Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

Articles taken from the Western Morning News

[printed in Plymouth.]

1918

Transcribed by Lindsey Withers

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.

[Numbers in brackets indicate the number of times that name occurs.]

Names Included:-  Ashton; Babey; Baratti; Barnes; Batten; Beck; Bell; Bennett; Boyle; Broad, Budge; Buurma; Calderhead; Chapman(2); Chegwyn; Chown; Clark; Cole; Cook; Copsey; Courtiour; Crook; Curtis; Cutmore; Davey; Davis; Drew; Dunn; Dyer; Easton; Edmunds; Edwards; Elford; Elliott; Fennell; Finch; Firth; Freeman; Gatza; George; Gill; Gourlay; Gray; Griffin; Gruitt; Hannaford(2); Harding; Hardy; Head; Heimers; Hellier; Higman; Hingston; Hodge; Holyoak; Honeywill; Howard; Howes; Hudgston; Hyne; Jackson; James(2); Jordan(2); Joyce; Kear; Kendall; Kenward; Keyworth; King; Knight; Knott; Knowles; Legassick; Leonard; LeQuesne; Lewis; Lloyd; Mabrook; Macaskill; Mack; Mathias; Matthews; McKivett; Mitchell(2); Mole; Moon(2); Moore; Morgan; Mulland; Murray; Neal; Nickell; Northcott; Ortlepp; Osborne; Padmore; Parken(2); Parsons; Payne; Pearce; Peddie; Peddy; Pegley;  Plucknet; Pointon; Pollington; Pomeroy; Pruce; Pugsley; Pulleyblank; Quantick; Raine; Reed(2); Reynolds; Rhodes; Rice; Richmond; Roberts; Rolland; Roper; Ross; Rowe; Russell; Sandford; Sargeant; Scobie; Shambrook; Skilton; Skimmield; Skinner; Smeeton; Smith(3); Sorton; Spiller; Spooner; Squire; Steele; Stowe; Sugrue; Tallack; Taylor; Thomson; Thorn; Tickle; Tolcher; Tonkin; Tope; Trathan; Triggs; Tucker; Turner; Turpin(2); Vandelberg; Veale; Vickers; Walters; Ward; Weeks; Westcott; Weymouth; Williams(2); Winkfield; Woodley; Yahis; Yelland.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 1 January 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Woman Drowned. - At Plymouth yesterday the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest on MRS FLORENCE BROAD, 42, wife of a naval pensioner, living in Oakfield-villas, whose body was found on Saturday floating in the Cattewater. - ARTHUR BROAD, husband, said deceased had been in a somewhat nervous state lately, and had had a bottle of medicine, but he knew of no reason why she should commit suicide. - William Gerry, ship-builder, saw the body floating at Cattedown on Saturday morning and caused it to be taken ashore by a ship's boat. - Dr A. H. Hart said there was an injury to the head which suggested that deceased had fallen from a wall 10 or 12 feet high. There was evidence of meningitis, which would account for any strangeness of manner. Verdict: "Found Drowned."

Western Morning News, Monday 7 January 1918
THORVERTON - Thorverton Farmer's Fatal Fall. - MR W. R. PLUCKNETT, Pitt Farm, Thorverton, farmer, died early on Saturday morning as the result of injuries caused by a fall from his horse. Deceased, aged 39, had been a member of the Parish Council for three years. At the Inquest on Saturday evening a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - C. T. PLUCKNETT, Berry Dairy, brother, said deceased returned from Exeter by train on Friday, and left witness's house about 4 p.m. to get his horse, which he had stabled opposite that morning. A few minutes later witness was called and found him lying in the roadway about 50 yards away. He was bleeding from the left ear and said "I cannot understand how it happened." He became unconscious, and died at witness's house at 4 a.m. on Saturday. - Bessie Hunt, wife of the landlord of the Dolphin Hotel, said the horse was a bit playful and deceased tried three times to get on. The third time he got one foot in the stirrup and the horse then bolted, pitching deceased off into the road. Nothing seemed to frighten the horse, but it was a bit playful. Dr Beddow said the cause of death was a fractured skull.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 8 January 1918
CHAGFORD - Chagford Child Drowned. - An Inquest was held yesterday at Forder Farm, Chagford, on GLADYS MARY THORN, aged 17 months, daughter of WILLIAM THORN, farmer, who was found drowned in a leat near the farm on Friday. The child was left by its mother for a few moments in the afternoon, and was later found in the leat which runs in front of the house. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 9 January 1918
PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on SAMUEL MULLAND, 79, hawker, who died suddenly. He lived in Bath-street until he went to the Workhouse. He fell out of bed and fractured his arm, and Dr Cooke attributed death to senile decay accelerated by the fall.

