suffered from influenza, but was getting about all right and there was nothing whatever to lead her to think that he would take his life. About ten minutes past eleven she went to the shed for some coal, and there she saw the deceased hanging. She at once ran for a neighbour and a messenger was sent to Mr C. Parkin, a special Constable, who at once came. - Mr Cyrus Parkin, who is acting as a special Constable, stated that he was called to MR J. PARKER'S on the Wednesday morning, as RICHARD PARKER had hung himself. He found the deceased suspended from a beam by a chain around his neck. He unhung the body and he considered that life was quite extinct. - Dr Manning, of Barnstaple, deposed that he had attended PARKER for influenza for the previous ten or twelve days. Deceased was at times much depressed on account of the very serious illness of his brother, with whom he lodged, but he did not consider the deceased would have taken his life. The immediate cause of death was dislocation of the neck. - A verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 19 April 1917
ILFRACOMBE - The death occurred somewhat suddenly at 76 Fore-street, Ilfracombe, on Wednesday last, of MR THOMAS ROBINS, gardener, aged 62 years. The deceased, who lived with his brother, had suffered from a chronic cough for years and about ten days ago contracted a cold, but refused to see a doctor. His brother took him a cup of beef tea about 7 o'clock on Wednesday morning, when he complained of being short in his breath. A little while later Dr Langridge was sent for. Deceased had expired, however, when the doctor arrived. - The Inquest was held at the Tyrrell Hospital on Friday afternoon by Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner. - The first witness was MR WILLIAM HENRY ROBINS, brother of the deceased. Witness said that his brother, who was 62 years of age, had lived with him. He saw the deceased downstairs about six o'clock on Wednesday morning, but he had difficulty in getting upstairs again to his bedroom, as his breath was very short. - The Coroner: Had he been ill? - Witness: Yes, he had been suffering from a bad cold for the past fortnight. For many years he had had a very bad cough. - The Coroner: Had he been obliged to keep to his bed? - Witness said he was in bed a part of the time. He came down on Sunday and again on Tuesday. - The Coroner: He has not had a doctor to see him? - Witness: No, he thought he would be able to get on all right. I desired him to do so. Witness added that at about 7 o'clock on Wednesday morning he took a cup of beef tea up to the deceased. - The Coroner: Was he in bed then? - Witness: Yes, his breathing was rather difficult, and I told him I should fetch a doctor as soon as I could. Witness proceeded that some little time later his niece told him that deceased was worse and he went for the doctor immediately. - The Coroner: What time was that? - Witness: About 9 o'clock. - The Coroner: Was your brother dead when you got back? - Witness: I am not sure about that. I thought he was going off to sleep. He was dead before the doctor arrived. - Dr Langridge said he was called to see the deceased on Wednesday morning and got to the house about 9.45 a.m. The man was then dead. He had not attended deceased professionally. Witness said he had made a post-mortem examination of the body, and he gave the results of that examination. He said many of the organs of the body were in a very bad condition. In his opinion, the immediate cause of death was thrombosis of the pulmonary artery, following pneumonia. Witness said he could have done nothing for him if he had seen him before he died. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the doctor's evidence.

BRAUNTON - The deepest sympathy is felt for CAPT. and MRS W. CHICHESTER and family in the loss they have sustained by the death of their oldest son, MR ARTHUR CHICHESTER. MR CHICHESTER held the post of third officer on a steamer which was bound from America to France. The ship had been overdue for some time and the shipping company, from information it had received, in a communication to the parents said the ship had sunk and that none of the crew had been since seen. On Friday, however, CAPT. CHICHESTER was informed that the ship had been torpedoed and that his son's body was washed up. The deceased was identified by his registration certificate and papers in his pocket book. After an Inquest the body was buried. Deceased, who was 22 years of age, was of a cheerful disposition and he was held in high esteem, and by his regretted death a promising career has been cut short.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 10 May 1917
FILLEIGH - Filleigh Farmer's Tragic End. - Between 10 and 11 o'clock on Tuesday last week the body of JOHN HOLMAN, farmer, of Park, Filleigh, was found hanging by a rope in a shed on Park Farm. The discovery was made by John Woollacott, rabbit trapper of West Buckland, who summoned Mr Coombes, Stationmaster at Filleigh. Mr Coombes applied artificial respiration for a considerable time, but without result. The body was removed to the deceased's home by P.C. Harris (East Buckland). - At the Inquest, held at Park Farm, Filleigh, on Thursday, by Dr Ellis Pearson (Deputy Coroner), deceased's brother, JAMES HOLMAN, gave evidence of identification, and said he knew of nothing whatever which might have led the deceased to commit the act. The Jury, of which Mr F. Garland was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity," and expressed sympathy with the relatives, the family being well known and highly respected in the district.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 17 May 1917
ILFRACOMBE. - Sudden Death At Ilfracombe. - Dr Ellis Pearson held an inquest at the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital, Ilfracombe, on Monday, on the body of MRS ANN ACKLAND, who died suddenly on Sunday morning. - JAMES ACKLAND, husband, said deceased was 66 years of age and had had good health until about two months ago, when she had a fall and complained of pains in the side. On Saturday last she was quite well and also on Sunday morning, when he saw her at 7.45. She said she had had a good night. Just afterwards he heard a noise in her room, and went in and found she had been very sick and was groaning. He spoke to her and she could not answer and he called a neighbour and went for a doctor, but she died before he arrived. - Dr Osborne said he had made a post mortem examination, and found a large haemorrhage on the right side of the brain. Death was due to cerebral haemorrhage. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 31 May 1917
CHERITON FITZPAINE - Child's Fatal Fall In Push-Chair. - At the Inquest held at Marsbay Farm, Cheriton Fitzpaine, on Thursday on KATHLEEN AYRE, aged 1 year 9 months, her mother said on Tuesday she left the child in the care of the servant while away at Tiverton. The baby used to be left in a pushchair out of doors, but that had not been done for months as it was thought dangerous, the chair having toppled over. She had warned the servant many times not to use the chair. On returning she found her child dead. - May Bowden, servant, said she left the baby in the meadow and fastened her with a piece of cord. Returning to the meadow in ten minutes she found the chair had tipped over with the child, who was crying. She took her indoors. The baby then took things from the cupboard and crawled along the floor, playing with them for some time. - Dr David Vickery said death was probably due to shock, produced by the sudden bruising of the abdomen, caused by the cord. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 7 June 1917
EAST WORLINGTON - The District Coroner, Mr Henry W. Gould, held an Inquest at East Worlington on Thursday afternoon relative to the death of MARY MARIA SMYTH, spinster, aged 55, who lived with her brother, MR HARRY SMYTH, of Town Farm. Evidence was given by the last named to the effect that at 3 a.m. on Wednesday he heard that deceased was in pain. With his house-keeper he went to her, but she desired to be left alone. A short time after witness was called by his house-keeper, and he found the deceased on the floor in an unconscious condition. She died almost immediately. - Dr A. H. Brown, of Witheridge, attributed death to apoplexy. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 14 June 1917
BARNSTAPLE - Elderly Woman's Death At Barnstaple. Smallest Coroner's Jury for 1,000 Years. - MRS MARY ANN STANBURY, widow of JOHN STANBURY, thatcher, formerly of Bratton Fleming, who fractured her thigh as the result of slipping down in her bedroom, at 7 Fort-street, Barnstaple, on January 4th last, passed away on Wednesday morning, at the age of 89 years. - At the Inquest on Thursday evening the Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, recalled that Juries previously summoned by him numbered twelve or more, but under the powers conferred by the Coroner's Emergency Provisions Act, 1917, which said that seven or eleven should e substituted for twelve or twenty-three, he had only called seven Jurymen together on this occasion. He might say that that was the first time in Barnstaple that so few men as seven had been upon a Coroner's Jury for at least one thousand years - and probably a good many more years than that, because the Coroner's office was a most ancient one. The office was, he believed, instituted by the Anglo-Saxons and they had evidence to show that there were King's Coroners in the time of Alfred the Great. He went on to refer to the immediate circumstances which had called the Jury together and said he thought it was marvellous that MRS STANBURY, who was 89 years of age, should have lived so long after the accident. He was sure that death would have occurred sooner had she not received the best of attention both from her daughter and the doctor. - MISS MARTHA STANBURY stated that her mother, the deceased, showed signs of being enfeebled by age prior to January 4th. On that date, about seven a.m., witness was working in the kitchen, when she heard her mother scream from her bedroom and on going up found her mother lying on the floor. Witness at once got her into bed as soon as possible and sent for Dr W. J. Harper, who discovered that she had broken her thigh. Her mother told her that she had slipped down in the bedroom. Witness had nursed her mother, who had been in bed ever since, very carefully, and she passed away about 7.30 the previous morning. - Dr W. J. Harper spoke to attending MRS STANBURY for bronchial trouble a few weeks before the accident. She was then suffering from old age and on being sent for on January 4th witness found that she had fractured her right femur. Witness had attended her ever since and his instructions, with regard to her weak state, had been properly carried out. Having regard to her weak state witness was surprised that MRS STANBURY had lived so long after the accident. It was extremely rare that old people recovered after breaking the bones of their leg. - The Jury, of which Mr D. Moxham was Foreman, returned a verdict that death was due to Debility from senile decay, accelerated by the accident.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 21 June 1917
HARTLAND - Suicide At Hartland. - At Hartland on Wednesday an Inquest was held on WILLIAM JOHN JEFFERY, a carpenter. - Mrs Rose Emma Colwill, of Newport, Mon., sister, deposed that she had not seen JEFFERY since March 1916, but he enjoyed good health. She knew no reason r trouble to cause him to take his life. - Edwin Short stated that he knew JEFFERY quite well. They were talking over the "T" plot hedge on Monday evening about 7 o'clock. JEFFERY seemed just as usual. Witness did not see any gun about. JEFFERY asked him to call and "tell Tom Beer and Bill Short to come up and see me." Witness said, "Why, what's the matter?" "Nothing," was the reply. - Thomas beer (brother-in-law) spoke to finding the body. He had the message from Mr Short about seven. After tea he went up and found the carp (produced). When he touched it with his toe he saw a note pencilled on a piece torn from an account book. This was read by the Coroner as follows: - "Dear Bill, - Get me indoors as soon as you can, as there will be a crowd about. Be careful about mother. Turn over." - On the other side was written: "Good-bye; God bless and comfort you, mother. What I leave behind is yours. - Your broken-down son, WILL." - Mr Beer, continuing, said he found the body only a few yards away in the hedge. - Dr Rd. Kay stated that when he saw deceased blood was oozing from a wound in the mouth and there was a larger wound four or five inches across at the back of the head. In his opinion deceased put the muzzle into his mouth and pushed the trigger with the stick. Death would be instantaneous. - P.C. Alfred Wonnacott gave evidence, and the Jury returned a verdict that JEFFERY took his life by shooting himself.

ILFRACOMBE - Little Belgian Girl's Fatal Fall On Capstone Hill. - An accident which resulted fatally befell a little Belgian girl named SERAPHINE WIJENBERG at Ilfracombe on Thursday evening. She had been to school in the afternoon and about 5.30 was with some companions on the Capstone Hill gathering daisies. She was near the edge of the cliff on the eastern side of the hill when she slipped and fell over to the Parade below, a distance of about 20ft. She was very seriously injured about the head and was rendered quite unconscious. - A lady visitor, who happened to be near, telephoned for a doctor, and in a short time Mr T. Edwards and the Police were on the scene. - Drs. Osborne and Langridge also quickly arrived and rendered all the aid possible, Dr Osborne kindly conveying the poor little child to the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital in his motor-car. She died on Friday morning. - The girl was a motherless child, her father, it is understood, being at present in Brussels. She had been in charge of Mdlle de Cocks at Ilfracombe, living at Mr Edwards' Boarding House, St James'-place. - The Inquest was held at the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital on Saturday afternoon by the Deputy Coroner, Dr Ellis Pearson, and a Jury of which Mr H. J. Macey was chosen Foreman. - For the first time at Ilfracombe, under the new Act, the Jury comprised seven members only. - The first witness was Mon. Frans DeVylder, a Belgian schoolmaster. He simply stated that deceased child, who attended his school, had no relatives in Ilfracombe. - A little Belgian girl named Bertha Dyl, said she was on the Capstone Hill with deceased on Thursday evening gathering flowers. They were near the edge of the cliff. SERAPHINE VAN WIJENBERG turned round and said, "See how many flowers I have got!" when she slipped and fell. Witness did not see her afterwards. - Dr Osborne said he was called about 5.30 p.m. on Thursday to the Capstone Parade. He found deceased girl lying on the Parade with blood pouring from her head and left ear. She was quite unconscious and was immediately removed to the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital. She passed away on Friday night, without having regained consciousness. In his opinion death was due to fracture of the base of the skull and concussion of the brain, caused by the fall over the cliff. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - Mr J. Irwin (a Juryman), who is a member of the Devon and Cornwall War Refugee Committee, and treasurer to the local Belgian Colony, said he understood the deceased's child's mother was dead and her father was living somewhere in Belgium. She had been in charge of a Belgian lady (Mdlle. De Cocks) at Ilfracombe. This lady had kept a "home" in Brussels before the war. Having obtained permission from the German Government she went to Brussels last April and brought the child to Ilfracombe.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 28 June 1917
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of Accidental Death was returned at an Inquest at Plymouth on Monday on Flight Sub-Lieut. H. L. COWE, R.N.A.S., who was fatally injured through a seaplane nose diving from a height of 1,000 feet.

ALVERDISCOTT - A sad cycling fatality, by which RICHARD TAYLOR, 21, only son of MR and MRS EDWARD TAYLOR, of Webbery Barton, Alverdiscott, lost his life, was Inquired into on Monday by Dr Ellis Parson, Deputy Coroner, and a Jury of seven, of which Mr John Lyle, of Alverdiscott Barton, was Foreman. - George Ford, 17, of Parsonage Farm, Newton Tracey, said that last Wednesday night he attended service at Alverdiscott Chapel, and afterwards went to Webbery with MISS TAYLOR, deceased's sister, deceased going to Parsonage Farm with his (Ford's) sister. Just before 10 o'clock witness left Webbery to cycle home and when close to Barbridge, near the bottom of Newton Tracey hill, he saw TAYLOR cycling up the hill. TAYLOR was on his wrong side, apparently turned his bicycle to go to his proper side and they collided. Both were knocked off their machines. Witness was stunned, but recovered in about a quarter of an hour and found TAYLOR lying unconscious across his cycle. Witness went to Parsonage Farm, only about a hundred yards away, and called his brother, who with his father removed deceased to the farm. - Alfred Ford said he afterwards went to Bideford and called Dr Toye, who arrived about 3 a.m. - Dr E. J. Toye spoke to finding TAYLOR still unconscious and suffering from a fractured skull. He was subsequently removed to his home in the Bideford Hospital ambulance and received every attention. In consultation with Dr Grose, witness decided that nothing further could be done for him. It was a very serious case from the beginning. On Saturday meningitis set in and the young man died from that, following the fractured skull, at 1.20 on Sunday. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," adding that they wished to state that they exonerated young Ford from any blame whatever. The Jury also expressed their sympathy with the deceased's parents in their sad bereavement, all standing. The TAYLORS also lost their only other son as the result of an accident some years ago.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 12 July 1917
SWIMBRIDGE - Fatal Accident To A Child At Swymbridge. Inquest And Funeral. - The Inquest on the body of ALFRED G. TUCKER, aged one year and nine months, son of MR WM. TUCKER, carpenter, of Swymbridge Newland (who, as reported in our last issue, succumbed to scalds on July 4th) was held at the father's residence on Thursday last by Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner for North Devon. The Jury was comprised of Messrs. Symons, Gratton, Webber, Barrow and Hammett, the Foreman being Mr G. Gammon. - The evidence was that about 10 o'clock on Sunday morning the child ran into a room adjoining the kitchen in which there was a pan of milk which had been recently scalded. MR TUCKER almost immediately heard cries, and hurried into the room to find the child crawling along after having apparently fallen into the milk. Dr Cooper, of Barnstaple, was summoned and everything possible was done. - A verdict of "Accidental Death, following Extensive Burns" was returned in accordance with the medical evidence. - The funeral of the deceased child took place on Sunday at the Wesleyan Burial Ground, Mr E. S. Slack officiating. The children of the Sunday School sang, in the Chapel, the hymn "I know there's a crown," whilst at the graveside they sang "Around the throne of God in Heaven." The mourners were MR and MRS W. TUCKER (mother and father), WILLIE, FLOSSIE, NELLIE and KATE TUCKER (brother and sisters), Mr and Mrs G. Lock (grandfather and grandmother), Mrs E. Lock (grandmother), Miss A. Lock (aunt), Mr H. J. Lock (uncle), Mr and Mrs T. Lock (uncle and aunt), Misses L., B., M., and E., Lock (aunts), Mr T. Southcombe (uncle), Miss Lorna Turner (friend). The coffin was cased in white enamel and was borne by the Misses Ethel Sexon, Hilda Hoad, Amy Harris, Katie Thomas and Lizzie Mock, who were attired in white. Choice floral wreaths were sent;- In ever loving memory of our darling baby, from his sorrowing mammy and daddy; In ever loving memory of our darling GEORGIE, from grandma and grandad; In ever loving memory of our darling GEORGIE, from grandma and auntie; In ever loving memory of our little brother, from Willie, Florrie, Nellie and Katie (brother and sisters); With best love, from Uncle Tom and Aunt Florrie; In loving memory of dear little GEORGIE, from Auntie Lou; With all our love, from Auntie, Annie, Bertha, Maud and Ethel; With love and sympathy from Mrs and Miss Lorna Turner; With love and sympathy, from Mrs Thomas, Katie and Joan; With love and sympathy, from Mr and Mrs A. Symons; With Love, from Mrs and Miss Gould; and with our very best love from Mr and Mrs R. Harris.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 19 July 1917
PORT TALBOT, WALES - Fatal Accident To MR ROBERT PICKETT. - We greatly regret to record the death by accident, on Thursday morning last, of MR ROBERT PICKETT, builder, late of Ilfracombe. A few weeks since MR PICKETT went to Port Talbot to superintend important work carried out there by Messrs. Welman, Seavers, Head and Co., furnace builders, of London. On Thursday morning he was run over by a railway truck during some shunting operation and died in an hour, not having recovered consciousness. - MR PICKETT was 62 years of age and was born at 19 Broad-street, Ilfracombe. He learnt the business of a carpenter with the late Mr Tom Popham, at the yard in Ropery-road and started in business in 1881 with the late Mr George Britten, the firm being Britten and Pickett. Mr Britten died in 1893 but his widow continued the partnership for 10 years longer. The firm made a good reputation, continued by MR PICKETT, for excellence of work and carried out together and singly a large number of important building works in the town and neighbourhood. Among them were the Runnacleave Hall and shops adjoining the Victoria Pavilion, the New Wesleyan Churches at Ilfracombe, Chambercombe and Morte-Hoe, St Peter's Church, Church at Lundy Island, Congregational Church, Hele; block of houses, Capstone Crescent, St James' Boarding House and houses adjoining, Rechabite Hall (of which he was a Trustee), the Promenade Gaiety Hall, the Cliffe Hydro (rebuilding and enlarging the older house on the site), a new wing to the Collingwood, the Higher Council School, the New Market Hall, several houses on the Quay and in Station-road, besides renovating and improving Fox Fowler's Bank, Mr S. W. Day's High-street shop, the old Post-office (now Stephens and Son's music warehouse), Mr J. H. Smith's shop, Clock Tower Buildings, the Dorothy Cafe, Mr J. Southcombe's premises in High-street, the liberal Club, also building a number of new houses in various parts of the town, including "Airdrie" for Rev. J. Popham, "Westaway" for Mr C. E. Dew, as well as bungalows at Appledore and the adapting of the Hermitage House, Ilfracombe, to school purposes. MR PICKETT also did a good deal of work at the Pier and Harbour, under the Weld Trustees and rebuilt a section of the Parade when severely damaged by storm a few years ago. He has erected his own worthy monument in the shape of many buildings, "Well and faithfully done," both as to beauty and usefulness. - From early childhood he was connected with the Wesleyan Church, going through the school as scholar, teacher and Superintendent. He had been for many years an earnest local preacher, and had filled the offices of Poors' Steward, Society Steward and Circuit Steward with ability and credit. He was for a number of years Treasurer of the Foreign Mission Fund. His practical advice on matters connected with the fabric of the Churches (being Trustee of most of those in the Ilfracombe Circuit) was greatly valued by the ministers and his colleagues. He took a great interest in educational matters, and for a number of years was one of the managers of the Council Schools. In politics he was an ardent Liberal. Temperance work was very congenial to him and he was for some time the President of the Wesleyan Band of Hope. He has left behind him the memory of an upright man, who "served his generation" with diligence and skill in the ways of business. - In 1887 MR PICKETT married MISS E. NORMAN, of Hele and seven sons and three daughters were born to them. Two sons and ne daughter have died and MRS PICKETT passed away on June 24th 1914. - An Inquest was held at Port Talbot on Saturday morning and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - MR FRANK PICKETT, second son of the deceased, was present and the body was brought to Ilfracombe the same day, arriving by the 8.2 p.m. train. - The funeral took place on Tuesday and was largely attended. A service was held at the Wesleyan Church at 2.30 p.m., conducted by the Rev. E. J. Brailsford, the late Supt. of the Circuit. The members of the family present were Messrs. FRANK and EDWARD PICKETT (sons), Mrs Latham and Miss Lizzie Pickett (daughters), Misses S. and H. Pickett (sisters), Pte, G. Latham (son-in-law), and Mr F. Norman.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 26 July 1917
ALWINGTON - Death In The Harvest Field. Inquest at Alwington. - Dr Ellis Pearson and a Jury of seven, of which Mr George Lee, of Winscott Farm, was Foreman, held an Inquest at Woodtown, Alwington, near Bideford, on Monday, on the body of JOHN BEER, 60, a farm labourer, of Woodtown, who died in the harvest field on Saturday evening. Reuben Ayre said he was working with deceased, who was on a cart, while witness threw the hay up to him. He made no complaint, but while waiting for witness to toss some more hay up to him he slid of the cart sideways on to the ground, and when witness picked him up he was dead. Dr E. Toye said he had attended deceased almost continuously for five years for bronchitis, asthma and weak heart. He was certainly dead before he fell. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes," and gave their fees to the widow, with whom they expressed their sympathy.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 2 August 1917
SANDFORD - At an Inquest on Monday on CHARLIE DREW, 13, Withywing Cottage, Sandford, evidence showed that he was playing near the river with another boy when he fell. His playmate held out a stick, but DREW could not reach it. The playmate then ran for help and Charles Matthews, farm labourer, recovered the body with a rake, but all efforts to restore animation failed. A verdict of "Death by Misadventure" was returned.

BIDEFORD - Bideford Fatality. Child Killed On Railway. - While the night mail train was running into Bideford Station on Monday night, an eleven-year-old girl, daughter of M. DENYS, a Belgian living at Gas Works Cottages, East-the-Water, and employed at the Government Works, trespassed on the line while at play and got in the way of the locomotive. She was knocked down and whirled along, sustaining terrible injuries. Her scalp was badly torn, skull fractured, one leg received a compound fracture and some ribs were smashed. The child was at once conveyed to Bideford Hospital, where medical aid was quickly forthcoming, but it was a hopeless case from the first and she succumbed to her injuries late the same night. - At the Inquest last night the evidence showed that the child had trespassed on the line and was at play there. She tried to get out of the way of the train, but just failed to do so. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." There was some suggestion of more affectively fencing the line, but the Coroner did not think the Railway Company could do more than they did already. - Mr Street, Stationmaster, said when the children were ordered off one moment they came again the next. - Mr A. F. Seldon expressed the regret of the Railway Company that the accident should have happened and the Mayor (Mr S. R. Chope) said how sorry he was such an end should have befallen one of the Belgian refugees.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 16 August 1917
GREAT TORRINGTON - Child Drowned At Torrington. - Dr Ellis Pearson on Thursday held an Inquest at the Buckingham Arms, Taddiport, Torrington, on the body of GEORGE EDWIN HULLAND, five years of age, who was drowned in the Torridge on Tuesday afternoon. The deceased, with two other children, was playing on the parapet of Taddiport Bridge, when he fell into the water nineteen feet below and a depth of six feet. Mr H. W. Barnes, a visitor from London, hearing of the occurrence, went into the river and, recovering the body, brought it ashore and he and a soldier did their utmost to restore life. Efforts at resuscitation were also made by the wife of P.C. Mills and by P.C. Rundle, but without avail. Dr Morse was called, but he could only pronounce life extinct. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and thanked Mr Barnes for so pluckily trying to save the child's life.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 30 August 1917
LYNTON - The Cliff Tragedy At Lynton. Suicide Of A Lady Visitor. - Dr Parson (Deputy Coroner for North Devon) on Wednesday evening held an Inquiry into the death at Lynton Cottage Hospital of MRS MAY DITTON, the London visitor, who threw herself over the cliffs at the North Walk on August 11th, and who succumbed to her injuries on August 29th. - Mr W. Pulkinghorne was Foreman of the Jury, which consisted for the first time in Lynton of seven men. - MR J. W. HUNT, the father, deposed that his daughter was 31 years of age, and was the widow of a Norwegian known to him as BARON VON DITTON. She was of independent means, had no permanent home, but her last known address was Curzon Hotel, Curzon Square, London. She came to Lynton to get well, being accompanied by Mrs Reed, a friend. Three weeks ago he saw her in a nursing home in London, but he last saw her alive at Lynton on Monday the 20th. She was not in good general health, but was not mentally afflicted, nor was she at all likely to take her own life. She suffered from an internal complaint. She had given him no explanation of the occurrence. - Mrs Georgina Reed said she had known deceased for ten years. They arrived at Lynton on August 3rd. MRS DITTON was not strong and was often very depressed, and had no energy. She slept but very little. She often said she was very unhappy and wished she were dead. In the train she had said she would like to jump out. She called in Dr Greenwood and he administered a sleeping draught. On the morning of the 11th, she breakfasted alone at 8.45, and MRS DITTON came into the room at 9.30 to go out for a walk accompanied by another friend, Mrs MacPhael, to whom she (Mrs Reed) had telegraphed, and who had arrived the night before. MRS DITTON and Mrs MacPhael went to the North Walk, while she went in another direction, intending to meet them later on. In answer to questions she said she did not consider deceased was mentally afflicted and certainly not likely to take her own life. - Mrs MacPhael, the next witness, who was much affected, deposed that she received a letter from the previous witness and later a wire. In the former Mrs Reed said she was in a great worry about MAY. She was most morbid, "talks about suicide, and has wrong ideas of death." "I cannot be responsible for her. It is very serious - come down." The wire said "Am dreadfully worried about MAY, come." She arrived at Lynton on the 10th. The deceased had the draught at 10 and slept till 2. She was in a great hurry to get up and could get no more sleep. They left the Valley of Rocks Hotel, the deceased walking quickly, at 9.35, and proceeded to the North Walk. At the entrance she kept saying "Someone is following me." A little distance out she called my attention to some high rocks. Then she walked as if to sit down behind me. I looked around, saw her draw her skirts around her and she threw herself over the edge of the walk. I shall never forget the look she gave me as she did so. "It did not strike me as an accident." In reply to questions Mrs MacPhael said her dead friend had had a shock some time ago and had not been well since. She had told her never to be surprised if she took her own life - had in fact often spoke of doing so. - Dr Greenwood deposed to attending MRS DITTON. He found her very depressed and wearing a very vacant look. She complained of great pain in the head. She died from the result of the injuries to the spine and system. - Mr W. Crook, in the employ of Sir Thomas Hewitt, described how he found the deceased, and how she was rescued, as already mentioned in the Press. The verdict was "Suicide while Temporarily Insane." The Jury, through the Foreman, warmly complimented Mrs MacPhael for giving her evidence so clearly.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 13 September 1917
SOUTH MOLTON - Child Accidentally Drowned At Southmolton. - Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Southmolton on Saturday concerning the death of DORIS PAUL, the two-year-old daughter of MR FREDERICK PAUL, whose body was found in the river Mole on the previous day. Mr E. A. Sanders (East-street) was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - The father said he last saw the child alive at 2 p.m. on Friday. Her mother went to help a neighbour, leaving the child in the care of a sister, thirteen years of age. It appeared that about 5 o'clock a little boy of four, who was also in the house, wanted to go out and DORIS accompanied him. The river ran along in front of the cottages, and the children were accustomed to play about near the banks, picking blackberries and so on. - John H. Metters said that ten minutes after 5 he heard that the child was missing. He searched the water down-stream, and found her about 400 yards from where it was supposed she fell in. She was on an "island," but was being washed by the stream. She appeared to be dead. With the assistance of James Brayley he applied artificial respiration until the arrival of Dr Seal. The child had been carried beneath a fender, which might have accounted for a mark on the face. - Dr Seal, Southmolton, said he saw the child at twenty to six. He went across the fields and met the witness Metters, who was carrying the body in his arms. Artificial respiration was tried but without avail. - The Coroner: Were there any marks? - I large bruise on the back of the head, and an abrasion on the nose. - The Coroner: Could this be account for by the body passing through the weir? - Yes. - Mr Thos. E. Hopewell, a Juror, thought that the mark on the nose was of prior date. - Dr Seal stated that the cause of death was asphyxia through drowning. - EMILY PAUL, 13, said she was left in charge of the child on Friday. About 5 o'clock she let her go out with her brother. - The Coroner: Did you think it all right to let them go? - Yes, sir; I told them not to go near the water. Proceeding, witness said that shortly after she went out to see after the child and was told by another girl that she was at her house swinging. Her little brother came up and said that DORIS was in the water. Witness looked about but could not find her. She did not go to find out if she was at a neighbour's swinging because she believed that she was there. - About half-past five she heard that a little boy named Basil Punchard had been taken out of the water. Then she went to Mrs Punchard's home to enquire for DORIS. She was not there. Witness went along by the river in search of her. - Charles Moore, carman, said that about 5.30 he heard children screaming and supposing that something was wrong, he jumped off his waggon and ran down to the Mole. He saw a youngster floating down stream a foot under water. It was a boy named Punchard. Witness got him out and rendered first aid. The boy recovered. - The Coroner: Did the children say anything about anyone else? - No, sir; I wish they had, because, of course, I should have done my best to rescue her. - The Coroner: It is probably due to your prompt action that we are not holding two inquests instead of one. Thank you; I think you saved your charge all right. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death due to Drowning." - It was decided to suggest to the owner the removal of a bush overhanging the river in front of the cottages, around which children were in the habit of playing. - Mr Hopewell remarked that there were nineteen children living in the cottages opposite the water and there was evidence that they played about on the shrub. - The Foreman said he thought the children fell off the shrub and not from the river bank. - The Jury expressed their sympathy with the family, and gave back their fees. Dr Seal also handed his fees to the family. - The Jury warmly endorsed the Coroner's remarks as to the prompt action of Charles Moore, which saved the life of the boy Punchard.

LAPFORD - Soldier Killed At Lapford. - An Inquest was held by Mr H. W. Gould, coroner, at Lapford, on Thursday, on Lance-Cpl. DAVID HENDERSON, aged 41, Southern Command Labour Centre, whose home is at Clapham. HENDERSON was engaged on the previous day at Lapford Railway station assisting in the loading of coal from railway trucks to a waggon. He was standing with the reins in his hands between the waggon and the trucks, when the horses moved and he was crushed between the two vehicles, his skull being fractured. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 20 September 1917
ILFRACOMBE - Fatal Accident At Kentisbury. Death Of MR M. MANNING, of Woolacombe. - MR MOSES MANNING, motor car proprietor, of Woolacombe, received fatal injuries in a motor accident at Seven Ash, Kentisbury, on Thursday, as he was driving from Woolacombe to Lynton. After the accident MR MANNING was conveyed to the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital, Ilfracombe, where he expired the same day. The deceased, who was a native of High Bickington, had carried on business several years at Woolacombe, where he was held in high esteem. - The Inquest was held at Ilfracombe, on Saturday before Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner for North Devon. - James Trebble, brother-in-law of deceased, said deceased was 47 years of age. He last saw him alive on Thursday morning. Deceased was accustomed to driving a car, as he had been driving about seven or eight years. - Thomas John Harraway said that on Thursday last Capt. Wilkinson hired deceased's car and invited him and his wife for a ride. They were going to Lynton, and in the road he saw a horse and cart coming and witness called out, and had no further recollection of what happened. It was a fairly narrow road with fairly high banks. They were going round a bend when he saw the cart coming down. He didn't know if the horse was trotting or not, as it was all so sudden. Witness was sitting next to deceased. They travelled all the morning at a reasonable rate. Deceased appeared to him to be a very capable driver. When the accident happened for a minute or two he was dazed, and then he heard his wife say "Get MANNING out, he is bad," and he then assisted him out and left Wilkinson attending to him, and went to get some water. Several vehicles came along when he returned, and then Captain and Mrs Taylor came along and kindly offered to place their car at his disposal, and MANNING was then removed in the car to the Ilfracombe Hospital. He asked the driver of the horse and cart for his name and he refused until a Mr Bowden came along. He didn't know for certain what struck MANNING, but he assumed it was the shaft. - Ernest Latham said he was driving a horse and cart on Thursday last, and was going along Long Lane. Witness was in the cart and the horse was walking. He was on his proper side of the road. When he met the motor he was coming round the corner, where the road is not very wide. He didn't hear the motor coming, neither did he hear a hooter, but as he was coming round the corner the motor ran right into him. The motor was in the middle of the road and was going very fast. He didn't remember a gentleman asking him his name. He was too frightened for that. The right shaft of the cart was broken off. - In answer to the Jury, witness said there was plenty of room for his car and the motor to pass. - John Bowden said that after the accident he measured the road where the accident occurred. The off-wheel mark of the car to the hedge was 5ft. and from that wheel mark to the other hedge was 9 ft. The last witness was working for him that day. He was a very reliable driver. - Thos. Russell said that on Thursday last he was driving to Lynton, and when at Seven Ash Corner he saw a motor in the road and saw MANNING in the road with an officer attending to him. When the car went around the corner he saw by the marks in the road that the car was about 2ft. 6in. from the off side of the hedge and it had stopped after the accident in the middle of the road. - The last witness was Dr Osborne, who said he was called to the Hospital to see the deceased at a quarter to one on Thursday. Deceased, who was conscious, was extremely pale (having evidently lost a great deal of blood), and was groaning with pain. He died about 3 o'clock. In his opinion the cause of death was internal abdominal injuries. There was a mark on the side of the abdomen corresponding to the end of the shaft. There was no injury to the ribs. - The Coroner thought the verdict of the Jury should be one of accidental death, without attaching negligence to either party. - The Jury eventually agreed to the suggestion of the Coroner, viz., that deceased met his death Accidentally, and that there was no negligence. The Jury gave their fees to the Hospital.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 27 September 1917
LITTLE TORRINGTON - Fatal Gun Accident Near Torrington. - A fatal gun accident happened at Little Torrington on Monday morning, MR JAMES W. S. A. GREEN, aged 67, farmer and dairyman, of Coxshelly Farm, started from home with the intention of shooting rabbits on his farm. Whilst he was in the granary the gun went off, the charge entering the left side of the face. MRS GREEN, hearing the report went in the granary, where she found her husband lying and suffering from terrible injuries. She called Mr Darch, of Town Mills, who went for a doctor. Dr Surgess came immediately, but found it was a hopeless case, MR GREEN succumbing to the injuries two hours after the accident. The deceased was much respected in the district and much sympathy is expressed with the family (a son and two daughters). - The Inquest was held yesterday at Coxshelly Farm before Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner for North Devon. Mr J. D. Copp was Foreman of the Jury. - MRS GREEN, the widow, deposed that her husband was in his usual good health on Sunday. On Monday he rose at 6.30 a.m., saying he was going to get a rabbit, and shortly afterwards witness heard the report of a gun. Witness came downstairs and opening the door, saw her husband lying on the floor of the granary immediately opposite. Having first gone to her husband, witness went for Mr Darch, of Town Mills, who accompanied her back to the spot. Mr Darch then went for medical aid, and witness assisted her husband indoors and got him to bed. He never spoke after the occurrence. Her husband had had nothing to worry him and she had had no reason to suppose that he would take his life. He had not been depressed; on the contrary, he was most cheerful the day previously. The gun was kept in various places and sometimes it was put in the granary. Did not know that it was ever put away loaded. - Dr Sturgess, locum tenens for Dr Watkins at Torrington, deposed that when he arrived at 7.45 a.m., MR GREEN was slightly conscious, but could not speak and was incapable of indicating how the gun went off. The greater part of the left side of the face, including the lower jaw, had been carried away. He did not think the injury could have been purposely inflicted; it could not have been caused by the gun being placed in the mouth. Death was due to shock and loss of blood following the injuries. - Mr Albert Darch and P.S. Bromell were also called. The last named witness said one barrel of the gun had been discharged and the other was loaded and fully cocked. Witness found nothing to throw any light on the occurrence. - The Coroner thought the weapon might have caught in something and gone off, and in accordance with his recommendation, the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

HARTLAND - An Inquest was opened at Hartland on Monday on the body of a sailor washed ashore at Milford Cliff. The pockets contained a registration card marked "ARTHUR BENJAMIN PANES, ship's officer, 34 British India Steam Navigation Co., Leadenhall-street, E.C." Also visiting cards with the name "ARTHUR B. PANES," and an envelope addressed to Imperial Merchant Service Guide containing a form dated June, 1917, signed "A. B. PANES," giving his birthplace as Blagdon, Somerset and home address as "Rectory , Torver, near Coniston, Lancashire." The Inquiry was adjourned until last evening. - The body washed ashore at Milford Cliffs. Hartland, on Sunday, was at the resumed Inquest last evening identified by REV. JOHN PANES, of Torver, Corniston, as that of his son, who was second officer on the s.s. "Malda". A verdict of "Found Dead" was returned. An additionally sad feature is that the bereaved father has recently lost another son in France.

BARNSTAPLE - Georgeham Woman's Death At Barnstaple. - MISS MARY ANN BENHAM, aged ninety, passed away at 19 Alexandra-road, Barnstaple, on Sunday night, as the result of an accident which occurred at Georgeham on the 7th inst. - At the Inquest before Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, Borough Coroner, on Tuesday evening, Mrs Annie Gammon stated that MISS BENHAM had lived alone at Rock Hill, witness looking after her by day. About 8 p.m. on the 7th inst. witness found the old lady in a sitting position outside the front door, and with assistance took her indoors. In answer to a question, MISS BENHAM said she had not hurt herself, but it was thought necessary to put her to bed. Dr Wright, of Braunton, was sent for on the 10th instant, and finding MISS BENHAM suffering from a broken thigh, he ordered her removal to Barnstaple, where, as stated, she died on Sunday. - The Jury returned a verdict of Death from Shock, as the result of the Accident.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 4 October 1917
LYNTON - Death of MR R. WILLOUGHBY At Lynton. Inquest And Funeral. - Last week we recorded the sudden death at Lynton of MR ROBERT WILLOUGHBY, who for many years carried on business in Queen-street, Barnstaple. An Inquest was held on Thursday by Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner for North Devon. - Mr C. T. Pratt was Foreman of the Jury. - MRS H. P. WOODCOCK (daughter of the deceased) deposed that her father, who was 77 years of age, was rather poorly on Sunday. On Monday he had his dinner and afterwards went into the lavatory. She soon heard a fall. Rushing to the lavatory she found her father lying on his face breathing hard and unconscious. She sent for Dr Edwards and also Nurse Shubrook, of the Hospital, who both came promptly. - Dr H. J. Edwards stated that he found deceased had just died in the lavatory when he arrived. He made a post mortem examination on Tuesday. He found one chamber of the heart very thin and dilated and a rent in it. This, caused by some straining of the heart, was in his opinion, the cause of death, cardiac syncope due to dilatation of the heart and rupture of the ventricle. - The verdict was in accordance with the medical testimony. - The Jury's fees were given to the Cottage Hospital, and the Jury, through their Foreman, Mr Pratt, expressed their sympathy with the relatives. - The interment took place on Friday at the Lynton Churchyard Extension. The Rev. W. Jordon (Congregational) officiated. The service previously held at the Congregational Church was attended by a large number of mourners and friends. The relatives present were MRS WILLOUGHBY (widow), Mrs H. P. Woodcock (daughter), Mr H. P. Woodcock (son-in-law), Miss Nancy Woodcock (grand-daughter), Mr John Neal (brother-in-law), the Misses Holland (nieces), Mrs Withacombe and Mr Chas. Snow (cousins).