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on a lady named KENWARD, aged 74, who was visiting her son in Cobourg-street, and seemed in her usual health when she went to bed, but died early on Sunday morning. - Dr Burke said he found pleurisy of long standing and thought her death was accelerated by the cold weather.

Western Morning News, Thursday 10 January 1918
DARTMOUTH - Mr A. M. Davson, Coroner, held an Inquest at Dartmouth yesterday on RICHARD CHOWN, aged 59, station orderly, employed at the Royal Naval College. Samuel Brown, head gardener at the College, said whilst in his office, near the stables, on Tuesday he heard someone groaning and found deceased lying on the ground unconscious near the door of the stables. Dr Sparrow said death was due to heart disease. Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Saturday 12 January 1918
HERNE BAY, KENT - Inquest On Lt. R. H. SMITH. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest at Herne Bay yesterday on Lt. REUBEN H. SMITH, son of MR and MRS GEORGE SMITH, of 19 Collings-park, Compton, Plymouth, who, as announced in yesterday's "Western Morning News" was killed by the explosion of a bomb. The tragedy occurred while Lt. SMITH was instructing recruits in throwing live bombs. A recruit named Anstey was severely injured at the same time. A bombing officer, who gave evidence, expressed the opinion that the accident was caused by a premature explosion.

STOKE DAMEREL - Chief E.R.A.'s Sudden Death. - At the North Dockyard, Devonport, last evening, Mr J. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest on Chief E.R.A. EDWARD JOHN BENNETT, R.N., 45, naval pensioner of London, whose ship is now at sea. - Frank Eades, leading stoker, said at 12.10 a.m. on t the 9th inst., after calling the relief, he was passing the hatchway of the dynamo-room, when he saw something white, which proved to be deceased, who was hanging in the hatchway, with the hatch across his neck. With the assistance of the E.R.A. of the watch, he lifted the hatch and deceased dropped into the dynamo room. - Henry S. Dean, E.R.A., said deceased's neck was jammed between the hatch and the combing leading to the dynamo-room. - Surg. A. M. Scott, R.N., attributed death to syncope from dilation of the heart due to chronic disease of the kidneys. There were bruises on the face, but these were quite superficial, and had no connection with the death. By the Jury: The hatch had nothing to do with the man's death. - Verdict: "Natural Causes."

PLYMOUTH - Mysterious Mishap At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns yesterday at Plymouth held an Inquest on JAMES HARDING, a man of colour. After completing a term of imprisonment as a stowaway, he was discovered the following day by the Police suffering from severe injuries to his feet, his explanation being that he had fallen over some cliffs in the darkness, but he could not say where. He was admitted to the Workhouse Infirmary on December 18, and progressed satisfactorily until the 31st, when tetanus developed. Under the care of Dr C. J. Cooke he recovered from that, but inflammation of the brain supervened and he died on Wednesday. The tetanus developed from the injuries to the feet. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 14 January 1918
EXETER - JAMES HENRY ROPER, dairyman, Cross Park, Whimple, died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, as the result of a fall from a load of straw on December 12. At the Inquest on Saturday, MRS ROPER said her husband told her he got on top of the load to tie a rope, which snapped and he fell backwards off the waggon. He and James Coombes, labourer, were working together for Mrs Pratt at the time. Dr Domville said ROPER'S spine was fractured, and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

EXETER - Death From Anthrax At Exeter. - An Inquest was held at Exeter on Saturday on GEORGE HELLIER, farm bailiff, Lower Hoopern, who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Friday. MR HELLIER had the management of Higher Hoopern Farm, where he had been employed over 30 years. On Christmas-eve a sow seemed to be choking and he put his hand to its throat to find it there was any obstruction. On Christmas-day the pig was dead and he sent for Mr Roach, veterinary surgeon, who discovered that the cause of death was anthrax. On Boxing-day MR HELLIER told his wife his hand was swollen, and she poulticed it, but he treated it very lightly. - Dr Domville said at the Hospital they applied the approved remedies, which cost £10. - The verdict was "Death from Anthrax, contracted during his work through Misadventure."