North Devon Journal, Thursday 25 October 1917
SOUTH MOLTON - Farmer's Death At Southmolton. Verdict of "Found Drowned." - On Wednesday Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at the Union Workhouse, Southmolton, concerning the death of MR FREDERICK STONEMAN, 62, farmer, whose body was found in the river Mole over three weeks after his disappearance. - Mr J. Bushen was Foreman of the Jury. MR THOMAS STONEMAN, a brother of the deceased, identified the body. The witness said that he had not seen his brother for about two years. Replying to the Coroner, he said he had no reason to suppose that the deceased would take his life, nor was he aware that he had any worry or anxiety, except that he was nearly blind. - The Foreman: Had he any financial trouble? - Not that I am aware of. - The Coroner: How had he been living? - He had a little property, but not really enough to keep him, I suppose. Two or three years ago he had a banking account, but I have not heard anything concerning it lately. - Did he always do some work? - Yes, he was harvesting this summer. - He never had any assistance from you? - No; we would sooner he had. - The Foreman: He used not to go down to see you? - No, not for 2 ½ years. - You were on brotherly terms? - Oh, yes. - Miss Bessie Adams, Church-street, Southmolton, said that deceased had lodged at her house since last February. She last saw him alive about 9 o'clock in the morning of September 21st. He had breakfast soon after 8, and went out of doors between 9 and 10. Deceased did not say where he was going. He usually went for a walk unless he was at work. A fortnight before he had helped at corn harvest on a farm. - The Coroner: Was he all right when he went to bed on the Thursday night? - Yes; two or three days before he complained of pain in his eye, but he was apparently all right on the Friday morning. Continuing, witness said that as a rule deceased was fairly cheerful. He had never said anything to lead her to suppose that he would take his life. - The Coroner: Do you know whether he was worried? - No. - Did he always pay you all right? - Always. - Witness said she expected MR STONEMAN to come back for dinner at half-past twelve, but he did not return. That was unusual because he was generally punctual. However, as it was a fine day she thought that he might have gone to a farm. She waited till the evening and then, finding from enquiries that he had not visited the farm, she sent a letter to his sister informing her that he was missing; and next morning she gave information to the Police. - The Coroner: Did you go to his room at all? - Yes; he had laid his purse and watch on the table. That was the only thing I saw different from other times. - (Witness identified a watch and purse produced). - Was there anything else? - No. - You did not find this piece of paper? - No. - The paper referred to by the Coroner was a half-sheet of note-paper on which was written in pencil: "I am unable to work." - The Coroner, to witness: Do you recognise the handwriting? - Yes, it is his. - The Foreman: There are rumours that he had gambled? - Witness: I heard of that, but I do not think he has done anything of that kind recently. It was years ago, I think. - The Foreman: You do not know that he spent his money foolishly? - I did not think he was a rich man, but he always paid me. - Was there money in his purse? - A little, 3s. 6d. - Did he owe you anything? - Only for the last week he was there. - Did he board himself? - I boarded him. - MR THOMAS STONEMAN , recalled, was asked by the Foreman if there was any rent owing to the deceased from his property. - My brother will tell you, but I believe that there was a half-year's rent due at Michaelmas. - The Foreman: Then he was not destitute? - Certainly not. - J. H. Metters said that at 5.40 on October 15th he was at work at the Collar Factory when Mrs Punchard informed him that there was a body in the river at a spot where a child recently fell in. It was MR STONEMAN. The body was face downwards, the arms extended and the head caught in a bush on the river bank. There was no coat or waistcoat. - Dr Mortimer, Southmolton, said he examined the body. The clothing consisted of shirt, trousers, vest, pants, boots, stockings, garters and braces; there was neither coat nor waistcoat. The features were not easily recognisable. There were no external marks of violence. - The Coroner: Can you give any idea as to the cause of death? - I think there is no doubt that it was asphyxia due to drowning. Can you say roughly how long the body was in the water? - A good many days; over ten days, I should say. - He was missing on September 21st; would you say he might have been there three weeks? - Yes, I would. - Superintendent Newberry stated that the banks of the river had been searched, but the coat and waistcoat had not been recovered. There had been high water lately, so that it was quite likely that the clothing had been washed down the river. - Mr Tweels, a Juror: Do you think it possible that the coast and waistcoat were torn off by the flood? - No, I do not think so. - Mr Southerton (a Juror) expressed the view that the deceased worried because he had not enough to live on. - The Foreman said he did not regard the pencilled note which had been found as evidence of anything; it might have been written years ago when deceased was, perhaps, in low spirits, and he might have fallen into the river while picking nuts, or something else. - The Coroner having summed up, Miss Adams, recalled, was asked by the Foreman: was that the only time he left his watch and purse behind? - Witness: I never noticed them before. It was the way that they were put on the table that looked peculiar. - The Jury having conferred, the Foreman said: There is no real evidence - although there may be suspicion - of suicide. We therefore think that the verdict should be "Found Drowned in the River Mole." We are all agreed on that.

SOUTH MOLTON - On Thursday Dr Ellis Pearson (Deputy Coroner for North Devon) conducted an Inquest on the body of ALBERT EDWARD BUCKNELL, aged 18 months, whose parents (recently come from Exmoor) reside at 28 West-street. MRS NELLIE BUCKNELL, the mother, said that at 1.30 on Wednesday she left her house to make an inquiry of a neighbour, being absent only a minute. She left her three children (the eldest five years old) in the kitchen. There was a small fire in the range. When she returned the clothes of the little boy, ALBERT, were smouldering. She attended to the boy and sent for the doctor. The child died at 3.30. A guard was kept in the kitchen, but it was one made for a country fire place. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and said they wished to impress upon the parents that they should have a suitable guard made for the fire-place at once. They gave their fees to the parents.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 15 November 1917
BARNSTAPLE - Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at 15 Grenville Avenue, Yeo Vale, Barnstaple, on Monday night, on the body of the infant child of MR and MRS G. HARRIS. Dr Meadon, who made a post-mortem examination, said the organs of the body were perfect, except the hart, of which one of the valves, imperfectly formed, allowed a regurgitation back into the heart. The cause of death was a structural defect of the valve of the aorta resulting in syncope. - A verdict of Death from Natural Causes was returned by the Jury, of which Mr C. McLeod was Foreman.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 22 November 1917
WESTLEIGH - Little Boy Drowned At Barnstaple. Body Found In The River Torridge. - After a lapse of seventeen days, the body of HENRY LEWORTHY, aged four, of Bradiford, Barnstaple, was found in the river Torridge off Westleigh on Friday. The father of the little boy is a soldier on service in Mesopotamia and the mother moved from Umberleigh to Bradiford Cottages rather over a month ago. The boy suddenly disappeared from his home shortly after dinner time on October 30th and from the outset it was feared that he had been drowned in the stream close by, his hat being found near the water's edge. The stream was very swollen at the time, and all efforts by the borough Police and other helpers at locating the body proved futile. When the body was discovered on Friday, MRS LEWORTHY was promptly notified, and she proceeded to Westleigh, and at once identified it as that of her little boy. The spot at which the body was found is about seven miles from Bradiford and in turn it thus passed through Chaddiford Gut into the river Taw and thence into the Torridge. - At the New Inn, Westleigh, on Monday, Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner for North Devon, held an Inquest on the body of HENRY LEWORTHY, the four-year-old son of a soldier's wife residing at Bradiford, Barnstaple, from where the child had been missing for some little time. The mother identified the body as that of her child, whom she last saw alive at 2 p.m. on Monday, October 29th, it being then on the step of her house playing with the handle of the door. Witness was washing the kitchen floor at the time, and missed the child about ten minutes later. She did not see it go away from the doorstep. On discovering the child had gone she immediately ran to the stream which flows near her house to see if he were laying there, but could not find him. She had never seen the child playing by the stream during the three weeks she had been living there. The stream on the day in question was very full of water, there having been a lot of rain, and it was quite deep enough to drown the boy. It was flowing very swiftly. She ran down to the Mills to see if the child could be found there, but they could see nothing of him and then she informed the Police. The search was continued with the assistance of neighbours and the Police, and the stream was raked, but without success. She heard nothing more of the child until its body was discovered on Friday morning. She had three other children, the youngest of whom was 13 years old. - The Foreman (Mr Wm. Joslin) enquired if there were any protection to the stream, witness replying in the negative, adding that she thought a wall ought to be put there, as children cold go down and walk right in. - The Coroner: Unfortunately they can do that with any stream of the river, or the railway line. I am afraid the onus rests n you to see they don't do it. All streams and rivers cannot be fenced in. - John Smale, foreman platelayer on the railway, spoke to finding the body floating in the river Torridge opposite Westleigh Cross on Friday morning and he recovered it. It was somewhat decomposed and on its forehead was a mark which might have been from a blow. - The Coroner did not think there was very much doubt that the child must have wandered away from its mother's house and fallen into the stream. According to the mother's evidence, it was only missing for ten minutes and nothing very much else could have happened to it but that it fell into the stream and was drowned, the body being washed down into the river to where it was found, about seven miles away. He recommended a verdict of "Found Dead" in the River Torridge, in the Westleigh parish, there being no evidence to show how the deceased got into the water. - The Jury agreed, and expressed their sympathy with the relatives. They gave their fees to the mother. - The Foreman thought it was a pity but what a protection of some sort could be placed at the spot where the child fell into the stream, as it seemed to be a rather a dangerous place. - The Coroner thought once they started such a precedent, protection would have to be provided in case of every stream and similar place.

NEWTON ST PETROCK - Farmer's Tragic Death At Newton St. Petrock. - Dr Pearson, Deputy Coroner for North Devon, held an Inquest at Newton St. Petrock on Saturday evening on JOHN SQUIRES, farmer, Bridge Farm, who was found dead from a gunshot wound on Friday morning. Deceased was a widower, aged 36 years and leaves a young family. - The evidence showed that about 8 o'clock on Thursday morning deceased went to see his brother, THOMAS, at Down Farm, and said he was going to a sale at Holsworthy on the Saturday. He arranged that his brother should kill two pigs for him on Saturday and said he was going to a sale on Monday and that he would meet his brother at Bideford Market on the Tuesday. Before leaving deceased said he might as well take his gun, which he had left at his brother's. The gun was given to deceased, and at the time it was empty. Deceased did not do much shooting and had not shot for twelve months. No notice was taken that deceased did not come home to dinner, as he very often had a meal at his brother's house. When deceased did not return in the evening, enquiries were made at his brother's and other farms, but nothing had been seen of him after he left the Down Farm in the morning. Search was made, and the next morning Alfred Slade found deceased beside a hayrick in one of his own fields, with the top of his head blown off. - There was one exploded cartridge in the double-barrelled gun by his side and one cartridge not used in deceased's pocket. There were hurdles which had to be climbed in order that deceased could get to the rick. Deceased, it was stated, had had bad luck with his crops but had been cheerful and had never suggested that he would do anything to himself. No one had any suspicion that deceased would commit suicide. The possibility of the gun having exploded in climbing over the hurdles was pointed out by members of the Jury and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 6 December 1917
ILFRACOMBE - Tragic Death At Ilfracombe. - MISS MARY ANN SHEPPARD, who lived with her brother, at 33 St Brannock's-road, Ilfracombe, passed away under tragic circumstances on Thursday morning. She was at breakfast when she was suddenly seized with a fit of coughing, having, apparently choked herself with the food she was eating. She sank back and gradually became unconscious. Medical aid was at once summoned, but she expired very quickly. The deceased lady was 66 years of age. - An Inquest was held on Friday by Dr Ellis Parson, Deputy Coroner, at the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital. Mr M. W. Tattam was chosen Foreman of the Jury. - MR G. R. SHEPPARD, brother of the deceased lady, proved the identify and stated the circumstances of the death, as above described. - Dr F. W. Langridge said he had made a post mortem examination of the body and found that death was due to choking, caused by the lodgement of food in the windpipe. - The Jury returned a verdict of Death by Accident, in accordance with the medical evidence.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 17 January 1918
SOUTHLEIGH - At an Inquest at South Leigh, East Devon, on Saturday, on WILLIAM HERBERT REED, farmer, who was found by his wife hanging in a barn, it was stated that deceased was worried about an order of the County Committee to plough two acres for corn, because, being in poor health, he did not know how he was going to do it.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 24 January 1918
TORQUAY - Braunton Woman Found In The Sea At Torquay. - On Saturday, John Pitts, head gardener at Marina, Park Hill-road, Torquay, the residence of Mr and Mrs Bell, was looking out over the sea, when he saw the body of a woman in the water. He reported the matter to the coastguard, and a boat was launched, the body being recovered and taken in an ambulance to the mortuary near the Torquay Hospital, where it was subsequently identified by two servants at Marina as that of EMILY MARY DRAKE, aged 47, who for a fortnight had occupied the position of cook at Marina. Deceased came from Braunton, and on Friday night about ten o'clock she bade her fellow servants "Goodnight," and left them with the apparent intention of going to bed. On Saturday, when a servant went to her room with a cup of tea, it was found that the bed had not been slept in. - An Inquest was held at the old Town Hall, Torquay, on Monday morning relative to the death of EMILY MARY DRAKE, aged 47, cook at the Marina, Park Hill-road, whose body was found in the sea close to the villa grounds on Saturday morning. Deceased left her sister's house at Braunton to go to Torquay at Christmas and continued to carry out her duties up till Friday. On that day she went upstairs to her room about 10 o'clock, saying she had a headache, a complaint from which she suffered. The next morning her room was found to be empty and deceased and hat and coat were gone, whilst the back door was unlocked. Shortly afterwards her body was seen in the water. Deceased was not known to have had any trouble, and had never said anything to indicate that she contemplated suicide. She had been given notice to leave because she was not considered sufficiently capable. One of the domestics said she did not think deceased would know her way about the villa gardens, but one of the under-gardeners said he saw her on the beach on Friday afternoon, and when she noticed him she walked away. - The Jury returned an Open Verdict.

MORCHARD BISHOP - Victim Of The Flood. Morchard Man Drowned. - An Inquest was held at Morchard Bishop on Thursday, on the body of HENRY DREW, carpenter, of Morchard Bishop. - The deceased, with his stepson, had been to Nymet Rowland during the day to fell timber, but the weather was so bad they had to return. When they reached Bugford they found the water up in the road, and they retraced their steps, intending to go back to Lapford for the night. On reaching the timber houses, deceased suggested that he should go home via Bugford, that he knew the road very well and that he had been through the water there when it was forty times as bad as that night. His stepson left him and went to Lapford. The next morning the body of the deceased was found by Robert Stoneman, of Bugford Mills, lying in about eight inches of water, in a meadow just below the mill. Deceased would have had to wade through about 60 yards of water to get there. Stoneman crossed the road at 2.30 a.m., as he was anxious about his cattle. The depth of the river then was about 5ft. 6in., and a very strong current was running. His opinion was that deceased was drowned in the road and washed down the stream. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death by Drowning."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 7 February 1918
SOUTH MOLTON - Suicide At Southmolton. - Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner for North Devon, held an Inquest at Southmolton on Friday on the body of ELIZABETH BLANCHE MOORE, who was found hanging on January 31st. - MR JOHN MOORE, of East-street, the husband, said his wife was 41 years of age. She appeared to be all right at 7.15 on Thursday morning, when she was having breakfast with her brother-in-law, Mr Rd. Pike. For the past twelve months she had been in fairly good health, and had not been attended by a doctor. She had had nothing to worry her and was cheerful. He had no reason to suppose she would take her life and could not account for it in any way. - John Bulley, next door neighbour, said he saw MRS MOORE, at 10 o'clock on Thursday, and she was then cheerful, as she always was. - Richard Pike, who lodged in the house, said he had breakfast with deceased and her husband on Thursday morning. When he left the house at 7.25 the deceased appeared to be all right. She was always cheerful. He knew of no worry or trouble. When he came home to dinner he could not find MRS MOORE. At 1.30 he found her in the wood-house. A rope was round a beam, and twice round her neck. He cut her down at once. There was a bag of coal on which she had stood. He at once fetched Mr Bulley and Mr Metters. - Dr Seal was of opinion that dislocation of the neck was the cause of death. Jumping from the sack of coal with the rope round her neck would be sufficient to account for dislocation of the neck. Just over a year ago he attended her for bronchitis. She was anaemic, but always seemed to be cheerful. - Sergt. Real said no letters from deceased had been found, and nothing had been found to throw any light on the matter. - The Coroner said it was clear that the cause of death was dislocation of the neck and the verdict should be "Suicide by Hanging." - The Jury returned a verdict accordingly, Mr J. G. Webber remarking that in his opinion the deceased was not sane at the time of her death. - Mr F. J. Cole on behalf of the Jury, expressed sympathy with the husband, whom, he said, he had known for twenty years as a respectable man. - Mr Bennett endorsed the Foreman's remarks.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 14 February 1918
BARNSTAPLE - A verdict of "Death by Misadventure" was returned at an Inquest conducted by the Borough Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, at Barnstaple, concerning the death of WILLIAM WILLIAMS, of Braunton, who died in the North Devon Infirmary whilst under an anaesthetic, administered for the purpose of an operation being performed.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 7 March 1918
BIDEFORD - An Inquest was held by Dr Ellis Pearson on Thursday afternoon at Elm Grove, Bideford, on MRS ELIZA LANG, widow, aged 78, who died from the effects of a fall in her kitchen about six weeks ago. Dr Toye said the cause of death was exhaustion following the breaking of her thigh by the fall. The Jury, of which Mr W. J. Jenkins was Foreman, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

NORTH MOLTON - Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner, has held an Inquest up Upcott Farm, Northmolton, as to the death of HENRY LEWIS, 59, a quarryman for Southmolton Rural Council. It was stated in evidence that on February 10th MR LEWIS walked to Molland to see his brother. He wore a pair of "best" boots. Before starting he observed that the soles of the boots were getting loose, and put in a few rusty wire nails to keep them in place. Next morning he mentioned to his landlady (he was a single man) that a nail had run in his left foot. That day he walked to Molland again. On February 20th LEWIS complained of pain in the left side of his head and neck, and expressed his intention of seeing a doctor. He got worse and on the following Friday Dr Baker, of Northmolton, was summoned. Death occurred on February 24th. - P.C. Holman, Northmolton, said that on examining the left boot he found a nail protruding a quarter of an inch through the inner sole. - The Jury, of whom Mr F. J. Yendell was Foreman, found that death was due to Lockjaw, resulting from the prick of a rusty nail. - Sympathetic reference to the sad occurrence was made at a meeting of the Rural Council last week, the deceased being mentioned as an efficient and hard worker.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 28 March 1918
PARRACOMBE - Fatal Accident At Parracombe. Death Of MR WM. LOCK. - A painful sensation was caused in Parracombe and district by the news that MR WILLIAM LOCK, of Bodley, had met with a fatal accident on Friday. While in the upper part of a loft on his farm he fell to the ground floor, sustaining injuries to the head, to which he speedily succumbed. MR LOCK was a member of one of the oldest families in the district, being the eldest son of the late MR WM. LOCK, of East Bodley and West Hill, and he inherited these farms. He was a splendid type of the yeoman - an enterprising farmer and one who took the keenest interest in every phase of the agricultural industry. He never took a prominent part in public affairs, but he had held several parish offices and was a representative manager of the Schools. He was ever ready to assist any good cause. There was no resident in the district who was held in higher esteem. He married the youngest daughter of the late MR JOHN CROCOMBE of Hollerdy Farm. The only son, CORPL. W. LOCK, went through the Gallipoli campaign with the Royal North Devon Hussars, and is now serving in Palestine. - The Inquest was held on Monday before Dr Ellis Pearson (Deputy Coroner for North Devon), Mr W. Thorne being Foreman of the Jury. - The first witness was MRS LOCK, wife of the deceased, who stated that her husband was 61 years of age. On the day of his death he was in his usual state of health. Just before noon she was called to one of the out-buildings, where she saw her husband lying upon the floor having apparently fallen from the loft above. He was lying upon his face and there was a wound at the back of his head. - G. Shapland, a workman for the deceased, said he saw his master in the morning, when he appeared to be in his usual health. He was called to the shippen at about 11.45 and he saw his master lying upon the floor as described by the previous witness. He raised the head of deceased and loosened his clothing, and while doing so remarked that a doctor should be sent for at once. MR LOCK was then conscious and was able to faintly breathe the words, "It's no good." - Dr Cummin stated that he saw the deceased at 12.30. He was then quite dead. In his opinion death was caused by internal haemorrhage, resulting from a fall. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed deep sympathy with MRS LOCK and the family in their sad and sudden bereavement. - MR T. LOCK (Chairman of Parracombe Parish Council) is a brother of the deceased; the two other brothers are in America.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 4 April 1918
BARNSTAPLE - Sad Tragedy At Barnstaple. Well-Known Townsman Takes His Life. - MR ALFRED JAMES GILLARD, of Holland-street, Barnstaple, was on Sunday morning found in the bathroom of his house with his throat cut, the injuries proving of so serious a nature that death occurred early on Tuesday morning. The circumstances are particularly sad, as in addition to being a sufferer from diabetes, MR GILLARD had experienced three bereavements in his family within a year, this leaving him in a very depressed condition. The deceased, who was 64 years of age, was a native of Exeter, and he had carried on business as a draper and small farmer at Barnstaple for many years. He was a man of sterling qualities and of an exceptionally generous nature, and will long be remembered for his many kindly and thoughtful acts in various directions. The sympathy of the residents of a wide district will go out to the widow and family in their latest sorrow. One son, PTE. ALFRED J. GILLARD, is serving in Italy whilst two others - PTE. ARTHUR GILLARD and LANCE-CORPL. FRANK GILLARD, have recently been invalided home. MR GILLARD'S funeral has been fixed for Saturday, at 2.30 p.m. Acting as Deputy for the Borough Coroner, MR T. A. R. Bencraft, (who is suffering from the effects of an accident), Mr B. T. Janes and a Jury, of which Mr D. Moxham was chosen Foreman, Inquired into the death of MR GILLARD at deceased's residence on Tuesday evening. - At the outset, the Coroner made feeling reference to the sad occurrence and said MR GILLARD was an old and greatly respected townsman. He detailed the circumstances under which MR GILLARD was found. Dr Lemarchand was promptly summoned, but all that medical skill could do proved unavailing. - MRS SOPHIA GILLARD, the widow, stated that during the past year there had been three deaths in the family, and the loss of their youngest son a couple of months since had greatly affected her husband. MR GILLARD had in fact been very depressed ever since three of their sons joined the Army. She had not thought it necessary to take any special precautions regarding her husband's razors, although about three weeks or a month ago, she removed them from the bathroom where they were always kept. She left her husband in bed about nine o'clock on Sunday morning and had prepared breakfast about ten minutes later when she discovered that he was in the bathroom upstairs with the door locked. She heard a strange, suffocating noise inside, and tried to open the door without success, whilst she also called to her husband, but received no reply. She then summoned some neighbours, Mr and Mrs Wheaton, and the door was forced open. - By the Foreman: Deceased had never threatened to take his life, but when becoming depressed had felt that he "must do something." Witness used to talk to him at these times; and her husband would then express regret, with the hope that he would have strength to resist the feeling of depression. He would then be all right again in a few minutes. - Mr J. Wheaton, railway labourer, stated that when called on Sunday morning he ran to the bathroom and found it necessary to burst open the door with a hatchet. MR GILLARD was sitting on the floor with his head against the partition. He had a wound in the throat, and witness's wife tied a towel around his neck to stop the blood flowing. Witness remained supporting MR GILLARD until the doctor came; deceased did not speak. On the wash-stand was a large pocket-knife, stained with blood. - P.C. Manley, next called, spoke to remaining for three hours on Sunday morning with MR GILLARD, who was not conscious during that time. Witness produced the pocket-knife referred to. - Dr A. W. Lemarchand, who had attended MR GILLARD for about nine months, informed the Jury that he had suffered from diabetes and had been very weak and depressed, particularly after the death of his youngest son. On being called on Sunday, witness found MR GILLARD with a very large wound in the throat, just above the vocal cords, laying the larynx wide open. In his opinion the wound was self-inflicted and he had no doubt MR GILLARD was insane when he committed the act. - The Coroner thought the evidence conclusively showed that MR GILLARD had not been accountable for his actions and there could only be one possible verdict. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane," and expressed, with the Coroner, their deep sympathy with the widow and family.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 11 April 1918
ILFRACOMBE - Seaman's Accidental Death At Ilfracombe. - Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at the Tyrrell Hospital on Thursday afternoon on ARTHUR ELLIS, deck hand, who met with his death on the previous evening. - The first witness was Thomas Harrison, deck hand, who identified the deceased, and said he was about 23 years of age. Witness's boat was at anchor in the Harbour, second from the Pier and deceased's boat was the outside one - fourth from the Pier. Witness was on the deck when deceased crossed the deck of the vessel to the gangway between it and another steamer. He stopped a moment to turn up the bottoms of his trousers, and when he reached halfway across the gangway, he fell over, striking the sponson as he fell and then falling into the water between the vessels. Witness threw down a lifebuoy and got a light, and found ELLIS floating on his face in the water; he never spoke, or moved to batch the lifebuoy. Witness called "man overboard," as soon as deceased fell over and another man came; several others then hauled him out on to the steamer and a doctor was sent for. The deceased did not speak, but groaned once after they got him on deck. ELLIS seemed to be all right as he walked across the deck, but witness saw no letter sin his hand. There was plenty of light, to show the way across the gangway, which was a plank about 2 feet wide, but with no rail; the vessels were only 7 feet apart. It was about 11.5 p.m. at the time, and it was not usual for a man to be going ashore at that time. - By the Jury: There was no side rail to the gangway; sometimes there was and sometimes there was not in such cases. - A Juryman: "There should be in every case - our men are far too valuable to lose like this." - Walter J. Jackson, fireman, said he was in the galley just after 11 p.m. He heard that a man was overboard and ran up on deck; he kicked his boots off and jumped on the sponson. He saw the deceased close under it and dived in, swimming to him. He found him unconscious and helped the others to hoist him up on deck. Artificial respiration was tried for a time, but only froth came from his mouth. No letters were found on him. - Dr C. W. E. Toller said he was called to deceased about 11.20 p.m. on Wednesday and found him in the f'oksle. The heart was still beating and much water had come from the lungs; deceased was bleeding profusely from the right ear. Every effort was made for a long time to restore animation, but without success. Witness went away to get an injection, but when he returned all signs of life had gone. The cause of death was a fracture at the base of the skull and shock. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and added a rider to the effect that it was necessary to provide side rails to every gangway used between vessels. The Coroner promised to convey this to the proper authority.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 25 April 1918
BARNSTAPLE - MRS HOLMAN, aged 80, widow of MR JOHN HOLMAN, of Park Farm, Filleigh, died on Monday at 12 Alexandra-road, Barnstaple. At an Inquest held yesterday before Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, Borough Coroner, it was stated that on February 4th MRS HOLMAN, who was very feeble, fell at Park Farm and fractured her thigh. She was removed on March 18th to her daughter's residence at Barnstaple. The Jury returned a verdict to the effect that death was the result of an Accidental Fall.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 9 May 1918
BARNSTAPLE - Tragedy At Barnstaple. Young Man Takes His Life. Inquest And Verdict. - There was a terribly sad occurrence at Pilton-street, Barnstaple, on Sunday, WALTER THORNE, son of MR WM. THORNE, tailor, being found in the house in the morning with grave injuries to his throat, and expiring early next morning from the effects of the wounds. MR THORNE, sen., is a well-known and respected master tailor and his son, who was thirty years of age, and unmarried, and who, by reason of his sterling qualities, combined with a quiet and kindly disposition, was held in high esteem, had been associated with him in the business. For the last few months, however, MR WALTER THORNE had been suffering from a serious breakdown in health, this culminating in the sad tragedy of Sunday. A large circle of friends learnt of the peculiarly distressing affair with feelings of profound regret and sympathy with MR THORNE, sen., and his family in their great bereavement is general. - Opening the Inquest at the house of MR THORNE, sen., on Monday afternoon, the Borough Coroner (Mr T. A. R. Bencraft) said the deceased was well-known to most of them and he (the Coroner) had had many conversations with him. The previous morning MR THORNE was found with his throat cut, and he thought the Jury would have no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that the injuries were self-inflicted, the only question being as to the state of his mind at the time. He understood deceased had been depressed and ill for some considerable time, and he thought the circumstances pointed to temporary insanity at the time the act was committed. The Jury would, however, be better able to judge for themselves after they had heard the evidence of MR THORNE, sen., and other witnesses. - MR WM. THORNE stated that his son (the deceased) had worked with him as a tailor. He was all right in health up to February last, when he had to appear before the Borough Tribunal, and then began to get ill. Deceased was called up for medical examination three times, being first rejected and twice passed class 3. "They kept on worrying the poor little fellow to death, and as he gradually got worse, witness (on the advice of Dr Meaden) sent him to Bournemouth for a holiday. There, however, away from friends, he got even worse, and his brother had eventually to fetch him home again. - The Coroner: Did you consider his mind unhinged to some extent before he went away? - I did not give that a thought. My daughter, however, said how ill he looked, and that there was something amiss with him. I never noticed very much, however, except that he was a bit low, through all this worry. - Continuing, MR THORNE said that after deceased returned about two months since he seemed better. He (witness) did not think his condition was really serious, although it was obvious that there was something wrong. His son had done very little work - just a little for himself - and often he had not got up until tea time. Dr Meaden had continued to attend him. On the previous morning his sister took deceased a cup of tea, and witness rose about half-past eight. Previously deceased asked for some matches, possibly to light a cigarette. Witness was in the back garden about nine o'clock, when he heard a bump indoors and, coming in, found his son in a sitting position in the kitchen. Witness believed he had cut his throat with a razor, and ran for Dr Meaden, who, on arrival, regarded it as a serious case. Witness said to his son, "WALTER, what made you do it?" and he replied "I was told to do it." Deceased was evidently referring to some inward thought, as of course nobody had told him to commit such an act. His son seemed to be all right when seen by his sister just previously, whilst he appeared all right the previous evening, when he delivered a parcel of clothes which had been made. His son passed away about 2 a.m. that morning (Monday). Dr Meaden saw him seven or eight times during the day and could not possibly have done more for him. - Dr Meaden spoke to having attended MR WALTER THORNE, who he said had been suffering from nerves and on his advice had gone to Bournemouth for a change. Witness thought this might do him good, as he was evidently overcome with grief of some sort. - The Coroner: This continual calling up of a sensitive man would be enough to unhinge him? There seemed to be no other thing that they could trace. Witness further said that on deceased's return he saw him several times, and there seemed to be no improvement in his condition. He (Dr Meaden) had watched his mental state very carefully and had considered him perfectly safe at home in his father's house. He thought any worry about being called up might very likely pass over, in the absence of any other serious complaint. Witness last saw him about a fortnight ago, and on being called on Sunday morning found him sitting in a chair in his night attire in the kitchen, with blood all over the place. On examination, he found he was suffering from a very severe clean cut in his throat, which must have been caused with a very sharp instrument. Witness did all he could for THRONE, but it was a hopeless case from the first and he gradually sank from loss of blood, death being in his opinion due to syncope, the effect of the wound. - P.C. Newcombe, who visited the house the previous evening, stated that he remained with MR THORNE until his death. THORNE was semi-conscious at times, but said nothing in regard to the deed. - The Coroner, briefly reviewing the evidence, thought the Jury would have no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that deceased committed suicide, and that at the time he was temporarily insane. - The Jury (of which Mr F. J. Garnish was Foreman) returned a verdict accordingly, and before leaving expressed sincere sympathy with MR THORNE, senr., and his family in their sorrow.

BIDEFORD - Death Of The Rector Of Thornbury. Inquest At Bideford. - At the Bideford Hospital on Saturday, Mr G. W. F. Brown (District Coroner) held an Inquiry into the circumstances attending the death of the REV. HENRY GEORGE SMITH-HERIZ, Rector of Thornbury, North Devon, for the past 25 years. - MR J. C. T. HERIZ-SMITH, J.P., of Slade Park, Bideford, said deceased was his brother, and 69 years of age. He had suffered from paralysis for the past four years. He explained to witness and his wife how that while he was trying to open a window fastening at the Rectory on March 12th he fell and fractured his thigh. After receiving medical assistance he was removed to a private ward at the Bideford Hospital on March 17th. - Dr Toye said he attended deceased while at the Institution, and he had every attention possible. - Death was due to paralysis, aggravated by the fracture of the thigh. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death." - The REV. SMITH-HERIZ who was appointed to the Rectory of Thornbury in 1892, was ordained in 1873. From 1873-75 he was curate of Higham, Kent; 1875-79, of Wrecclesham, Surrey; Stroud, 1879-80; Frendsbury, Kent, 1880-83; Bottesford, Notts, 1884-87; Folkestone, 1888-89 and of Ewhurst, Hants, 1890-92. The living, of the net yearly value of £139, includes 106 acres of glebe with residence.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 16 May 1918
TAWSTOCK - Tawstock Tragedy. Suicide Of Farmer's Daughter. - A painful sensation was caused at Tawstock on Thursday by the news that MISS MAUD TRICKEY, aged 34, had been found in her bedroom at Hollamore Farm shot through the heart. The deceased was a daughter of the late MR and MRS TRICKEY, of Hollamore Farm. She was of a bright disposition, and was an expert in dairy work. She was a regular attendant at Barnstaple Market, and was held in high esteem by all who knew her. - The Inquest was held at Hollamore Farm on Friday by Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner for North Devon, the Rev. A. B. S. Wrey, R.D., Rector, being Foreman of the Jury. - The first witness was MR SIDNEY TRICKEY (brother), who said deceased was 34 years of age, and he last saw her alive on Wednesday night at 10.30 in the kitchen, when she was quite all right as far as he could see. Next morning, about 8.30, the servant called him to go to deceased's room, and on entering he saw his sister lying on the bed, apparently dead, with a gun resting on her body. Witness, who is very deaf, and heard nothing during the night, then went for the doctor. The deceased had worried over the loss of her father, who died about twelve months ago, and had also complained of pains. - Q.: Was she worried about the farm at all? - A.: I never heard her say much. - The Foreman understood she had been worrying about leaving the farm, where she had been all her life, and her parents before her. - Further questioned on this matter, the witness said deceased did not show her feelings a lot. - The Foreman said he knew deceased felt having to leave the farm a good deal. - Norah Phillips, servant, said deceased appeared to be all right about 10 o'clock the previous night, but throughout Wednesday had complained of being ill, saying she had a pain between her shoulders. Witness heard no disturbance during the night and rose at 6.30 next morning and proceeded with her household duties. On the postman's arrival about 8.20 with a letter for MISS TRICKEY, witness took it to deceased's room and then discovered the tragedy. Witness knew that deceased had worried about leaving the farm. - The Foreman here remarked, following an observation by the Coroner, that the occupants of the farm were under notice to leave at Michaelmas, and, as far as he knew, they had no financial embarrassment. - Proceeding, the witness Phillips thought deceased had also worried about the work on the farm. Witness had never any reason to suppose she would do herself any injury. The gun was kept in the kitchen over the window. - Answering the Foreman, witness agreed that deceased nursed her father prior to his death, and then she had a serious breakdown in health, from which she had not quite recovered. She had complained that she had pains and could hardly bear to draw her breath. - Deceased's brother, recalled, said he had kept his cartridges in a locked chest in the stables. - Dr W. J. Harper, of Barnstaple, described deceased's injuries, saying the full charge of one barrel of the gun went through her heart. The butt end of the weapon was between her feet; her apron string was twisted around two toes of her left foot and the other end tied to the trigger of the gun. Death was due to the injuries she received, which were self-inflicted. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity" and expressed their sympathy with the relatives.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 30 May 1918
ABBOTSHAM - Death From Ptomaine Poisoning Near Bideford. - An Inquest was held at Abbotsham last evening on CONSTANTINE BROCK, labourer, aged 45, who died from ptomaine poisoning after partaking of ham and eggs cooked in fat purchased a few days previously. Dr Grose, who stated the cause of death, said in answer to the Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, that he did not consider a post-mortem necessary. The symptoms were similar to those of the new disease called Botulism. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 6 June 1918
DOLTON - At an Inquest held by Mr G. W. F. Brown, at Dolton, on Saturday, on JOHN HANCOCK, a mason, 65 years of age, EMMA HANCOCK, the wife, said at 2 o'clock that morning she was awakened by her husband groaning. She got up and endeavoured to give him stimulants, but he died immediately. Dr Mortimer, of Torrington, who made a post mortem examination, said the valve of the heart was considerably diseased. Death was due to heart failure from organic disease. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 11 July 1918
CHULMLEIGH - Dr Ellis Pearson conducted an Inquest at the Portuguese camp at Brookland, on the body of ANTONIO ARANJO, a timber feller, aged 31, who was found drowned in a stream. A verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 18 July 1918
ILFRACOMBE - An Inquest was held at the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital on Wednesday by Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, on HENRY FRANCIS CLARK, aged 70, of Maidenhead, a visitor, who on Tuesday morning was taken ill while sitting in the shelter on Hillsborough and died before a doctor could arrive. He was in his usual health when he arrived at Ilfracombe on July 4th, and he seemed even more cheerful than usual when he left the Atlanta Hotel on Tuesday morning for a walk. The medical evidence was that death was due to syncope, due to some over-strain of the heart, and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned. The deceased had been a regular visitor to Ilfracombe for 25 years

North Devon Journal, Thursday 1 August 1918
ILFRACOMBE - An Inquest was held yesterday afternoon at the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital, on MR HENRY SMITH HAWKINS, aged 71, who died suddenly at his residence, 33 Marlborough-road, on Tuesday afternoon. Dr Osborne, who made the post mortem examination, said deceased suffered from bronchitis and mitral disease of the heart. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

BARNSTAPLE - Barnstaple Plumber Commits Suicide. Absence Of News From His Son Causes Depression. - On Monday morning, shortly after nine o'clock the body of MR WILLIAM HARVEY FRAYNE, plumber, in the employ of Messrs. Parkin and Sanders, was found hanging in the stores connected with their workshop at Green-lane, Barnstaple. Mr Sanders (one of the partners) made the sad discovery, and the body was at once cut down and medical aid summoned, but life was found to be extinct, deceased being subsequently removed to his home at Azes-lane. MR FRAYNE had been a valued employee of Messrs. Parkin and Sanders for many years; and for his sterling qualities he was held in high esteem by all who knew him. Three sons of MR and MRS FRAYNE are on service, and deceased seemed to have greatly worried over the fact that they had not heard from their eldest son for over two months. With MRS FRAYNE and her family (three sons and five daughters) in her terrible bereavement general sympathy is expressed. - The Inquest was held at deceased's home in the afternoon, before the Borough Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, and a Jury of which Mr D. Moxham was Foreman. - The Coroner remarked at the outset that MR FRAYNE was, he expected, pretty well known to all of them as a steady, quiet and well-behaved citizen and a good workman. All of them, he was afraid, were more or less depressed by the War, and deceased appeared to have been especially so, because he had three sons serving, and from one of them he had not heard for over two months. That did not appear to be a very long time, because they knew that some of the mails were lost at sea, particularly mails from the Mediterranean. MR FRAYNE, however, appeared to have been accustomed to hear regularly from his son once a month, and he seemed to have taken the fact that he had had no communication from him of late to heart, and to have thought that something serious had happened. That was the only reason which could be advanced for the terrible state of depression which he must have been in that morning, culminating in the act which he committed and the subsequent discovery of the body. - MRS ELLEN FRAYNE stated that deceased, her husband, was 61 years of age. He had enjoyed fairly good health, but had been a little depressed. He had, however, never said he would take his life, and she had never thought of such an idea entering his head. They had three sons in the War, and they had heard from their eldest son, who was on a Hospital Ship, pretty regularly until two months ago. Her husband had not, she thought, heard about m ails going down; and he had thought a lot about their son, and wondered what had become of him. there were no other difficulties, and they had never had an angry word. She had noticed that her husband had been depressed for the past fortnight. He wished her "Good morning," when he left for work that day, and she expected him at breakfast time, but did not afterwards see him alive. - Mr Fredk. C. Sanders, of the firm of Parkin and Sanders, plumbers, stated that MR FRAYNE had been in their employ for thirteen years. He was a good workman; and a more conscientious employee one could not wish for. MR FRAYNE'S general health had been pretty good, but lately witness noticed that he had been depressed and showed signs of worrying. Witness had remarked on this fact to MRS FRAYNE. Witness did not see deceased when he started work that morning and had himself arranged to go to Tawstock. For this purpose he was leaving shortly after nine o'clock that morning, and had got part way down Green-lane, when he remembered that he had to take some fittings. He accordingly went to the stores and had picked up the fittings, when turning round in the semi-darkness he saw deceased hanging by a rope from a beam. A box near had evidently been kicked away by deceased, whose feet were about two inches off the ground. Witness touched deceased's hands and came to the conclusion that he had evidently been dead for some time. Witness summoned two blacksmiths who occupied a portion of the same premises and they released the body, whilst he went for the Police, a medical man being also summoned. Mr Sanders further explained that the beam from which the body was hanging was a lean-to beam against the main wall of the store; and that the rope was used by the firm in connection with the business. - Mr James Pugsley, of the firm of Pugsley and Alford, blacksmiths, spoke to seeing MR FRAYNE enter the premises about 7.15 a.m. He (witness) said "Good morning," but deceased did not reply - this being most unusual - and walked upstairs. Witness presumed that he was fetching his tools to go to work and did not see him afterwards. About 9.20 a.m., Mr Sanders called out that MR FRAYNE was up in the loft hanged and witness and Mr Alford at once went up and cut the body down. There was not a foot of rope between deceased's neck and the beam; and just behind the body was the box referred to. - Dr W. J. Harper stated that when called to the stores about ten a.m. he found the body on the floor, life being quite extinct. There were marks around the throat, evidently caused by the rope in question. In his opinion, deceased was temporarily insane when he committed the act. The fact that he had not heard from his son of late seemed to have had the effect of unsettling his mind; and unfortunately there were a good many cases of the same kind up and down the country. - P.S. Smith was also called. In MR FRAYNE'S pockets witness found £5 10s. in money, but there was no note throwing any light on the tragedy. - The Coroner having briefly summed up, the Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind," and expressed deep sympathy with MRS FRAYNE and her family in their bereavement.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 15 August 1918
EXETER - Through a pony shying at a traction engine at Pinhoe, Exeter, on Friday, MR GEORGE SALTER, farmer, of Lake Farm, Broadclyst was thrown into the roadway, the wheel of the traction engine passing over his head. At the Inquest a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