SOUTHLEIGH - East Devon Farmer's Suicide. Worried By Order To Plough. - 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.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 15 January 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - Trimmer's Fatal Fall At Plymouth. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday on HUGH THOMSON, 51, trimmer, R.N.R.T., deceased went ashore on leave on Friday. When returning the same evening he slipped from a ladder which he had to descend from the quay, struck the side of the ship, and fell into the water. Main dived in after him and secured him by a rope. The ladder was firm, but the place was very dark. He died in the Hospital early on Saturday morning, and Mr Julian L. Preston, Surg., R.N., said a post-mortem examination showed that death was due to asphyxia. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Friday 18 January 1918
MORCHARD BISHOP - An Inquest was held yesterday afternoon at Morchard Bishop on HENRY DREW, 58, carpenter, whose body was found in a flooded meadow on Wednesday morning. He and his stepson left Lapford at about ten o'clock on Tuesday night, with the intention of reaching home at Morchard Bishop. At Bugford Mills, "the water was out," and his stepson decided to return to Lapford and urged the deceased to do the dame. DREW persisted, and went on alone. Richard Stoneman, who found the body, was of opinion that the deceased was drowned in the roadway and that the body was washed down the stream and into the meadow. A verdict of "Accidentally Drowned" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 19 January 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Fireman's Fall At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday on ERNEST SMITH, fireman, aged 35, of 13 Carlton-place, Southampton. - William A. Dawkins, second engineer, living at Plymouth, said deceased was married. Witness was called when an accident occurred in a ship at Devonport. Deceased was taken to the Dockyard dressing station, and thence to the Hospital. At the time of the accident, deceased was fixing staging for himself and other men to do scaling at the top of the bunker. Part of that work was to cover the bunker space through which deceased fell. - Ernest E. Eagle, fireman, of St Denys, Southampton, said that with deceased and other men he was engaged in removing planks from one stringer to another in the after stokehold. - Witness asked deceased to help him to lift one end of a plank and as he was coming round to witness he caught hold of a stanchion to swing himself over a bunker. His left hand slipped off the stanchion and he fell backwards into the bunker, a drop of 15 feet. Witness got down the ladder and saw deceased lying on the floor of the bunker on his left side. Witness spoke to him, and he groaned. Deceased was carried to the top of the engine-room, where he received medical attention. There was every protection in the engine-room, and it was entirely by accident that deceased slipped. - Dr M. M. Bainbridge, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said death was due to fracture of the skull. The fracture had caused cerebral haemorrhage, and deceased also sustained a fractured rib, which had lacerated the left lung. The case was quite hopeless. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 22 January 1918
PLYMOUTH - The Plymouth Borough Coroner held an Inquest yesterday concerning the death of JAMES HENRY TONKIN, 34, grocer's manager, of Eton-place. KATHERINE WILLIAMS stated that deceased, her son-in-law, was apparently well on Sunday evening, but in the morning had complained of his heart. Soon afterwards her daughter called out that her husband had passed away. Medical opinion was given that the cause of death was heart disease and a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Naval Boy's Suicide. Inquest At Plymouth: Young Lady In The Case. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday on BERTHOLD JAMES REDVERS CUTMORE, 17, youth, second class, serving in H.M.S. Powerful, who was found dead in the ship last Thursday. - JAMES G. CUTMORE, the father, of Spreyton Cottages, Woodford Green, Essex, said deceased joined the Navy last October. He had before that time served for five months in the mercantile marine, and previously was for 15 months in the Army, from which he was discharged, on account of being under age, with a very good character. Deceased was home on Christmas leave from Dec. 21 until Jan. 3. There was no insanity in the family, and deceased had never given him or his mother any serious trouble. He was of a lively disposition and very determined. - Deceased's mother said her son seemed depressed when he arrived home on Dec. 21, and she attributed his condition to a death in the family which had occurred the previous day. Deceased left to rejoin the ship on the 3rd inst., but returned home in the evening, and said the London party had lost the train. Witness took him to Paddington the next morning, but had to leave him to go home as there was a long time to wait for the train. Deceased accompanied her to Liverpool-street Station, and he promised he would go back to Paddington, and catch his train. On the following Tuesday (Jan. 8) deceased returned home again and said the others of the party had not returned to Devonport. On the following three days he slept at home, but she did not see him by day. He had gone out each morning with the stated intention of catching the train. The Police called for him on the Thursday morning and she told them he had gone to catch his train. He returned home again that night and on Friday she begged him to return, which he said he would do. The Police called again on Saturday and Monday, and on the latter day asked her to write to the commander of the Powerful to ascertain if he had returned. Witness knew that he had corresponded with and walked about with a girl before he joined the Navy, and he had written to witness and told her she had thrown him over. Witness did not take much notice of the attachment, but no doubt deceased was fond of the girl and it had upset him. She was a very nice girl. When deceased returned home for Christmas his spirit seemed gone. He was so different from what he was before he entered the Navy that witness kept asking him if there was anything wrong. The boy said he was all right in the Navy, that he had good food, and they had a splendid commander. The only thing he complained of was the treatment whilst learning to swim. When she spoke to him about his failure to return to his ship he told her not to worry, as it would only involve a little extra scrubbing. Deceased was of an affectionate nature and was their only boy. - Capt. F. W. Dean, R.N., stated that deceased joined the Powerful on Oct. 22 last, and went on Christmas leave on Dec. 21. He did not return when he should have and was arrested at the Y.M.C.A. hut, Victoria Station. Deceased was brought before him last Thursday as a deserter. Witness pointed out that desertion was a serious offence, and would be severely dealt with in a seagoing ship. The punishment witness awarded him was "8 a." which consisted of having his meals at the defaulters' table, standing on deck for half an hour during the dinner hour, doing half an hour's drill during recreation time in the afternoon, and turning out of his bed half an hour earlier in the morning and standing on deck. The punishment was for 14 days. At the defaulters' table offenders were deprived of butter at breakfast, sweets at dinner and jam at tea. They also had leave and pocket money stopped, and by the rules of the service deserters had to pay the cost in connection with their arrest and