BIDEFORD - Sad Bathing Fatality At Bideford. - Some hundreds of people on Bideford Bridge and Quay were n Monday evening witnesses of a sad bathing fatality, the dangerous Bridge Pools claiming another victim in the person of HAROLD RICHARD KIVELL, the 12-year-old son of MR R. KIVELL, baker and MRS KIVELL, of East-the-Water. Young KIVELL and half-a-dozen other lads were bathing from the sands below the Bridge near the East-the-Water side about quarter-past six and the tide was nearing the turn. KIVELL, who had apparently been swimming strongly, got in difficulties in deep water and the others shouted directions to him and tried to assist him, one, his brother, getting quite close to him, but being unable to render effective aid. The shouting of youngsters bathing is so usual that the working men engaged in repairing the Bridge a few arches away, did not at first appreciate that there was anything amiss, but when they heard above the noise of the swirling water of what was happening they lost no time in rowing a boat to the spot, but the lad had by this time disappeared. Mr John Avery promptly entered the water and with one of deceased's brothers made every possible attempt to find the whereabouts of the body and recover it, but without avail. They were joined also by John R. Couch, of Port Isaac, a powerful swimmer, whose vessel, the "Brackenholm," was lying at the Quay next to the Bridge. Couch repeatedly dived into the pool, by now about 15 feet deep, but in the discoloured state of the water was unable to find the lad, although making most gallant efforts. Meanwhile the shouts from the Bridge had been heard across at the Police Station and P.C. Tuplin went down to a boat from the ladder at the Bridge with a grappling iron and after a lengthy search succeeded in recovering the body, and at once commenced endeavouring to induce artificial respiration. But the lad had been submerged anything from a quarter of an hour to twenty-five minutes, and there were at no time any signs of the attempts being successful. Nurse Johns, of Appledore, happened to be cycling on the Quay, and learning what had occurred, hurried down on the sands from the East-the-Water side, and entering into the boat in which the lad had been placed took charge of the operations and worked hard with the others to see that everything possible was done. Dr Cole also arrived and entered the boat, which by his direction was subsequently taken to the shore, and the attempts at artificial resuscitation were continued at Mr Phillip's grocer's shop until 7.30. It was then regretfully announced that the poor boy was past all recovery and the body was removed to the home of the parents, with whom the greatest sympathy was expressed in this sudden bereavement. If a multitude of willing helpers could have saved the boy's life, it would have been spared, as was evidenced by the great promptitude with which kettles of hot water were forthcoming and taken to the boat when they were called for. The opinion was again freely expressed that some steps - in addition to the notices that the place is dangerous - ought to be possible to prevent lads bathing in the treacherous waters adjoining the Bridge. Young KIVELL was a scholar at Instow School. - The Inquest. - The Inquest was held on Tuesday evening by Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner, and a Jury, of which Mr William Henry Glover (East-the-Water) was Foreman. - STANLEY KIVELL, a 13-year-old brother of the deceased, described how they were bathing with four others, all being able to swim, though some only al little, witness being the best of them. His brother, whilst swimming, was taken by the current from shallow into deep water and got into difficulties. Witness swam to him and got hold of him once in an endeavour to save him, but could not succeed and shouted for help. His brother was shouting to be pulled in to the shore, but the others could not swim well enough to help, and when witness could do no more his brother went under. - J. H. Davis, who was working on one of the piers of the bridge, said he heard the shouts above the rushing of the water through the Bridge, but there was nothing unusual about that when boys were bathing, and he did not at first appreciate what was happening. When he did he sent for the grappling irons and boat, and pushed a plank towards where deceased was, but he sank just as the plank approached him. The body was recovered in about twenty or twenty-five minutes with a grappling iron by P.C. Tuplin. In answer to the Jury, witness said he was sixty, had heavy clothes and boots on, was no swimmer and had not been in the water for forty years. The same applied to another workman, who was 64. Two younger workmen there, he believed, could not swim. - The Foreman (himself an elderly man): I don't wish to cast any reflections, but I fancy I could have managed the job, although I have not been in the water for forty years. - The father said he missed the boy immediately after he had had a good tea, and he must have gone straight to bathe. Other evidence described the attempts made to induce respiration immediately the body was recovered, but Dr Cole, who was promptly in attendance, said there were never any signs of life. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned whilst Bathing," and expressed sympathy with the relatives. - The funeral of the deceased takes place today (Thursday.)

North Devon Journal, Thursday 22 August 1918
Mr G. W. F. Brown, coroner for North Devon, held an Inquest at Combe Martin on Tuesday respecting the death of MISS PHYLLIS LILIAN STARKEY, the victim of the Combe Martin cliff accident. - MR J. W. R. STARKEY, M.P., for the Newark Division, said his daughter was 16 years of age. - Dr Richardson said death, which was instantaneous, was due to the fracture of the base of the skull. - The accident was described by the deceased's youngest sister, aged 14, who said that after bathing on Sunday evening she and her sisters started to climb the rocks with the intention of going around into the harbour beyond Lester Point. Her sister, AUGUSTA, aged 17, put her foot on a clump of rocks and fell and deceased, in her hurry to get down, fell also, from a height of about 40 feet. Witness climbed down to where both of them were lying at the foot of the cliff and then ran for assistance. - Thomas Gould, who rendered assistance, described the spot as dangerous and said there was no path. - The Coroner said the accident was one of those unfortunate occurrences which would happen. He called special attention to the statement by Gould of the danger of the spot and remarked that people attempted the climb not knowing the danger they ran. - To their verdict of "Accidental Death" the Jury added a rider that they considered notices should be fixed warning people against the danger of attempting such a climb. - MISS AUGUSTA STARKEY, who was severely injured by her fall was on Tuesday reported to be progressing satisfactorily.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 10 October 1918
COMBE MARTIN - "Found Drowned." - The body of a man was brought into Combe Martin harbour on Thursday by boatmen Thomas Gould and Alfred Irwin. P.C. Perriam was at once sent for and upon examination of papers found upon the deceased, it was discovered that his name was LEON H. WHEELER, 1st-Lieutenant American Army. The Inquest was held at the Town Hall, and after hearing the evidence a verdict was returned of "Found Drowned." - The funeral took place on Friday in the parish churchyard, the service being performed by Rev. R. Churchill, rector of Berrynarbor. There were a number of inhabitants present to show their sympathy and several beautiful wreaths were placed upon the coffin, including one from the Naval Authority (Ilfracombe). Commander Philbrick and the Divisional Officer, Ilfracombe, as well as two American officers were present at the funeral service, together with Coastguard J. Vincent, P.C. Perriam and two sailors home on leave. The coffin was of unpolished oak, with brass mountings. Deceased was about 27 years of age.

BOW - Suicide At Bow. - Mr H. W. Gould, Coroner, Exeter, held on Monday at Bow on JAMES DOWN, 57, farm labourer, Lockgate-cottages an Inquest. - DOWN, who had lost a son in the war and a brother in a railway accident not long ago, had been very depressed and was heard to say that he was "tired of it." On Monday morning Albert J. Rosewarn, lodging at deceased's house, found DOWN hanging from a beam in the kitchen. The body was warm, but there was no sign of life. - Dr Kelly, Bow, said death was due to strangulation. He had been told that deceased had often threatened to take his life. - Verdict: "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 17 October 1918
BARNSTAPLE - Fatal Accident At Barnstaple Shipyard. - Work at the new shipyard at Barnstaple was on Thursday marred by a fatal accident to one of the employees - MR JOHN BALCH, labourer, of Queen-street. With other workman, BALCH was engaged in installing a boiler on the new concrete vessel, the "Cretpath," by means of sheerings and hand-pulleys. the boiler had been got on the deck to within a short distance of where it was to be lowered into the hold of the vessel, when suddenly it slipped some nine inches, the strain causing the sheerings to snap and the boiler falling into one of the cargo holds without any appreciable damage. In order to avoid being struck, MR BALCH jumped out of the way, but in so doing, missed his footing, and fell to the floor of the boiler-house, sustaining grave injuries to his head. Fellow-workmen at once lent assistance, and within a short time MR BALCH was admitted to the North Devon Infirmary, where, however, little could be done for him and he passed away about three hours after the accident. The deceased, who was 52 years of age, was in the employ of Barnstaple Town Council for some years and he only recently entered the service of the British Construction Co. He was held in high regard by the staff and by his fellow workmen and as a mark of respect work was suspended at the Shipyard for the remainder of the day. MR BALCH leaves a widow and family, for whom general sympathy is expressed throughout the Borough. - The Inquest was held at the North Devon Infirmary on Friday evening, before the Borough Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft and a Jury of which Mr D. Moxham was chosen Foreman. Mr Morris, H.M. Inspector of Factories, of Plymouth, was present and Mr J. O. Jubb (Works Manager), Captain Spragg and other members of the staff of the shipyard attended, with Mr R. E. C. Balsdon (who watched the interest of the Co.). - The Coroner having explained the accident to the Jury, and defined their duties, MRS FRENCH, daughter of deceased, gave formal evidence of identification. - Mr Ernest Eddy, general foreman at the shipyard, stated that the sheerings used for moving the boiler were the usual ones employed and in his opinion everything was properly fixed. He had lifted 14 to 18 ton boilers with similar gear. The props were selected by him, one of about one hundred poles, and were lashed in pairs to make doubly sure. The safe lifting capacity of the props should have been five tons, whereas the weight of the boiler was only 3 ½ tons. He (witness) was on No. 2 ship when the accident occurred and could not explain why the boiler slipped. This was the first accident of the kind that had occurred in his long experience. In the construction of the sheerings, he allowed for practically half over the weight of the engine, and could not of course estimate for the sudden jar which occurred to the boiler and thereby snapped the poles. - Mr Morris here expressed the opinion that one could not estimate for a sudden jar of this sort, which could only have been prevented by means of safety ropes. - Mr Eddy added, in answer to the Coroner, that he knew of no better method for placing the boiler in position than that employed. - Mr John Parsley, ganger deposed that he had six men (including BALCH) engaged in hoisting the boiler into position. The boiler was resting on two baulks across the hatchway and five-ton and three-ton endless chain blocks were used in connection with the after and fore sheerlegs respectively. They had pulled the boiler more than half way across when the accident occurred. At the bottom of the boiler was a flange or ridge, of which her took advantage, as it was biting into and bringing the timber underneath with it. Instead, however, of the ridge hanging to the timber, it seemed to slip over the edge and slipped a matter of eight or nine inches. When the sheerlegs cracked, witness fell on the deck, and on asking if anyone was hurt, was told BALCH was in the hold of the vessel. BALCH fell aft and everything else fell forward. On going down to BALCH he found him on his back, with a mark on the back of his head, whilst one of his eyes was black. There was blood on the floor of the vessel. Witness would have used the same poles for the sheerlegs and he saw no evidence of a flaw in them after the accident. BALCH was helping to pull down the chain blocks when the mishap occurred, and fell a distance of about twelve feet. There was plenty of room on the deck for the men to move about. - A Juror asked if the hold could not have been covered up at the time, witness replying that masons were working there. - Mr Jubb remarked that the whole thing was opened and exposed, and thought it impossible that what happened could have been guarded against. - Mr Thos. Snell, scaffold rigger, also described the accident. As a result, he found himself on his back on the deck house; and saw BALCH on his back in the boiler room. The only way in which he could account for the mishap was that the baulk of timber must have turned a little on its edge, thus causing the boiler to slip. Possibly the wet weather had something to do with it. - Dr Vermeylen, House Surgeon at the North Devon Infirmary, spoke to MR BALCH being admitted to the Institution in a grave condition, showing signs of concussion of the brain. Death was due to the skull being fractured. - The Coroner, summing up, said no doubt it was an accident, and it was for the Jury to say if they thought anyone was to blame in the matter. - Mr Morris, in answer to the Coroner, said he thought no-one was to blame, for this reason - that no-one could have anticipated the undue strain which occurred. The evidence was that the boiler, weighing 3 ½ tons, was being lifted by apparatus which was more than sufficient for ordinary work of this kind. - The Jury, without retiring, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated all concerned from blame. - Mr Jubb said he desired to express the deepest sympathy of the British Construction Company and staff with the widow and family in their great bereavement. MR BALCH was a good workman, and was respected by the staff no less than by his fellow-workmen. It was a pure accident - they knew of and could find no better way than that for hoisting the boiler into position - one of those things, he supposed, that would occasionally happen, although one hundred years might elapse before an accident of the same kind might again occur. - The Coroner joined in the expressions of sympathy with deceased's family, adding that he quite agreed with the Jury's verdict.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 7 November 1918
COMBE MARTIN - Combe Martin Tragedy. Death Of The Rector. - A painful sensation was caused at Combe Martin on Thursday night, when it became known that the Rector, the REV. FRANCIS W. TOMS, had been found in the Rectory grounds suffering from a severe wound in the throat. The rev. gentleman had been announced to preside at a War Savings meeting in the evening and after waiting for nearly half an hour, the meeting appointed Mr R. Clogg, J.P., as Chairman. It was not until after the meeting that the cause of the Rector's absence became known. The rev. gentleman passed away on Monday The REV. F. W. TOMS, was the son of the late REV. H. W. TOMS, for 60 years Rector of Combe Martin, and was 63 years of age. Educated at Exeter College, Oxford, MR TOMS obtained his B.A. degree in 1879 and his M.A. in 1881. He entered the Leeds Clergy School in 1880 and in the same year was ordained deacon, and priest in 1882. He held the curacy of Shearsley, Leicestershire, 1880-1883; Belbroughton, Worcestershire, 1883-84; St Paul, Pudsey, 1885-89; Earlsfield, Surrey, 1890-91 and Combe Martin 1891 - 1904. In the latter year he succeeded to the living on the death of his father. From 1911-14 he was rural dean of Sherwill. - The Inquest was held on Tuesday before Mr G. W. F. Brown, Coroner for North Devon. - The first witness was MISS SYLVIA F. TOMS, daughter of the deceased, who gave her father's age as 63, and said that on Thursday she last saw deceased alive, about 1.30 p.m., when he was near the Rectory making a bonfire. He had been very depressed all day, and, in fact, had been so for some considerable time past. Witness then went out with one of her sisters and on returning about 6.45 p.m. found a note, addressed to them, in the hall. On opening it she saw that something terrible must have happened, and she called the servants and sent one of them for Dr Richardson. He arrived almost immediately, and a search was made for her father, who was found lying behind the barn in the Rectory grounds. Her father had been much depressed, principally on account of the continued illness they had had in the house ever since May last, and in consequence of the death of her mother, which occurred some two years ago. Deceased had, however, never threatened to take his life, as far as she was aware. Continuing, witness said her father could not settle down to read a book or settle his mind on anything for any length of time, and he got very little sleep at night. They never thought it necessary to have anyone to regularly look after him, as one of his daughters was always in the house. - The note left by deceased was a personal one to his daughters, to whom it was addressed, and in it he told them they would probably find him behind the barn. "God only knows how I have prayed and struggled to carry on, but I simply can do it no longer." - Winifred Passmore, a servant at the Rectory, said on Thursday afternoon she saw deceased go out of the house about 4 o'clock. Shortly after this, in passing through the hall, the witness saw a note on the hall table, addressed to the three MISSES TOMS. She prepared tea for deceased at 4.30 as usual, but he did not come in. The MISSES TOMS returned about 6.30 and, having opened the note, sent witness for Dr Richardson, whom she helped to search for deceased. They found him lying behind the barn and they removed him to the house. - Dr T. A. Richardson deposed to being summoned and to finding the body. Deceased had a large wound in his throat and was covered in blood. With assistance he got deceased into the house and dressed the wound. The rev. gentleman was conscious meanwhile and the only remark he made was that he had tried to do his duty, but he felt it was a failure. Witness attended him until Saturday last, when the case was taken over by Dr N. S. Manning. Witness found a razor (produced) lying close beside the deceased. It was evidently with this that he committed the act. - Dr N. S. Manning said on arrival at Combe Martin on Saturday he at once went to see the deceased. He was conscious although he appeared very much dazed, and did not seem to know exactly the seriousness of his position. Witness asked him how he was and he replied, "Very well, thank you." On Sunday morning, when witness saw him again, he was in a very feeble state, and the wound showed no signs of repairing. Later in the day deceased got very restless and on Monday morning became comatose and remained so until the time of his death, the cause of which was exhaustion and shock from the effect of the wound, which was self-inflicted. Deceased never really rallied during the whole time witness was attending him. In witness's opinion, deceased was of unsound mind at the time he committed the act. - P.C. Perriam having also given evidence, the Coroner (who conducted the Inquest without a Jury) entered a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 21 November 1918
SOUTH MOLTON - Suicide At Southmolton. - Mr G. W. F. Brown has held an Inquest without Jury, at Southmolton, touching the death of MR JAMES THOMAS SLADER, aged 72, of 7 Alexandra-terrace, a retired farmer, who was found dead in bed with a scarf which was around his neck and was tied to the bed-rail. - The body was identified by MR JOHN SLADER, cousin, who said he last saw deceased alive about a month ago. Deceased had not been well for some years, having suffered from eczema. - Mrs Adams said that deceased had lodged at her home since the death of his wife about a month. During that time he was in his usual state of health. She last saw him alive at 8.30 p.m. on November 12th. He had been in bed all day. He sometimes remained in bed, but on the day in question he was not worse than usual. He did not complain, neither did he have a doctor. On going to his room at half-past seven next morning witness found him in bed. He was tied to the bed rail with a scarf (produced). Life was extinct. She had never heard him threaten to commit suicide. So far as she could discover, deceased did not leave any note. - Dr Mortimer said he was summoned on Wednesday morning and arrived just before 8. The body was bold. The scarf had been cut, but was not removed. Death was caused by strangulation. There were no marks of violence, except where the scarf had been. Deceased had a bottle of medicine just before his wife died, but witness had not attended him for some years. - P.C. Isaac said he searched the room. There was no letter or anything pointing to what had happened. In a locked box there was a purse containing £10 9s. 8 ½d. - The Coroner: then he was not in monetary want? - MR JOHN SLADER: I believe not; I thought he was worth a good deal of money. - The Coroner: At all events, he had something to go on with. - MR J. SLADER: He had done no work for thirty or forty years. - The Coroner: For several years he lived close to me. On the evidence I can only return a verdict that he Committed Suicide by Hanging Himself. Death was due to strangulation from Hanging.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 28 November 1918
GOODLEIGH - Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest at Goodleigh on Friday last on the body of WILLIAM RENDLE, aged 59, a carpenter. MRS ELIZABETH DANIEL, of Barnstaple, identified the body as that of her brother. Dr W. J. Harper attributed death to heart failure, the result of pulmonary tuberculosis, and the Coroner returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 12 December 1918
SHEBBEAR - Fatal Accident At Shebbear. - Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner for North Devon, at Shebbear on Friday Inquired into the death of JESSIE ABBOT, aged 24, daughter of MRS BATTEN of Stone Park Cottage. - The mother stated that deceased, who had been working on the land at Buckland Filleigh, came home a few days previously with influenza and appeared to be getting on very well. On November 24th witness took her some milk to her room, between 10 and 11 a.m., and later, hearing a thud, witness looked out of the kitchen window and saw her daughter lying in the garden. Asked what happened, deceased, who was semi-conscious murmured "Opening a window - giddy." Witness explained that the window of the deceased's bedroom had two broken sash cords on the top sash, and when the fastener was released it went down with a run. She knew of no reason why the girl should attempt to take her life. She was quite happy and comfortable at home. Death occurred on Thursday. - Dr E. Dryburgh-Smith, of Shebbear, who had attended deceased, stated that she sustained a fracture of the vault of the skull, while the second cervical vertebrae and the sixth vertebrae were fractured. - The Coroner remarked on the extraordinary fact of the girl living so long after such injuries, and returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