return to the ship. Deceased did not seem particularly penitent; in fact, he was rather indifferent. He said he had been in the Army, and would like to go back. He was a fine boy for his age, and conspicuously manly. Deceased was missed from his hammock between 10 and 11 p.m. on the 17th, and was found dead on the upper deck hanging by a rope attached to a bar round the conning tower. A letter addressed to his mother was found in his ditty box, saying that Christmas leave was stopped as he was going to be sent to China, and notices were posted in the ship to that effect. That was written before Christmas, but never posted. It was entirely an hallucination on deceased's part; there was no chance of such a thing happening. His character was "Very good." - Surg. A. J. Tozer, R.N., said death was due to suffocation. Deceased had a drop of 11 ft., and as he was a very tall lad there was no dislocation. - The Coroner expressed the opinion that deceased's mind had been unbalanced by the young lady throwing him over. The punishment was not heavy; in fact, Capt. Dean had treated the lad more like a father would. - Verdict: "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Fatality. - At the Homeopathic Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquiry into the death of MRS IZZETT ERNESTINE KNIGHT, of St Michael's-terrace. - MR FREDERICK S. KNIGHT stated that on the 10th inst., his wife left home to go to the Repertory Theatre, he arranging to meet her outside. She was very near-sighted. - Mrs Sarah Helberry stated that at 8 p.m. on the 10th she saw MRS KNIGHT fall over the steps of 16 Princess-square, which she had apparently mistaken for the Repertory Theatre, and was attempting to enter. She was immediately removed to Hospital. - Dr Wilmot stated that when admitted MRS KNIGHT was suffering from injuries to her head. She was unconscious and remained so until Sunday when she died from fracture of the skull. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed sympathy with the husband.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 23 January 1918
ST BUDEAUX - MR JOHN W. F. ROWE. Found Drowned At Tamerton. - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Budshead Farm, St Budeaux, on JOHN WILLIAM FREDERICK ROWE, Okehampton, whose body was found in Tamerton Creek on Sunday. - Wm. Cockwill, grocer's assistant, Okehampton, said deceased, aged 52, had been in the same employ as himself for 11 years, and lodged with him for eight years. On October 28 deceased said he was going to church, and he had not seen him since, until he saw the dead body. Deceased had been confined several times in Asylums in Somerset and at Plymouth. The last time was in 1906. His mother had always been anxious about him and witness had kept him under observation. He also became greatly anxious about him on the Sunday evening in October when he heard deceased had left for Plymouth. There had been nothing unusual about him before his disappearance. His mental condition was due to religious mania. Before leaving Okehampton he told a young lady that he was going to Plymouth on business. - JOHN ROWE, writer, R.N., said on Sunday, October 28, deceased, a relative of his, travelled down from Okehampton with him and got out at St Budeaux, walking with him as far as the Naval Depot, remarking that he would catch the Plymouth train at the bottom of Albert-road. He was very lively and chatty and there appeared to be nothing the matter with him. He told a fellow-passenger that he was going to Plymouth in important business; but he would not make an appointment with witness for the following evening, as he would probably be back at Okehampton the next evening. - William Soady said on Sunday, January 20, he saw the body in Tamerton Creek, and afterwards assisted in its recovery. - Dr Thomas Olver, Crownhill, said death was due to drowning. - Sgt. Cruse, of the County Police, Crownhill, said there was no evidence to show how deceased got into the water. He was last seen near the Naval Barracks, Devonport. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Found Drowned," expressing, with the Coroner, sympathy with the bereaved. An Appreciation. - The late MR J. W. F. ROWE was a man of many parts. In the first few years of the present century he was widely known at Plymouth as a writer of verse, and to a small circle of friends as a student and a good fellow. He was an eccentric, as a man who in his working hours managed a grocery business and in his hours of leisure sought relaxation in writing poetry, reading Greek and associating with friends with a bent for literature would be so judged by the majority of his fellowmen. Although something of a dreamer, he was none the less a keen man of business, and will no doubt be still remembered as the manager of a Plymouth firm's branch establishments at Millbridge, Devonport and St. Jude's. Nevertheless he was a man who felt "the call of the wild," and he was never happier than when in the open country, meandering along the Devon lanes or exploring the most inaccessible places of Dartmoor. He came to Plymouth from Bath, which perhaps was his native town. The life he lived in the ancient Roman city he followed at Plymouth and in order to give that life as much of an outdoor atmosphere as he could he turned the bedroom of his lodgings - for he was a bachelor - into what he described as his camp. There was no bedstead therein, but he erected a bell tent, into which he dived nightly in the winter and made his bed on the floor, as the soldiers do when under canvas. With the windows wide open, or entirely removed from the sashes, he introduced as much of the Channel breezes as was obtainable and was never so happy as when the wind was blowing a gale. In summer he slung a hammock. He read himself to sleep in candle light and his reading was more often than not a volume of Homer, Plato, Euripides, or some other of the Greek philosophers - in the original text. Seized by an inspiration in the course of his reading he would arise and develop stanza after stanza of poetry with remarkable rapidity. His verses were accepted by various periodicals, but he had the disappointment of finding that to secure publication he had to descend to the popular level. His descent was successful, however, and a particularly successful effort of his was written when King Edward was crowned - "An ode to the King's Most Gracious Majesty on the occasion if his Coronation, Aug. 9, 1902." When the old battleship Agamemnon was sold at Devonport Dockyard, she was afterwards broken up in Stonehouse Creek - he scribbled out a couplet in the presence of the writer, and it was the next day published in "The Naval and Military Record." It is typical of his sense of humour, a quality he but occasionally displayed in his writings. The couplet was as follows:- 'Neath Clytemnestra's bloody axe, So ancient legends tell, Mycene's King, Troy's conqueror, Great Agamemnon, fell. "History repeats itself," tis said, And 'mid a salerooms clamour, The latest Agamemnon falls, Beneath the fatal hammer.' - A vacancy in a grocer's establishment at Okehampton later gave MR ROWE the opportunity for which he had long yearned of a closer association with the Moors. His muse seems to have then deserted him, or he discarded the muse, for subsequently he devoted himself entirely in his spare time to searching out the heart of the Moor. His intimacy with its fastnesses and its tors within measurable reach of Okehampton was so great that after a while he attained considerable note as a guide. No more trustworthy cicerone could be found for a traveller attracted by the mysticism of Cranmere and the grandeur of Yes Tor and Higher Willhays.