PARKHAM - At Hoop's Cottage, Parkham, on Friday, Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner, Inquired into the death of DOUGLAS RICHARD HARDING, aged 65, who had been accustomed to do clerical work in the parish. The widow having been called, Dr E. J. Towe, of Bideford, attributed death to syncope following Bright's Disease. The Coroner returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 2 January 1919
BARNSTAPLE - Fatal Accident To Portuguese Workman At Filleigh. - The death of JOVO GONCALVES, a Portuguese workman at the Board of Trade sawmills at Castle Hill, Filleigh, was Inquired into at the North Devon Infirmary on Tuesday in last week by Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, Barnstaple Borough Coroner, and a Jury of which Mr Dan Moxham was Foreman. - The Coroner first feelingly remarked on the sadness of the occurrence, having regard to the fact that this brave fellow came over to help England in her dire need and necessity. Portugal was our oldest Ally, and it was both unfortunate and sad that just as the War was over, CONCALVES should have lost his life in this way. - The accident was described by Albert Chivers, foreman in charge of the sawmills, and by a Portuguese workman, who is a second sawyer at the camp, through Mr Hugh Pearson, interpreter. It was explained that deceased, feeling cold on December 19th, went down into the sawpit to help clear out some sawdust and that standing upright whilst on a heap of sawdust, his head came into contact with a revolving belt running on a loose pulley, sustaining a fracture of the skull. After being seen by a local doctor, he was removed to the North Devon Infirmary, where he died the previous day. - The foreman said the accident was obviously due to want of thought on deceased's part, as he must have known that the belt was revolving on the loose pulley. - Dr Vermylan, House Surgeon at the Infirmary, having described the injuries, the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 9 January 1919
CHAWLEIGH - Chawleigh Baker Drowned In Flooded River. - A fatal accident happened near Chulmleigh on Wednesday evening, about 7 o'clock. MR F. SNELL, baker, of Chawleigh, had been his usual round with his horse and trap, and was returning home by way of Rock Hill to distribute bread to his customer at Chawleigh Week. As Rock Bridge is only made for foot passengers, vehicles and carts have to travel through the water, which MR SNELL has been in the habit of doing for sometime past. Heavy rain had prevailed throughout the day and the water was flowing high and fast. Mr Cockram, one of the rural postmen, returning from Chawleigh Week to Chulmleigh, on coming to the bride saw a horse standing by the roadside and the trap, with lights burning, was stuck to the north side of the island on the lower side of the bridge. He could not see MR SNELL. By the time he had obtained assistance from the town, the water had risen much higher, and the trap had broken up and been washed down the river. The river banks were searched in vain for some hours, the only thing found being one side of the trap and a few boards and loaves of bread. The search was resumed on Thursday both from Chulmleigh and Chawleigh, but the body was not found until Saturday. About one mile from the bridge some remains of the trap and wheels and shafts were recovered. At the Inquest on Tuesday a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 23 January 1919
LYNMOUTH - Fatal Accident At Lynmouth. - Residents at Lynton and Lynmouth were greatly shocked to hear on Friday evening that a fatal accident had befallen MR JOHN B. PARSONS, of the Bath Hotel, Lynmouth. He had been repairing a leak situated above a glass roof over the entrance to the saloon bar. Stepping on the roof it gave way and MR PARSONS fell through it, pitching heavily on the floor. Mr G. Batten, who was working near by, ran to him, and obtained help. Dr Cummings was soon at hand, and found the injuries to be very serious, so much so, that the sufferer succumbed the same evening at 12 o'clock. He was in his 79th year, was a man of magnificent physique and was accustomed, even at his advanced age, to do many of his own repairs. Formerly a commercial traveller for a large grocery firm, MR PARSONS was a splendid business man. He and MRS PARSONS, who was a Barnstaple lady, came to Lynmouth 18 years ago, conducting the Rising Sun Hotel. From there they moved to the Bath Hotel, which they bought some five or six years back, and have built up good business there, the Hotel being vastly improved. The deceased was a gentleman of the strictest integrity and of a kindly disposition, and was highly esteemed by all. General sympathy is expressed with the widow. - The Inquest was held at the Bath Hotel on Tuesday by Mr G. W. F. Brown, the Coroner for North Devon. - The first witness was the widow, who said that on Friday last deceased was at work on a skylight at the back of the house, when she heard a crash of glass, and on going out she found he had fallen to the ground. - Sidney Batting, boots at the Hotel, said he was assisting his master to do something to the skylight. Witness was holding the ladder and deceased was on the roof, when suddenly one of the supports of the skylight gave way and deceased fell on to the cement floor underneath, a distance of about 12 feet. He helped to get his master to his room - Dr Cummings stated that he saw deceased shortly after the accident. He was quite conscious, but was suffering a lot of pain. He died the same night. A post-mortem examination revealed a fracture of the pelvis and there had been a lot of internal haemorrhage. Death was due to haemorrhage, the result of the fracture. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and expressed sympathy with the widow in her bereavement.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 23 January 1919
NORTHAM - Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, and a Jury of which Mr J. B. Penhorwood was Foreman, held an Inquest at Northam yesterday on the body of a man believed to be FRANK BADCOCK, one of the two men drowned while fishing off Clovelly on the 1st inst., and which was washed ashore that morning on the Pebble Ridge at Westward Ho! The boat had been washed up at Westward Ho on the 2nd inst. A verdict was returned of "Found Drowned."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 6 February 1919
BARNSTAPLE - Death From Exposure At Barnstaple. - MR HARRY SYMONS, retired compositor, left his home at Grenville Avenue, Yeo Vale, Barnstaple, after dinner on Saturday, and the following afternoon his body was discovered in a small stream leading to the river Yeo, near Stoneyard, about a mile distant from the town. The deceased, aged 52, was a native of the town, being a member of an old and esteemed family. He served his apprenticeship as a printer at the "North Devon Herald," and later proceeded to London, being for many years a machine operator on the "Star." Compelled to relinquish work on account of ill-health several years ago, he returned to Barnstaple, where he had since resided. A man of sterling character and worth, he was held in high esteem by all who knew him and with the widow in her great bereavement general sympathy is expressed. - The Inquest was conducted by Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, Borough Coroner, at deceased's residence on Monday afternoon, the services of a Jury being dispensed with under the new Act. - MRS MARIAN M. SYMONS, the widow, stated that her husband had been in bad health for some years. About 2 ½ years since he was sent to an Asylum, and five months later the Asylum authorities, thinking she could manage to look after her husband, sent him home again. Dr Harper had continually attended him since that time. Her husband, who really seemed "like a child," would sometimes go out of doors by himself, but never remained away long. MRS SYMONS mentioned that his eccentricities led him sometimes to pick up sticks and stones, which he brought home. He had never threatened his life, or said anything which led her to suppose it would be unsafe to allow him to go out of doors alone. He went out after dinner on Saturday, saying he was going to the town. As he did not return she went in search of him and being unsuccessful, later informed the Police. Her husband had missed his way twice at the corner of their road, and wandering down to the marsh, had gone along the railway bank. She did not see her husband again until the body was brought back the previous afternoon. She had asked Dr Harper if he thought her husband should be put away, as he was a little troublesome, but the doctor did not think he was anything more than she could manage. - Wm. Lock, an apprentice at Derby Lace Factory, spoke to taking a walk up the bank of the River Yeo with Thos. Gould, another lad, about two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, when three little boys picking snowdrops informed them someone had been drowned. Going to the spot indicated, they saw deceased lying on his back in water underneath a steep bank, about 20 feet high. There were no signs of a struggle on the bank. Witness saw that life was extinct, and went and informed the Police. MR SYMONS was fully dressed, but had no hat on. - Thomas Gould, apprentice at Messrs. Harris and Hill's, confirmed the last witness's evidences. He added that deceased was lying in the dyke in about eighteen inches of water, and that he noticed a mark on the bank, down which deceased had apparently slipped. - P.C. A. Hill stated that on being notified of what had occurred, he took the ambulance to Ivy Lodge. Witness had the assistance of Mr Stanbury, and found that a horse and cart and a rope were necessary for removing the body, which was lying about a foot from the bank in a small irrigation stream leading to the river Yeo, just under Stoneyard Farm. The water, about one foot in depth, was just covering deceased, and the very steep and almost perpendicular bank close by was about 20 feet in height. Over deceased there were a few footmarks with brambles broken away, ask though he had slipped down the bank. Witness was let down with the aid of a rope and got those above to haul the body up. MR SYMONS was grasping a small stick in his hand. In witness's opinion, deceased either toppled over and fell down the bank in trying to pick up the stick; or having lost his way in the dark he accidentally fell over the bank. Witness could not find his hat or walking-stick. MR SYMONS had in his pockets a quantity of stones and sticks [produced], there weighing about a ¼ cwt. - Dr W. J. Harper informed the Coroner that after going to the Asylum a few years ago, MR SYMONS was better for a time. He had suffered from an incurable state of the nervous system - general paralysis. this had affected the brain, and made him imbecile and childish, but not violent. As he was absolutely harmless, witness thought the kindest and best thing was to allow him to remain home. Latterly MRS SYMONS and himself had spoken about getting him away again, simply because the constant watching necessitated had proved rather too much for her. Of course, he (witness) did not apprehend that anything of this sort would happen and he did not now think for a moment that SYMONS had taken his life. ["Nor do I" interposed the Coroner.] MRS SYMONS had looked after her husband in every possible way; no one could have done more for him. In his opinion, death was due to heart failure through exposure as the result of falling into the stream. The body had not the appearance of that of a man who had been drowned. MR SYMONS was inclined to be helpless in the legs and with the load he had on him it would be very difficult to get up after he fell. Indeed, owing to the disease from which he was suffering, he had sometimes a difficulty in standing up. His death seemed to be purely the result of an accident. - The Coroner's verdict was that death was due to heart failure, the result of Accidentally Falling into the Stream.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 20 February 1919
BRATTON FLEMING - JAS. MAKIN, clerk in the employ of the Board of Trade Timber Supplies Department, died suddenly on Friday. At the Inquest on Monday, Dr W. J. Harper said death was due to heart failure, and a verdict of Death from Natural Causes was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 27 February 1919
ALVERDISCOTT - Suicide At Alverdiscott. - Mr George Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest at Alverdiscott, on the body of HENRY PHEAR, gardener. - THOMAS PHEAR, son, stated that on Tuesday, 18th, he saw his father just after dinner, when he remarked that he would go out for a walk. He then appeared to be in his usual health and state of mind. About an hour and a half later he was passing, with a load of hay, by an old quarry about 150 yards from the house, when he saw deceased's cap and stick lying by the edge of the quarry. On going over, he saw his father lying just under the water. - Answering the Coroner, witness said he did not attempt to take the body out, but went for help. When assistance arrived, the body was not removed until the Police came. - Dr Ellis Pearson, Bideford, said he had attended deceased, and saw him about five days ago. Deceased had been suffering from cancer in the throat and had undergone three operations. He seemed rather disappointed that the last operation had not been very successful. Death was due to drowning. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide by Drowning" and commented on the erroneous idea prevalent in the district that no one could touch a body until the arrival of the Police. He pointed out that whoever found a body should immediately endeavour to satisfy himself whether life was extinct or whether anything could be done to revive a person so found. If life was extinct, then the body should be left where it was until the arrival of the Police. In the present instance the man might have only been in the water a minute or so, but he did not think such was the case, because the son stated that the water was quite still and there was no movement of any sort.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 20 March 1919
ROSE ASH - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" namely influenza, and acute congestion of the lungs, was returned at an Inquest held by Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, at Roseash, on Monday, on the body of ELIAS NOTT, 56, retired farmer, of Ash Moor Cottage, Roseash, who was found dead in bed on Thursday last.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 24 April 1919
COMBE MARTIN - Suicide Of A Domestic Servant At Combe Martin. - Under tragic circumstances, the death has occurred at Combe Martin of FLORENCE HUXTABLE, aged 21, daughter of a labourer. - At the Inquest in the Town Hall on Good Friday, MRS HUXTABLE stated that her daughter returned from service at Bexhill about three weeks previously, and was going into a fresh situation on April 16th. On Wednesday night deceased retired to rest in her usual good health, sleeping in the same bed with witness. Next morning she heard her daughter get out of bed and go to the dressing table. Witness asked the time, and deceased having replied 6.15, got into bed again within a minute. As witness had her back towards her daughter, she did not see what she was doing, but within a few minutes witness heard peculiar noises, and asked what was the matter, receiving no reply. Witness called her husband, who went for the doctor. - Dr N. S. Manning spoke to finding the young woman unconscious, with traces of corrosive poison in her mouth. He endeavoured to get suitable antidotes down her throat, the condition which, however, made this impossible. Witness attended and did what he could during the day, the death occurred the same evening. In a recess by the side of the bed was a cup containing carbolic acid used for putting down drains and deceased must have taken at least half a cupful. A post mortem revealed that the mouth, throat and pipes leading to the stomach were corroded by the acid, the latter being so pronounced that witness even burnt his hands. Death was due to taking crude carbolic acid. - P.C. Jarman stated that he had been unable to discover that deceased purchased the carbolic acid locally, whilst he could find no trace of a bottle or receptacle of any sort. He could only surmise that deceased bought the fluid with her from Bexhill. - The Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, said the only verdict he could possibly return was that of Suicide.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 1 May 1919
LYNTON - It was with deep sorrow that residents heard of the sudden passing away of MR JOE DELBRIDGE, of Barbrook Mill on Thursday last. He was seeing Mr E. Hole, of the Cottage Hotel, on business, when he collapsed and expired instantly. Deceased, who was about 69 years of age, was a robust, fine-looking man, and had carried on business as a carpenter at Barbrook for many years. He was much respected for his strictly upright life, and will be much missed in the outer district especially. At the Inquest held on Saturday by Mr G. W. F. Brown, the medical evidence, after post mortem examination, stated death to have resulted from Natural Causes, there having been valvular trouble of the heart.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 5 June 1919
BRAUNTON - Fatal Fall At Braunton. - An Inquest was held at Wrafton on Tuesday touching the death of WILLIAM COTTLE, retired seaman and old age pensioner, of Wrafton. - Mrs C. Parkhouse, a neighbour, stated that the old man lived by himself. She often called on him mornings to see if he was all right. On Sunday last, about 9 a.m., she called on him and got no answer, the door being locked. She called her husband - James Parkhouse - who stated that he was called by his wife, who could not get into the house. He got in by the bedroom window, and found the old man at the bottom of the stairs, unconscious. They at once sent for Dr Wright, of Braunton. - Dr Wright stated that he was called to visit COTTLE, as stated. He found that he had evidently fallen downstairs, fracturing his skull and dislocating his right shoulder. He attended to him and ordered him not to be left. COTTLE passed away on Tuesday morning. - The Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 12 June 1919
LANDKEY - Mr G. W. F. Brown held an Inquest at Landkey touching the death of EMMA JANE VERNEY, wife of a labourer. The husband, JOHN VERNEY, said she complained of feeling ill soon after going to bed on May 27th, and died within a few minutes. - Dr S. R. Gibbs, of Barnstaple, who made a post mortem examination, said the valves and arteries of the heart were chalky and the heart was very small. He attributed death to atheroma and cardiac failure, and the Coroner returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

NORTHAM - Mr Geo. F. Brown, Coroner, held an Inquest at Appledore, on Saturday evening, touching the death of WILLIAM KEEN, fisherman, who was taken suddenly ill early on Friday morning while out fishing with his son. Dr Valentine, who said death was due to syncope, drew attention to the lack of a suitable place at Appledore in which to conduct a post mortem. In the present case he had to carry out the post mortem on the floor of the sitting room of the house. The Court promised to make representations to the proper quarters. A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PARRACOMBE - Visitor's Sudden Death At Parracombe. - MR JOHN CLARK AVERY, aged 71, wine and spirit merchant, of Bristol, who intended spending a few days' holiday in North Devon, died suddenly shortly after his arrival at Parracombe, on Wednesday evening. - At the Inquest at Parracombe, before Mr G. W.F. Brown, County Coroner for North Devon, on Thursday, evidence showed that MR AVERY arrived by the last train, and asked Mr Delbridge to drive him to Kittytoe Farm. He had a cup of tea with Mr Delbridge whilst waiting for the latter's son to get ready to take his baggage on a bicycle and then proceeded to walk up the hill. MR AVERY had, however, only walked about one hundred yards when he fell down and died almost immediately. CLIFFORD AVERY, son, said his father had been attended by a doctor at Bristol for heart trouble for some years; and Dr Cummings, of Lynton, attributed death to heart failure (a post mortem showing that the heart was dilated), the result of exertion by walking up the hill. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

NORTHAM - Fatal Accident At Northam. - At Orchard Hill, Northam, yesterday, Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest on COL. THOS. DIGBY, of Woodland, aged 68. Leslie Cloke spoke to seeing deceased cycling, not very fast, down Bone Hill towards the Westward Ho! Golf Links on May 29th, when he seemed to be thrown over the handlebars, falling heavily on the road. He was unconscious when witness got to him and the bicycle was broken in two. - Dr Francis, who was quickly on the scene, said the Colonel had a cut over the right eyebrow and abrasions on his elbows and hands. He was unconscious and witness took him in a car to his home, where his regular medical attendant, Dr E. J. Toye, took over the case. Dr Toye said deceased only regained consciousness for a day or so about a week after the accident, but could say nothing about how it happened. Both doctors were present at a post mortem and agreed that death was due to cerebral haemorrhage, probably caused by the impact when deceased struck the ground. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and expressed sympathy with the family.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 19 June 1919
MOLLAND - While cycling down a hill last week, FREDERICK JAMES POOK, son of a farmer, crashed into a motor car, which was stationary, sustaining injuries, which proved fatal. At the Inquest a verdict of Accidental Death was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 26 June 1919
ABBOTSHAM - On Saturday last about 1.30 a.m. MRS ELIZABETH EASTON, a widow, of Abbotsham Village, aged 74 years, was found dead in bed. It appears that at 12.45 a.m. the deceased was not feeling very well and called her son, ARCHIBALD EASTON, who at once went to her assistance and seeing the condition that she was in called a sister-in-law, EMILY EASTON, who lives near. She also went to the assistance of the deceased, but found that she had expired. Her son also went for assistance. The facts of the case were communicated to the Coroner, Mr Brown, of Barnstaple, who held an Inquest the same evening. Dr Grose of Bideford, who had conducted a post mortem examination, stated that death was due to Natural Causes, and the Coroner returned a verdict accordingly.