Western Morning News, Friday 25 January 1918
PLYMOUTH - Accidentally Suffocated. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquest at the Wolsdon-street School, Plymouth, yesterday, into the death of SUSAN HINGSTON, widow, 68 years of age. Deceased's daughter stated that her mother was attended by a doctor for a seizure about 12 months ago, but had not seen him since. On Monday she was apparently well, when she suddenly collapsed and died. - Dr Burke expressed the opinion that deceased was suffocated by a crumb of bread lodging in her throat. Verdict - "Accidental Death."

TRURO, CORNWALL - Plymouth Man's Death At Truro. - MR HART NICKELL, aged about 66, of Stanley-villas, Queen's-road, Plymouth, traveller for Joseph Tetley and Co., tea merchants, London, was taken ill suddenly on The Leats, Truro, yesterday morning and died before medical assistance could be obtained. He stayed at Fletcher's Hotel on Wednesday night and left at 9.30 yesterday morning to call on customers, and was on his way back to the Hotel when taken ill. He was well known in Truro and throughout the county. - In the evening, Mr E. S. Carlyon, Coroner, held an Inquest. He said he had been informed by friends of the deceased that MR NICKELL had been suffering from heart trouble for some time, and had had several fainting fits lately. - Ethel Lord, waitress at the Hotel, said when MR NICKELL got up in the morning he seemed in his usual health. - Mr H. T. Brewer, grocer, said when deceased called on him he complained of feeling poorly, but returning a short time afterwards said he felt better and having transacted some business left the shop. - P.C. Capel deposed that he was called to The Leats, where it was said a man was lying unconscious. When he got there the man was dead. - Mr T. A. Lampier, a Truro tradesman, said he had known MR NICKELL for many years, and knew he suffered from heart trouble. - Verdict "Death from Syncope."

Western Morning News, Saturday 26 January 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - U.S. Stoker's Death In A Train. - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Plymouth on MARTIN JOYCE, a stoker in the U.S. Navy. It was explained that the deceased had been under treatment for injuries sustained last November, when a condenser fell upon him and fractured his temple. During a railway journey from York to Plymouth he died in the train. As the necessary evidence was not then obtainable, the Inquest was adjourned until Monday.

NEWTON ABBOT - American Doctor's Status. Point Raised At Newton Abbot. - A curious point was raised at an Inquest at Newton Abbot yesterday on a three months old child of a quarryman named HONEYWILL. Dr Boyce D. Booker, an American doctor, acting with Dr Nisbet in the absence on service of Dr Glandfield, appeared to give evidence - The Coroner, Mr S. Hacker, said they could not legally take the evidence of Dr Booker, who was not registered as a qualified medical practitioner in England. - Dr Booker stated that he was "M.D." in America and had been sent to take the place of Dr Glandfield by the War Medical Committee. - The Coroner said he felt very much inclined to adjourn the case for Dr Nisbet's presence, but there did not seem to be anything at all suspicious in the evidence. - Dr Booker mentioned that in his opinion the cause of death, in the absence of other symptoms, was congestion, which he had found in the left lung. The Jury were satisfied with the evidence, and returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 29 January 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - American Sailor's Death. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd resumed the Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday on MARTIN JOYCE, an American sailor. - Tempy. Surg. S. C. Shaw, R.N., said that when deceased was admitted last Thursday life was extinct. A post-mortem examination showed that death was due to a fracture and injuries of the skull. Some heavy object might have caused them. - The Coroner informed the Jury that the necessary witnesses were engaged on important war work and unable to attend the Inquiry. The best course to take would be to say that deceased died as a result of injuries to the skull, but there was no available evidence to show how those injuries were received. The verdict would then be open, and should the occasion demand, a further Inquiry could be held in the future. The Jury concurred. - The actual cause of the injuries is believed to have originated from the fall of a condenser head on deceased's skull whilst he was sleeping last November. He died in a railway carriage on the way from York to Plymouth.