COMBE MARTIN - Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest at Combe Martin yesterday (Wednesday) on the body of MARY LEY, an old lady of 92, who passed away on Tuesday. It transpired that on the 13th March last her daughter (MISS HENRIETTA LEY) went to her mother's room about nine o'clock and found that she had fallen to the floor and had received severe bruises on the right side of the head and the right loin. Dr Manning deposed that he attended deceased from the time of the accident to the date of her death, and did what he could for her. In his opinion death was due to shock following the accident. A verdict in accordance with the medical testimony was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 3 July 1919
BIDEFORD - Fatal Accident At Bideford. - Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest at Bideford Hospital on Thursday afternoon on WINIFRED NORAH STONEMAN, aged 11, daughter of MRS CLARA STONEMAN, of Hart-street, Bideford, who died as the result of being knocked down by a motor car driven by Mr Wiley, of the Bath Hotel, Westward Ho! The accident happened in Mill-street at a dangerous corner between the top of Bridgeland-street and North-road. The evidence showed that the child must have run out from behind another vehicle just as the car was passing. There was no blame attaching to the driver of the car, and the Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 10 July 1919
NORTH MOLTON - Death Of Northmolton Farmer's Son. - At South Ley Farm, Northmolton, on Thursday, Mr George Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest concerning the death of CYRIL GEORGE TUCKER, the eleven-year-old son of WILLIAM TUCKER, farmer. The evidence showed that on 25th April last the boy was sent to Nadrid Farm, Northmolton, by his father with a message, and left on a pony which he had been accustomed to ride for many months. Later he was brought back to the farm by Mr Westcott in a dazed condition and said, "I am going to die." - The father stated that when he had somewhat recovered the boy told him that he was endeavouring to get up on the pony outside Nadrid Farm, when the animal became restive and bolted, he (the boy) being dragged along the road with his foot in the stirrup. He did not remember anything else. - Dr Seal, of Southmolton, said in his opinion death was due to osteo myelitis and septicaemia. Although it was not certain that the accident had any bearing on the cause of death, yet it might have reduced the boy's general vitality. - The Coroner returned a verdict of Death from Natural Causes as certified by the doctor.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 17 July 1919
BARNSTAPLE - Terrible Bathing Fatalities Near Barnstaple. Four Bickington Boys Swept Away By The Tide. - The most terrible bathing tragedies ever remembered in the River Taw occurred on Friday evening, when no fewer than four boys from the village of Bickington, near Barnstaple, were carried away by the tide and drowned. The victims were ARTHUR CORNISH, aged 13, son of MRS MABEL HARRIS, a widow; CUTHBERT THOMAS HAMPDEN WHALLEY, aged 12, son of MR and MRS JOHN J. WHALLEY, of Victoria Cottage; ARTHUR BENNETT, aged 12, son of MRS BENNETT, a widow; and LESLIE LONGMAN, aged 11, son of MR J. LONGMAN, who is absent on military service. - Most, if not all, of the boys were scholars at Bickington School, after leaving which in the afternoon a party of eleven proceeded to a spot known as the Salt Marsh, of Penhill, for the purpose of bathing. The party included, in addition to the deceased boys, George H. Rodd, F. Bailey, R. Shaddick, C. Burridge, A. Gaydon, Frank Thorne, and T. Hobbs. The boys had not been in the water long before the tide commenced to flow so strongly that Rodd strongly advised the deceased boys, who were close by, to also return, but this advice appeared to be ignored, and Rodd and his companions were horrified on turning round a minute or so later to find that CORNISH, WHALLEY, BENNETT and LONGMAN had been carried away by the tide. An alarm was speedily given, but, alas, nothing could be done for the unfortunate boys, who, indeed, were not again seen alive. - Nothing was known of the tragedy at Barnstaple until nearly two hours later, when P.C. Manley, on Taw Vale Parade, happened to see a body floating up the river which turned out to be that of WHALLEY. Without divesting himself of his clothing, Mr Chas. Sanders jumped into the river and brought the body to the slip near the boathouse. Dr A. W. Lemarchand, who was promptly on the scene, tried artificial respiration for half an hour, but without result, the body being then conveyed to the mortuary at the North Devon Infirmary. When news of the occurrence became known a search party was at once instituted at Bickington, whilst dragging operations were commenced on the river. Shortly after nine o'clock the same evening, Mr Gifford, of Barnstaple and P.C. Disney, of Fremington, found the respective bodies of LONGMAN and BENNETT close to the spot where they had been drowned. The bodies were subsequently temporarily placed in buildings adjoining the Post Office at Bickington. - It is hardly necessary to state that the inhabitants of Barnstaple and district were profoundly moved by the tragedies, regret that four highly promising lads had thus lost their lives, and sympathy with the bereaved families, being general. - Mr A. R. Sargent, headmaster at Bickington School, in a chat with our representative, said that hundreds of boys at Fremington and Bickington had passed through his hands during his 35 years' tenure at the School, and this was the first case of drowning that had ever occurred in connection with the School. There were no bathing facilities in the district, and boys were continually warned that if they could not swim they should keep to the ponds adjoining the river, and this they generally did. Speaking with emotion, Mr Sargent referred in terms of the highest praise to the deceased boys, some of whom, he added, possessed characteristics that might well have fitted them to become Empire-builders. Additional pathos is lent to the tragedy by reason of the fact that CORNISH'S father was drowned in a ferry disaster at Appledore some years ago; whilst the father of BENNETT fell in action in the great War. - The first Inquest on the body of the boy CUTHBERT THOMAS HAMPDEN WHALLEY, aged 12, was held by the Borough Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, at the North Devon Infirmary, at three o'clock on Saturday afternoon. - The father said he gave his son permission to go and bathe the previous evening between 4.15 and 4.30. - The Coroner: You knew nothing about the river or its dangers? - MR WHALLEY (who mentioned that he had only resided in the district a couple of years): I know all rivers are dangerous when boys cannot swim. As far as he knew, his boy could not swim, but he did not want to deny the boy the pleasure of a bathe. Witness added that her had been told since that a very powerful swimmer "had no chance" in that river. - The Coroner: That may or may not be. It depends on circumstances. - George Rodd, of Bickington, an intelligent youth, who gave his age as sixteen, and said he was a clerk, related how he met deceased and other boys and went to the river to bathe, the party altogether numbering eleven. It was about 25 minutes to five when they went out and the tide had already begun to flow. When witness found that the current was getting pretty strong, he advised his comrades to come in with him and dress. He was the last to see the four deceased, who, when he left the water, were not far away, WHALLEY being then in about three feet of water. All four of the deceased were then in the water. There was nothing to prevent them from returning to the shore also, if they had chosen to do so. No one saw either of them in difficulties. After witness had partly dressed he asked his companions on the bank where the others were, and they all looked around, but could see nothing of them. One of the boys suggested they might have gone down the river catching young wild duck, which abound there, but they were nowhere to be found. Asked what he thought happened to the deceased, witness said the current must have swept them right off their legs, because the tide was running very swiftly. Witness spoke to a railway packer whom they saw on the line, and he asked if they had seen anything floating up the river. Witness told him they had lost their four companions and the man, named Watts, said the object he had seen in the water looked like the top of a straw hat, and ventured the opinion that it might be one of the boys. None of the lads could swim. - The Coroner: There was no chance of your doing anything if you had seen them in difficulties? - No, but we should have tried. We did not know anything was the matter until we lost sight of them. WHALLEY could float a little. - Charles Sanders, a blacksmith, spoke to jumping into the river (between 6 and 6.30 p.m.) from a boat just off the Taw Vale Parade, and bringing ashore WHALLEY'S body, which had been observed floating on the tide. Witness thought life was extinct when it was landed. - The Coroner warmly commended Sanders' prompt and plucky action. - P.C. Manley also thought the body was lifeless when brought ashore. He had had a good deal of experience of the river and considered the tide must have been running like a mill-stream at the spot where the lads were bathing, and they must have been carried off their feet. Even a strong swimmer would not have had any chance unless he knew the river. - Dr A. W. Lemarchand said artificial respiration, tried for some time, proved unavailing and he attributed death to suffocation from submersion. - The Coroner pointed out the great importance of recovering a body from the water without any delay, as there might still be a chance of life. He returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned whilst Bathing in the River Taw." He proceeded to comment on the particularly sad and painful nature of the tragedy and said he had done his very utmost, personally and as Coroner, having a very great experience of the river, both boating and swimming, to warn people -boys and others - of the extreme danger of bathing in the river. - Time and again, in letters to the public Press and at Inquests he had urged that the river was not safe to bathe in at any time or at any place, for anyone who was not a very strong or experienced swimmer, without a boat and effective assistance at hand. He pointed out that strong currents caused he sane frequently to shift, creating pits where the day prior, perhaps, it was level sand. He characterised the river as treacherous and emphasised the fact of its unsafe nature. He expressed heartfelt sympathy with the parents and relatives of those who had lost their lives. - MR WHALLEY: Don't you think something could be done to prevent small children and people not capable of swimming taking the risk? The Constabulary of the County should be warned, and be able to check boys and others from visiting the river to bathe. - The Coroner: It is a very difficult matter to deal with. - MR WHALLEY suggested that if the Police were given a certain amount of control, it might stop many of these fatalities. They would continue, unless something drastic was done. - The Coroner: If anything could be done, the Authorities, I know, would be happy to do it, but it is a difficult matter indeed. If there was a bathing place for Barnstaple, and another for Fremington and another for Ashford, you would find boys would not go there - they would go into the river. - The Father: Let there be a penalty attached to their doing so, if found. - The Coroner said the only practical suggestion, as far as he could see, would be that a place should be set aside in the river, with an attendant, life-saving appliances and a boat in attendance; then boys and others could bathe with a minimum of danger. That might be done at Barnstaple, but whether it would be effectual in other parts of the river he did not know. - MR WHALLEY: Extremely doubtful. He asked whether a bye-law could not be made regarding river bathing. Some rivers were perfectly safe. - The Coroner: That may be. - The Father: There are others like this one, unsafe for practically everybody. - The Coroner ventured the opinion that no one could swim against the incoming tide in their river. He thought perhaps a bye-law could be made dealing with the point raised. - MR WHALLEY: That is what I am trying to get at. - The Coroner did not know whether it would be possible to make a bye-law dealing with the river outside the borough boundary. - MR WHALLEY: It would be effective if boys knew that constabulary had instructions to bring them before the magistrates if found in the river bathing. - The Coroner said no doubt the proper authorities would do something in the matter, and he promised to write, calling their attention to what had been said. It was impossible to over-estimate the dangers of the river. - BICKINGTON - In Bickington Schoolroom the same afternoon, Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner for North Devon, investigated the death of ARTHUR H. BENNETT and LESLIE FREDERICK LONGMAN. Assisted into the room, the mothers of the two boys evoked general sympathy, both being in tears and bearing evidences of great mental suffering. Mr A. Sergent, the Headmaster of the School, was among those present. - EMMA BENNETT, wife of WILLIAM H. BENNETT, labourer, stated that her son was eleven years of age last April. She visited Barnstaple on Friday, and the last time she saw her son alive was nine o'clock in the morning. Deceased had been in the habit of going to bathe with other boys, but as far as she knew he could not swim. - "He had never been taught" interposed another lady. - George H. Rodd repeated the evidence he had given before the Borough Coroner as to going to bathe about 4.30 with the other boys and to deciding to return to the bank when he found the tide coming up strongly. The deceased boys were close to him when he advised them to also return, but they made no answer. Turning round when putting on his trousers, he remarked to a companion that he could not see the deceased boys, his companion agreeing. Witness again went out as far as he could, but could see nothing. Mr Watts, a platelayer, who came along said he had seen something floating up the river, his reply being "Yes, we have just lost four of our boys." There were pits at the spot, but nothing but what the boys could cross. They were in about three feet of water when witness left them and he did not hear any calls afterwards. - In answer to Mr Brown, witness said the tide was coming up strongly, and in his opinion the under current took the deceased boys off their feet and carried them away. He had bathed there before. The current was very strong the previous night. None of them could swim. Later he informed the Police. - P.C. Disney, who was notified of what had happened about 6.15 the previous evening, stated that a search party included P.C's Parr, Leach, and himself. About 9.15 p.m. witness found BENNETT'S body in the salt marsh, close to where the boys had been bathing. There was a gut between the two banks and a bit of a sandhill across the gut which would break the tide as it came up. A little later the body of LONGMAN was found. - MRS BESSIE LONGMAN, mother of LESLIE FREDERICK LONGMAN, stated that her son was eleven years of age. Her husband, a tailor by trade, was absent in the Army. She last saw her son alive between one and two o'clock on Friday. Witness was not at home when he came home to tea, and told the little girl he was going bathing. Deceased had been accustomed to bathe, but had never learnt to swim. - Thos. Gifford stated that he was in a boat when he learnt that some boys had been drowned and proceeded to the spot. Found the body of LONGMAN lying about half a gunshot away from that of the other boy. The body was face downwards. Witness knew nothing about the river. - The Coroner thought it exceedingly sad that four strong healthy boys should be cut off in their early years in this way. They had been accustomed to go to the river to bathe, as boys would do, and he thought all boys should be allowed to bathe, if possible. There could, however, be no doubt that the spot in question was not a fit one. The tide ran very strongly at the point, and in this case the boys stayed too long in the water, and were cut off by the tide and washed away. His verdict could only be one of "Accidentally Drowned whilst Bathing," and he was sure general sympathy went out to the parents in their bereavement. - The Inquest on the boy, ARTHUR JOHN CORNISH, whose body was recovered from the river on Saturday night, was held at the North Devon Infirmary, on Monday afternoon by the Borough Coroner, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft. - MRS MABEL ELLEN HARRIS, widow of FREDERICK J. HARRIS, who died while on service in the War, identified the body as that of her son, and said he was 13 years of age. She last saw the deceased at 1.30 on Friday, when he had had his dinner and was going to school. - George Rodd repeated the evidence he gave at the former Inquests, mentioning that when he arrived at Salt Marsh, CORNISH was already in the water. - P.S. Braund, of the Borough Police Force, said he was on duty in the Square on Saturday night about 11 o'clock when he received information that there was a body in the river. He, in company with P.C. Taylor, recovered the body from the river a little way from the bridge, on the Seven Brethren's bank side. Life was extinct and he conveyed the body to the Mortuary at the Infirmary. - The Coroner, in bringing in a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned," expressed sympathy with the relatives, and emphasised the extreme and terrible danger of bathing in the treacherous Taw.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 7 August 1919
GOODLEIGH - Found Dead In A Barnstaple Field. - Dr Ellis Pearson, Deputy Coroner for North Devon, held an Inquest at Goodleigh, on Tuesday evening, on the body of JAMES PASSMORE, 53, labourer, of Hardaway Head, Barnstaple, who was found dead in a field at Ivy Lodge on Sunday afternoon. Mrs Georgina Broom, who identified the body, said deceased left home at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning to go and pick some apples and did not return. He had complained of internal pains during the previous week and was also subject to fits. Mabel Ellen Gear, servant, in the employ of Mr J. Stanbury at Ivy Lodge Farm, spoke to finding the body lying in a field where she went to fetch cows. Dr H. C. Jonas of Barnstaple, said a post-mortem examination revealed valvular disease of the heart, to which he attributed death. The Coroner returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 21 August 1919
COMBE MARTIN - Drowning Fatality At Combe Martin.- The North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, attended at the Town Hall on Saturday for the purpose of Inquiring into the matter of a sad case of drowning. The subject of the Inquiry was LAURENCE PARNELL, aged 16, one of a party of eight youths belonging to an Orphanage at Shawhill, Birmingham, who have been camping out in a field near the sea. It appears that two or three of the lads went down to bathe on Friday morning at no great distance from the Coastguard Station, PARNELL being drowned. - William Toone, in giving evidence, stated that a party went down to bathe as usual. His companion, PARNELL, was the first to enter the water, and soon got into difficulties. He tried to reach him, but failed to do so as he could not swim. There were a number of boatmen about. He whistled, but did not shout out. He called for one of his companions who could swim, and the both went for a boatman. - The Coroner asked why he did not shout, the reply of witness being to the effect that he never thought about it. - Michael Grady, another lad, also admitted that he too never shouted for help to the boatmen. - Asked by the Coroner why he did not do so, he replied that he was dressing himself as fast as he could, and was unable to shout. The Coroner remarked that it was a very strange thing indeed for neither of the two lads to shout for help in a case like that. - Thomas Gould, boatman, stated that upon being spoken to by one who appeared to be in charge of the camp, he at once proceeded to row to the place indicated. After diving a time or two found deceased in about seven feet of water. He took him out, placed him in a boat and rowed ashore. He at once went up to the Police Station. - Robert Mills Hall (a visitor), a medical practitioner, of Enfield, stated that being informed of the case, he went down to the beach and saw the body of deceased. Life was extinct. Every effort was made to bring him round, but without result. He had been under water he should say about a quarter of an hour. - Lewis Johnson, a member of the Orphanage party, also gave evidence. - The Coroner remarked that it was a sad case. He could not say that two of the witnesses had acted with very great presence of mind, for instead of shouting, as one thought they ought to have done at once, one of them whistled and the other was too much engaged in getting his clothes on to shout. It was undoubtedly a life thrown away, for had Thomas Gould been called he could have been at the spot in about a couple of minutes and rescued the unfortunate lad. The verdict was "Accidentally Drowned." - The medical practitioner kindly gave his fee of a guinea to be shared between Thomas Gould and Raymond Irwin, another boatman, who died several times in the attempt to rescue deceased.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 28 August 1919
WEST ANSTEY. - Mr George W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest at West Anstey, on Friday, on the body of the infant son of MR and MRS HENRY FOLLETT, of Church House. The evidence of the father showed that his wife engaged Nurse Billings, of Dulverton, some time ago to attend her in her expected confinement. Prior to the 16th inst. his wife had been ill for several days, and on the morning of the 16th she was much worse and he then proceeded to fetch the nurse from Dulverton at 9 a.m. Whilst he was away the confinement took place, but there was no one in the house to render assistance. The nurse came back with him and immediately did what was necessary. The child lived three days. Witness had asked one person to come to look after his wife, but she was unable to do so. - Asked by the coroner how he expected his wife to care for herself, witness said she had done so on previous occasions. - Nurse Billings said she was engaged some time ago by MRS FOLLETT to attend her in her confinement, and promised to come when sent for. MR FOLLETT fetched her on the morning of the 16th, and on arrival witness found that the woman had been confined and had attended to herself. There was no one in the house except MRS FOLLETT and the child when she arrived. She had previously begged the mother to have someone in to look after her after her confinement, as witness could not stay more than one day. Both the wife and the husband promised to do this. When witness was about to leave she asked who was going to look after MRS FOLLETT, and she said she had got no one. Witness then promised to visit her again on Monday, the 18th, if the husband would fetch her, it being seven miles to Dulverton, but the husband would not do this. The child was a healthy one, and apparently all right when she left. - Dr Sydenham stated that he was called on the 19th inst., and the child was then dead. He had not been asked to attend before. He had made a post-mortem examination of the body and in his opinion death was due to suffocation, owing, he presumed, to the child lying on its mother's breast, face downward, during the night. There were no marks of violence on the body. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Suffocation," and severely censured the father for his neglect in not getting someone to look after his wife and child after the nurse had left.

LYNTON - Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner, held an Inquest at the Foresters' Hall, Lynton, on the body of MRS AMELIA CRISTOBEL HUNTER, a widow, aged about 43, of Catteral, Worcestershire, who died suddenly soon after her arrival at Lynton. Mrs Bovey, wife of Dr Bovey, of Bampton, deposed to seeing the deceased last alive on Thursday at 12.30 p.m., when she left for Lynton. Capt. J. H. R. Lingen, a friend, said after dinner they walked to Lynmouth. While walking up the hill the deceased became very short of breath and showed signs of distress. Soon after reaching the Castle Hotel she collapsed and passed away before medical aid could be obtained. Dr H. J. Edwards, who had made a post mortem examination, assisted by Dr Cummings, said the valves of the heart were much diseased and the heart itself very fatty. The Coroner's verdict was in accordance with the medical evidence.