Western Morning News, Friday 1 February 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - Stonehouse Man's Fatal Accident. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest at the Stonehouse Townhall yesterday on EDWIN JOHN JAMES, Battery-street, Stonehouse. Dr Clarke was called to see deceased on August 9, and found him suffering from injuries to ribs on the left side, with a probable fracture. Shortly afterwards deceased developed bronchitis, which aggravated the injury. During the last three or four weeks of his life he developed a rapid form of tuberculosis. - Ethel L:ilian Townsend, assistant at the Co-operative Society's Stores, Wilton-street, said deceased worked in the Stores. Some months ago he climbed on some flour sacks to unfasten a window, when he slipped and fell into a bin. He continued working, but complained of having hurt himself. A fortnight later he was taken ill. - MRS E. JAMES, widow, said her husband was 61 years of age. He was a pensioner from the Victualling Yard. He had always enjoyed the best of health, having worked in the Yard for 45 years without losing any time. - The Coroner observed that as a post-mortem had not yet been made, and as complications might arise regarding compensation, he thought it advisable to adjourn the Inquest for one day for that purpose. The Jury concurred.

PLYMOUTH - Suicide At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner of Plymouth, yesterday held an Inquiry into the death of JOSIAS JONES YELLAND, aged 65, plasterer, of Rowe-street, who was found dead in his room by his grand-daughter, LUCY YELLAND. - The grand-daughter stated that her grandfather had been ill and suffered from pains in the head. She last saw him alive the previous morning. He had never threatened to take his life. Going to his room in the afternoon, she found him sitting on a chair with his head leaning on the rail of the gas stove and the gas tap turned on. - Dr Blades certified that death was due to gas poisoning. - Verdict, "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

Western Morning News, Saturday 2 February 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, resumed the Inquest at Stonehouse Townhall yesterday on EDWIN JOHN JAMES, pensioner from the Royal Victualling Yard, who died at Battery-street. Dr Clarke said he considered death was accelerated by the accident, as a man so healthy as deceased was normally, would not have been likely to die from rapid tuberculosis. Verdict: "Accidental Death." Deceased met with an accident in August last injuring his side.