SAUNTON - Sad Bathing Fatality At Saunton. Barnstaple Tradesman The Victim. - No more painful sensation has been caused at Barnstaple for a long period than by the news received on Thursday evening that MR GEORGE HENRY SYMONS, a well-known master painter and house decorator, of Newport, had been drowned whilst bathing at Saunton. - A party, comprising MR and MRS SYMONS and members of his family and friends, left Barnstaple for Saunton in a waggonette for a day's outing on Thursday and at about one o'clock some of the number decided to go for a bathe, entering the water at a point not far from the rocks. The water was, as usual at Saunton, somewhat choppy, but no danger whatever was apprehended and indeed, save for MR SYMONS, all returned safely to the shore. MR SYMONS, who was able to swim and was not far out when last seen, was considered to be on the way back to land, when he was suddenly missed. Horrified members of the party hastened into the water for the purpose of rendering any assistance which might be necessary, but MR SYMONS, alas, was not again seen, and all efforts to locate the body failed until it was found about six p.m. the coastguard and the Police having meanwhile joined in the search. It is assumed that MR SYMONS was drowned, either by being swept away by the strong under-current, or as the result of his breathing being affected after he entered the water. The spot selected by the party was the recognised one for bathing at Saunton and no similar fatality has occurred at Saunton for very many years. - A native of Barnstaple, MR SYMONS, who was 56 years of age, served his apprenticeship as a painter with Mr James Bale (who is now in America) and afterwards worked for Mr George Bale, of Newport: whilst for many years up to his death he had carried on a highly successful business at 107 Newport Road, being associated in the business with his son, MR HAROLD SYMONS. The deceased was in every respect a model citizen, and there was no man who was held in higher esteem in Barnstaple and district. Of a most cheery disposition, MR SYMONS took a great interest in the affairs of his native town. A keen politician and a staunch Liberal, he was a prominent member of the Liberal Club, Cross-street, and was ever ready to lend a helping hand to the progressive cause, whilst at the same time greatly enjoying and participating in the pastimes provided at the Club. MR SYMONS'S untimely death represents a great loss to the Liberal cause and the people of Barnstaple will generally deplore the tragic death of so highly esteemed a citizen. - MR SYMONS leaves a widow, two sons (one of whom recently returned home after lengthy service with the Devons in India) and a daughter. - The sad circumstances attending MR SYMONS'S death were investigated by Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner for North Devon, on Friday evening. - Alfred James Palmer, nephew of the deceased, identified the body and said deceased and himself were members of a party which visited Saunton for an outing on Thursday, and about 1.15 p.m. when the tide was coming in, several of them went for a bathe. MR SYMONS was a very good swimmer, but neither of them went out very far into the water: in fact, they did not go out of their depth. All the party left the water after about a quarter of an hour except the deceased, and they glanced around as they went up to dress and saw him, but on looking subsequently they could see no sign of him, although they went to the water's edge and walked along the beach for a considerable distance, and also afterwards, looked from the cliff. The spot where they went to bathe was about fifty yards from the rocks at the beginning of Saunton Sands, but when they left the water they were about 150 yards down. - The Coroner: Did you feel any current? - A.: Well, just slightly, it was a bit of a pull to get out of the water so far as I was concerned. None of the others were affected. Witness said he was a bit further down than the rest of the party. Answering further questions, witness said he heard no call whatever from MR SYMONS - not a sound of any sort. As far as he knew, deceased was quite well before he went into the water, but he was subject to attacks of shortness of wind, which took him very severely occasionally. He had, however, not complained of anything of this nature that day. - Q.: If the tide were coming in how was it the body was not washed in? - A.: I can only presume it was owing to the current. Witness added that when deceased had attacks, such as he had spoken of, he was absolutely helpless and witness was confident, in his own mind, that he had an attack whilst in the water, because MR SYMONS was a man never to lose presence of mind and if he had a fighting chance he would have managed to save himself. - The Coroner: You think he might have been taken ill whilst in the water? - A.: I think it is very possible. Shortness of breath would have made it impossible for deceased to have called for help. He was simply helpless when he had these attacks, but they were not frequent at all. Deceased was not out of his depth. The water was not higher than his waist. - Harold E. Mitchell spoke to recovering the body while bathing at about three-quarter ebb tide, shortly after 6.30 the same evening. It was out just beyond witness's depth, floating in the water face downwards, when he observed it and brought it in. - The Coroner: Did you feel any current? - A.: Just the ordinary. I have bathed there before, and I did not notice anything more than usual. The spot where he found the body was about half a mile up from the rocks. Witness added that the waves were pretty big at the time he bathed. - The Coroner said the peculiar thing about the tragedy was that MR SYMONS could swim and was only practically up to his waist in the water when the other members of the party left him. He (the Coroner) thought some way or another deceased must have been taken ill and was carried by the current further up the sands and drowned. He returned a verdict of "Accidental Drowning." - The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon, the interment in the Cemetery being preceded by a service at Newport Wesleyan Church, at which MR SYMONS was accustomed to worship. Rev. H. Rosson Hudson, officiating at the impressive service, made feeling reference to the tragedy and voiced the sympathy of all with the bereaved family. MR SYMONS was, he said, a faithful attendant and supporter of their church and his death was greatly mourned. the immediate mourners were the widow: Mrs Croxall (London), daughter; Messrs. Harold and Hector Symons, sons; Messrs. C. Symons (Port Talbot), and W. Symons, brothers; Mrs Rich )London), and Mr and Mrs J. Matthews (Tavistock), sisters and brother-in-law; Mr A. Croxall (London), son-in-law; Mr and Mrs J. Bale (Abbotsham); Messrs. C. and T. Bale (Bideford), Mr and Mrs J. C. Palmer (London), and Miss M. J. Bale (Bideford), brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Mr C. Whiddon and Mr and Mrs Samuel Symons (Lynton), and Mrs Couch, cousins; Mr C. Bale, jun. (Bideford), Mr and Mrs A. J. Palmer (London), Mr W. Symons and Mr E. Symons (Bishops Tawton), nephews; Mr Sands and Miss Gobell (London), Mr Symons (Snapper), Mr George Couch and Mr W. Beer, jun. plus general sympathisers.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 11 September 1919
BARNSTAPLE - Boy Drowned At Barnstaple. Father And Daughter Rescued. - On Tuesday evening, FREDERICK DELVE, aged two years, son of MR HENRY DELVE, of 20 Higher Maudlin Street, was drowned through falling into the Yeo near Pilton Quay, and a little sister and the father, who both went to the rescue, had a narrow escape. - The Inquest was held yesterday at the North Devon Infirmary by Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, Borough Coroner. The evidence showed that the little boy, whilst at play on the bank, fell into the water, and his little sister, FLORENCE MAY DELVE, promptly went to the rescue, but failed to get hold of her brother. Meanwhile another child, WILLIAM H. DELVE, had fetched deceased's father, who was at work in Mr Berry's mill, and he immediately went into the water to save his two children. He succeeded in getting hold of his daughter and was sinking for the second time when Mr James Stewart, of Clifton Street, Sticklepath, Barnstaple, waded into the water fully dressed and brought MR DELVE to the shore and then swam after the little girl and brought her safely in. The child was unconscious. Meanwhile nothing had been seen of the deceased, and the sad conclusion was drawn that he had been drowned. The Police were informed, and P.C. Taylor, with others, instituted a search, the body being found about 9 p.m., three hours after the tragedy, by Mr Joseph Parminter. Evidence was given by HENRY DELVE (the father), WILLIAM HENRY DELVE (brother), FLORENCE MAY DELVE (sister), James Stewart, Samuel L. Batten, labourer, Ernest Jeffrey, seaman, and P.C. W. Taylor. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned," and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family. He highly commended the prompt and gallant action of Mr James Stewart and promised to report it to the proper authorities. He also eulogised the services rendered by Seaman Jeffrey, who rendered artificial respiration, but for which the little girl might have died.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 2 October 1919
BARNSTAPLE - Sad Cycling Fatality Near Barnstaple. - At the North Devon Infirmary, Barnstaple, on Thursday afternoon, Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, Borough Coroner, Inquired into the death of FREDERICK T. G. HILL, carpenter, aged 22, who, as reported in our last issue, sustained fatal injuries as the result of being thrown from his bicycle at Goodleigh the previous evening. The deceased, who was a son of MR EDMUND HILL, painter, of Richmond-street, Barnstaple, was an esteemed employee of Messrs. Cooke and Sons, builders, of Bear-street, Mr Fred Cooke (a member of the firm) being present at the Inquest. - ANNIE M. HILL (deceased's mother) stated that her son left home the previous morning in his usual health. He was demobilised in March last from the 6th Devons, in which he had served since 1914, having been to Mesopotamia, Egypt and Salonica. Her son bought the bicycle which he was using on the previous Friday and he was a good rider. She knew of nothing to account for the accident. - William Burgess, mason, in the employ of Messrs. Cooke and Sons, stated that several of the men were working at Wellesleigh House, Goodleigh, deceased as a carpenter and joiner. On the previous afternoon they left Wellesleigh just after 5 o'clock. Witness had got about 300 yards down the drive, and was just going over the rails in order to cut off the corner, when deceased passed him on his bicycle. Almost immediately he saw that deceased had lost control of the machine, and in turn he heard deceased shout and a crash at the bottom of the hill. Running to the spot, witness found deceased on his back close to a tree, the bicycle being between the tree and some railings. Witness noticed some bark off the tree, against which he concluded deceased's head must have crashed. Immediately before the accident witness saw that HILL was coming to grief at the bottom of the hill, and it was evident that he was not able to turn the corner. He was afraid the brakes had failed to act; otherwise HILL would not have travelled at the rate he was going. Witness afterwards tried the back brake and found that it did not hold as it should (he could not however say whether this was not due to the machine having gone against the rails); while the front brake would not work having been smashed up in the impact. When he first came to deceased he found he was unconscious and a few moments afterwards he muttered something which was not coherent. One of the other workmen fetched some bandages, whilst a spring trap was also procured, in which HILL was removed to Barnstaple. Dr Jonas, who saw deceased, felt his pulse and then accompanied them to the Infirmary; life, however, by this time was extinct. - Dr F. L. Thomas, who saw deceased, in the mortuary at 7.15 p.m., thought that death might have occurred about half an hour previously. Death was due to dislocation of the neck, probably as the result of deceased crashing against the tree. - The Coroner, summing up, said deceased apparently lost control of his machine, but the cause of this was not clear. After the accident everything possible was done for the deceased, but it was a perfectly hopeless case from the beginning. He thought it very sad that a young man should have escaped the perils of the War in which we had taken part for many years, and then to come home and shortly afterwards be the victim of this accident. In returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" he was sure that general sympathy would go out to the parents and family in their terrible bereavement. - The funeral took place on Sunday, the interment being made in Barnstaple Cemetery amid many manifestations of general public sympathy. The funeral procession was a deeply imposing one, and hundreds of sympathisers, friends and others lined the route to the Cemetery as the funeral hour drew near. About two hundred members of the local branch of the Comrades of the Great War (of which deceased was a popular member) marched in the procession headed by their band (under Mr W. B. Cole) which beautifully rendered the Dead March in "Saul," as the cortege proceeded to the Cemetery. The coffin, covered with the Union Jack, was conveyed on a hand bier, the following Comrades acting as bearers:- Messrs. W. Phillips, P. Gregory, Glasby, T. Mogridge, J. Lewis, Alford, A. Roustone, F. Reed, B. Thorne, F. Thorne, W. Parker, C. Dunning, R. Sexon, W. Lock, T. Harris, and R. Darch. - The service at the graveside was conducted by the Rev. A. Fenton (Wesleyan) and at the close of the service the "Last Post" was sounded by Mr W. B. Cole. - The immediate mourners were MR and MRS EDMUND HILL (father and mother), Mrs Williams and Mr C. Hill (brother and sister), Mrs Ball and Mr H. Hill (brother and sister), Mrs K. Hill (sister), Miss Ethel Jones (fiancée), Mrs F. Webber (grandmother), Mr R. Williams (brother-in-law), Mr G. Hill (uncle), Mrs B. Barrow (aunt), Mr and Mrs W. Hill (uncle and aunt), Mr and Mrs J. Hill (uncle and aunt), Messrs. E. Hill, G. Barrow, F. Barrow, S. Hill, and W. Barrow (cousins), Mr and Mrs Hill (Sunflower-road), Mrs Jones, Miss B. Williams, Mr J. Williams, Mrs Sprague, Seaman Sprague, Mr and Mrs Hookway and others.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 9 October 1919
CREACOMBE - The death of BESSIE ANNIE GREENSLADE, aged 36 years, wife of FRUDE GREENSLADE, farmer, Creacombe, near Witheridge, which occurred under peculiar circumstances, was investigated by Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner. Deceased was found lying face downwards on a stone floor in the parlour of the farm on Monday morning, having been dead some hours. - Dr Mortimore, Southmolton, spoke of a medical appliance found under the body and was of opinion deceased fell in a faint on her mouth and hands and was suffocated. Had anyone been with her, her life would probably have been saved. - A verdict of "Accidental Suffocation" was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 16 October 1919
EXETER - Southmolton Man's Death In Exeter Prison. - Mr G. H. Stephens held an Inquest at the Devon County Prison on Thursday afternoon relative to the death of ARTHUR DUNN COCK, aged 56 years, whose home is at 25 Cooke's Cross, Southmolton. - Major R. A. Marriott, D.S.O. (Governor of the Devon County Prison) said deceased was a wood turner by trade, and was admitted to the Prison on September 6th on remand, on a charge of having attempted to commit suicide. - He died on the 7th inst. During the time he had been at the Prison he had been very ill, and had been given a proper bed in his cell and kept under observation. Later the doctor had him removed to the Infirmary. William Napper, St Anne's Road, Exeter, temporary attendant and Naval pensioner, said he had charge of deceased during the time he had been at the Prison. Asked by a Juryman whether the man had been troublesome, witness said he was not, but kept on talking to himself and was restless. Dr E. J. Y. Brash, acting Medical Attendant to the Prison, said deceased had suffered from tuberculosis of both lungs and the complaint must have been of long standing. He did not think death was due to the attempted suicide, but this may have hastened the end. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 30 October 1919
YARNSCOMBE - The North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W.F. Brown, conducted an Inquest at the Vicarage, Yarnscombe, touching the death of MR CHARLES SCOUGALL, aged 67 years, of independent means. Mrs Ellis, housekeeper to Rev. J. B. Singleton, said she had been housekeeper at the Vicarage for over 20 years, during the whole of which time deceased had resided there. On Sunday he had complained of feeling unwell and remained in bed all day. Witness saw him at 4.30 and promised to bring him tea at 5.30. When she arrived with the tea she found that he had passed away. - Dr Good attributed death to fatty degeneration of the heart and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 6 November 1919
HARTLAND - An Inquest was held by Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, (without a Jury) at Farford Farm, at 11.45 a.m. on Saturday, November 1st, on the body of CYRIL JAMES PROUSE, aged 3 years, son of JAMES PROUSE, Farford Cottage. Inspector Doidge, of Bideford, watched the case on behalf of the Police. - FRANCES BEATRICE PROUSE, the mother, stated that on Thursday she was washing in an adjoining untenanted cottage, leaving a small fire in the bodley of the kitchen where the children were. There was no fire guard. About 11.30 a.m. she heard her little girl EILEEN, twin sister of the deceased, calling out "Mammy, Fire!" Going into the house she found the little boy on the table with all his clothes burnt off; these consisted of flannelette shirt, quilted stays, 2 flannelette petticoats, blue zephyr dress and pinafore. She wrapped him in a blanket, laid him on the hearthrug and ran down to the farm. They put linseed oil on the burns which were nearly all over the body, and sent for Dr Young. She was unable to discover from the little girl how he caught fire. There were no matches or sticks there. About half-past three in the afternoon as near as she knew, he died. She was aware that she ought to have a fire guard. Could not account for how it occurred. The only other child (TOM GREEN 10 years) was at school. She had not lost any children before. - Dr Thomas Young, locum tenens for Dr Kay, deposed to first seeing the child at 12.30 on a neighbour's lap. It was suffering from extensive burns: only the upper part of the face, forehead and one foot escaped. He applied antiseptic and emollient dressing, but the case was hopeless from the first. Death was caused by shock, the result of the large superficial area of skin involved in the burns. - In returning a verdict of "Accidental Death," the Coroner said the parents were to blame in not having a fire guard as laid down by the law for the protection of infant life. He hoped they had got one now. - MRS PROUSE: I have not yet, but have ordered it.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 13 November 1919
LYNTON - Lady's Tragic Death At Lynton. - Residents of the twin villages were startled and deeply distressed on Tuesday on learning that a well-known and highly-respected resident had met her death under tragic circumstances. - P.C. Perriam, whilst off duty in the afternoon was taking a stroll towards Lee when he observed a body lying on the beach at Wringcliff, a little bay close to the famous Castle Rock. Descending, he found it to be that of the HON. MRS. GERALDINE EGAN, sister of Lord Tenterden, who had lived for some years at "Ingleside," Lynton. A daughter of the first Lord Tenterden, she was the widow of COL. EGAN, who was killed in the Boer War. Of a generous disposition, she was a kind friend of the poor and was greatly esteemed in the twin villages. - The Inquest was held at the Town Hall, Lynton, yesterday afternoon, before Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner for North Devon. - The RIGHT HON. LORD TENTERDEN stated that he had not seen his sister (the deceased) for some months, but had had considerable correspondence with her, the last letter being about two weeks ago. The letter was quite cheerful and showed no signs of her being in any trouble. His sister was very fond of taking a lot of exercise and enjoyed walking at Lynton. - Major J. W. Bower, of Lynton, stated that on Saturday, deceased, whom he knew very well, took rooms in the same house in which he was living, stating that she had been unable to sleep lately, and was troubled about her eyes. MRS EGAN complained of pain in the forehead between her eyes. She was very cheerful on Sunday and on Monday morning she said she must go back to her house, as all the blinds were down, and people would think she was dead. MRS EGAN left about 8 a.m., and he did not see her alive again. On leaving she said, "I feel so much better. Do not come up if I do not come down this evening." Witness had never heard her threaten to take her life, and regarded her as the last person in the world who would think of doing such a thing. - P.C. Perriam deposed that about noon on Tuesday he was on duty on the Valley of Rocks highway overlooking Wringcliff Bay, when he saw some clothing lying on the beach, which on proceeding to the spot, he found to be a black cloth coat and a long wool coat, which was wet. Seeing it was in good condition and had not been in the water long, witness searched among the boulders and presently found the body of a female, fully dressed with the exception of her hat, lying between some big boulders. The face was badly knocked about and much scratched, evidently by being washed about by the tide. With assistance witness removed the body to the mortuary, and there discovered marks on the clothing identifying deceased as the HON. MRS EGAN. Witness had searched deceased's house, but could find no note or anything to show she intended to commit suicide. - Edward Sedgbeer, carter, informed the Court that at Ladywell, between 3 and 3.30 on Monday afternoon he met deceased walking down the path towards the Valley of Rocks. He noticed that MRS EGAN was wearing a hat and black coat. Witness said "Good afternoon," but deceased passed on and made no reply. - Dr Hy. G. Falkener, who had made a post mortem examination, stated that the chin-bone was bruised and the face much lacerated and practically skinned, this being probably due to the body being washed about in the shingle. There were no bones broken, and the lungs showed signs of drowning. Having regard to the small amount of water in the lungs, he was of opinion that deceased was probably first stunned before her face was covered with water, and she was thereby drowned. She might have slipped and fallen and been stunned. - The Coroner, summing up, pointed out that there was no evidence to indicate intention to commit suicide. On the contrary, the evidence proved that she was cheerful and had no worries, financial or otherwise. There was not sufficient evidence to show how deceased got in the water, and he returned a verdict of "Found Drowned."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 20 November 1919
HIGH BICKINGTON - High Bickington Tradesman's Wife's Death. - Residents of High Bickington were startled on Tuesday by the tragic death of MRS LUCY CONSTANCE WONNACOTT, aged 34, wife of MR WM. H. WONNACOTT, baker; and sympathy with the bereaved family is general. - At the Inquest yesterday, MR WONNACOTT stated that his wife left home on Saturday to attend a sale in the village, but evidently did not go there. She did not return until Monday, when she said she did not know what made her go to Exeter. Everything went on very comfortably, and she was very cheerful. When he came back from the bakehouse on Tuesday his wife was missing and neighbours stated on inquiry that they had not seen her. After giving the children their dinner, he went to feed the pigs in the back yard, to find by the water tank a piece of paper bearing his wife's handwriting and informing him that she had taken her life. Witness called his brother, and they found the body in the tank, which was about 5 ft. deep. Dr Goode was sent for, but could only pronounce life extinct. His wife had been suffering from nerves lately, but had never threatened to take her life; and he noticed nothing unusual about her on Tuesday. - Also called were Mrs Louisa Sussex, a neighbour, and Dr Goode, who attributed death to drowning. Witness had attended deceased for two months for a nervous complaint and she was a woman full of impulse. - Mr Coroner Brown returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 27 November 1919
ILFRACOMBE - Sudden Death At Ilfracombe. - Mr G. W. F. Brown, North Devon Coroner, held an Inquest at the Tyrrell Cottage Hospital, Ilfracombe, on Saturday afternoon, touching the death of MRS MARY ANSTEE, aged 77, of "Centuria," Crofts Lea Park. - EMILY ANSTEE, daughter of the deceased, said her mother had been short of breath lately. The previous Wednesday she was much better and went for a little walk. On Thursday night she went to bed about 10.45, after having had supper as usual. About five minutes to twelve she came to witness's bedroom door and knocked, and went back to her room. Witness followed her immediately. Her mother was sitting in a chair, and witness said to her "You had better get back into bed." She went back to bed without assistance. She did not speak at all. Witness fetched some brandy, but deceased made a sign that she could not take it. Witness then went for Dr Toller, and when she returned she found that her mother had passed away. - Dr Toller said deceased had been dead about ten minutes when he arrived at the house. He was present when Dr Osborne made a post mortem examination. The heart showed signs of long-standing valvular disease, which was the cause of death. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

North Devon Journal, Thursday 4 December 1919
BARNSTAPLE - Sudden Death Of MR T. MILLWARD, of Barnstaple. - Widespread regret was occasioned on Tuesday morning when it became known that MR THOMAS MILLWARD, a well-known figure in business circles in Barnstaple and district, had passed away suddenly at his residence. On Monday, MR MILLWARD, who had always enjoyed the best of health, carried out his business duties as usual, and on Tuesday morning he was about early as usual, and asked his son (MR E. R. T. MILLWARD, who was associated in the business with his father), to open the shop, saying he would join him in a few moments. But on the daughter going into the dining-room a little later, she found her father dead on the couch in a sitting position. Dr W. Cooper was immediately summoned, but could only pronounce life extinct, death being to all appearances attributable to heart failure. - MR MILLWARD, who was 64 years of age, was a prominent figure in the business life of the town, having for about 12 years carried on an extensive business as a dealer in poultry, game, etc., with shop premises in Boutport Street. He was widely known and greatly respected throughout North Devon, his business transactions being of a nature to take him far afield. Possessed of keen business aptitude, combined with tact and affability, he was a fine type of the go-ahead trader and public-spirited citizen, and his cheerful personality will be much missed. The deceased was a member of Barnstaple Parish Church and frequently lent valued assistance in connection with the Church's numerous organisations. He was a native of Abingdon, Berkshire. The bereaved family has the heartfelt sympathy of the whole community. - As the deceased had not been under medical treatment, an Inquest was necessary and this was held at the North Devon Infirmary on Tuesday evening by Mr T. A. R. Bencraft, Borough Coroner. - MRS ELSIE M. ROOKE, daughter, said her father was in his usual health on Monday night. On Tuesday morning he rose early with the intention of going to Exeter. Five minutes later, on coming downstairs, she found her father dead on the couch in the dining-room. - Dr A. J. Kendrew, who made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to syncope, caused by the choking of the main artery feeding the heart. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

BIDEFORD - North Devon Motor Fatality. - At Bideford Hospital, on Monday afternoon, the North Devon Coroner, Mr G. W. F. Brown, Inquired into the circumstances attending the death of WILLIAM EVANS, aged 46, of Heale Cottages, Littleham, a gardener in the employ of Capt. C. T. Bell, of Littleham, who was killed in a motor accident at Yelland, on the Bideford-Barnstaple main road, on Saturday. The deceased was one of the "beaters" of a shooting party on their way to Fremington Covers, the shooting of which is rented by Capt. Bell. - Mr H. R. Bazeley, solicitor, watched the proceedings on behalf of an Insurance Company, and for Capts. Bell and Elger. - The widow gave evidence of identification. - Capt. Elger, of Whitehall House, Northam, said on Saturday he drove a car to Fremington, the other occupants being a chauffeur named Northcote, and the deceased, the latter occupying the "dickey" seat at the back. On rounding a slight bend just pat Yelland, the car failed to respond to his efforts to turn her straight again. At first he thought it was a front wheel skid and turned a second time, but, as she still failed to respond, he realised the steering gear had gone wrong. He was travelling about 20 to 25 miles an hour at the time. He took out his clutch, applied his brakes, and waited for the crash which he knew must come. The car slowed down appreciably before running into the hedge, and it overturned. Witness was pinned down under the steering wheel and became dazed. Witness was the only one left in the car when it turned over, the other two occupants being thrown out. He saw Northcote in the road holding up deceased's head, EVANS being unconscious and bleeding from the nose. Capt. Bell's car came along almost immediately and EVANS was conveyed to Bideford Hospital, but died on the way. - Capt. Elger called a mechanic, who produced a portion of the steering apparatus, and explained that a nut had come off the steering arm, rendering it useless. - Capt. Elger thought it was criminal that the nut was put n, as it evidently was, without a split pin. The car, with which he had never had any trouble before, was in a garage about six weeks ago. - The Coroner having inspected the steering arm, pointed out that the threaded portion seemed worn. - Frank J. Northcote, chauffeur, corroborated the evidence of Capt. Elger, who, he said, did everything possible. - Dr Littlewood said death was due to a fracture of the base of the skull, which was consistent with his head having struck the ground. - The Coroner said it was obviously a pure accident, caused by the nut having come off the steering arm, rendering it perfectly useless. Capt. Elger did all that was possible under the circumstances, and there was no blame attaching to anyone. He returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

North Devon Journal, Thursday 18 December 1919
ILFRACOMBE - On Tuesday afternoon an Inquest was held at the Tyrrell Hospital, by Mr G. W. F. Brown, District Coroner, on the body of CHARLES MOORE, aged 62, of 2 Neva Cottages, Ilfracombe, and employed by Mr W. H. Gubb, builder and contractor. - MRS ELIZA MOORE, widow, identified the body as that of her late husband. He was in his usual health lately and on Monday went to work. He came home at tea-time and while partaking of tea, fell over on his side. He did not speak and died before the doctor arrived. In February last he had a fit while at work, and was attended by a doctor, staying at home for 10 days. - Dr Stevenson said he was called about 6.30 p.m., and deceased had passed away before he reached the house. A post mortem examination disclosed fatty degeneration of the heart and to this death was due. The disease was of long standing. - The Coroner returned a verdict of Death from Natural Causes.