STOKE DAMEREL - Death Follows Burns At Devonport. - Mr J. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, on IVY MAY TREPHINA CURTIS, aged 5. - Mrs Deborah Alice McDonough, 73 Pembroke-street, said she was having her dinner on Saturday, January 5, when she heard some children screaming. Running into MRS CURTIS'S room, which was on the same landing, to see if anything was the matter, she saw the deceased run across the room toward her, enveloped in flames. She immediately wrapped a mat around the girl and extinguished the flames. Her cries attracted Mrs Vincent, who lived in the same house and the child was taken downstairs. Not long afterwards the mother arrived, and they took the child to the Royal Albert Hospital. - Mrs Vincent said the mother had only gone out a few minutes before the accident to buy meat. It was her usual custom to send REGGIE, her son, to fetch her errands, but owing to the existing food difficulties, she had to go herself. But for that the accident might never have happened. - REGINALD CURTIS, age 9, brother of deceased, said that his mother left them having dinner to fetch some meat. She had not gone long when a spark from the fire ignited his sister's clothing. He threw his tea over it, but the flames spread, until Mrs McDonough arrived. - Medical evidence showed that the cause of death was blood poisoning, following upon burns. The child died on January 31. - The Coroner remarked that it was one of the cases that were much more frequent in the past than now. During 1917 not one such case came before his notice. Unfortunately MRS CURTIS had no fireguard, but in this instance that did not appear to make any difference. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and passed a vote of sympathy with the mother, whose husband is serving at the front.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 5 February 1918
ASHWATER - Ashwater Merchant's Death. - An Inquest was held at Hazeldene, Ashwater, yesterday, by Mr H.C. Brown, Coroner, on RICHARD HOCKING MOON, aged 60, merchant, who died on Saturday. - RICHARD HENRY MOON, nephew of deceased, said he last saw his uncle alive about 10 on Friday night. He was then in bed, and had been there since Wednesday, not feeling well, and had been attended by Dr Gibson. When witness saw him on Friday night he seemed quite jovial, and so far as he knew deceased had no money troubles. The war might have troubled him a little, and about a week ago he kept on saying he did not know if he would be able to get any hay for his horses. He had written about getting some more hay, and on Saturday morning a letter came, in reply, saying no more could be released. Deceased had never actually referred to any troubles in his hearing, and he had never spoken of doing away with himself. - On Saturday morning, about 9 o'clock, he was called to deceased's house and found him in the bathroom. He was in a kneeling position, dead, with his head hung over the bath, his throat was cut, and there was razor by his side. - Dr C. G. Gibson, of Launceston, said he saw deceased on Wednesday evening and found him very depressed and utterly miserable. On Thursday he saw deceased again, and found he had some organic disease and he considered this had caused the depression. He did not tell the deceased of the disease, but tried to cheer him up. His mind was undoubtedly upset as to the feeding of his horses and the war conditions preyed on his mind. The wound in the throat was sufficient to cause death. - Verdict: "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind," and sympathy was expressed with the relatives of the deceased. - A native of Launceston, MR MOON came to Ashwater 37 years ago, built up a flourishing business as a forage, coal and manure merchant, in addition to large grocery stores. He was also sub-postmaster for many years, an active leader of the local Rechabites, chairman of the District Nursing Association, and a most useful member of the Ashwater and Broadwoodwidger Agricultural Committees. As a large employer of labour, a bountiful subscriber to all deserving charities, and a liberal landlord, his loss will be irreparable in Ashwater and the surrounding district, over which his untimely death has cast a deep gloom. Feeling references were made for the widow and family at the parish and United Methodist Churches on Sunday.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 6 February 1918 PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth Mortuary on HARRIET VANDELBERG, widow of AUGUSTUS VANDELBERG, Desborough-road, who fell in the passage of the house of her son-in-law on Saturday night and struck her head against a door. She died on Monday. - Dr W. Deery said death was due to effusion of blood on the brain and shock. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth Mortuary on WILLIAM HENRY WILLIAMS, aged one month, son of WILLIAM HENRY WILLIAMS, baker, Camden-street. The mother left the child on Monday a short time, and on returning found it dead in bed. - Dr Blades said death was due to the rupture of an artery of the brain owing to a fall. - The mother, recalled, said she was told by her little girl that her boy had picked the child up and let it fall and put it to bed again. The boy denied having done so. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth Mortuary on BAZREEL JOHN VEALE, fisherman, aged 28, of Willow-street, whose body was found in Sutton Pool on Saturday. Mr Percy Pearce watched the proceedings on behalf of the Sutton Harbour Improvement Co. - MRS VEALE said she saw her husband at 6 o'clock on Saturday evening. He was all right then, and probably went to his boat. - P.C. Roach said on hearing later on Saturday night that VEALE was missing, he dragged and found the body in the pool. Artificial respiration was tried until the arrival of the doctor, but ineffectually. Deceased was a very steady man. The night was very dark, and no lights were allowed. - Dr Wilkinson said death was due to drowning. - Verdict: "Found Drowned."

Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest yesterday at Plymouth Mortuary on BERYL BESSIE MAY PARKEN, aged six months, daughter of SIDNEY GEO. PARKEN, Embankment-road, of the D.C.L.I. The child had a coughing fit and died before reaching the doctor. - Dr Wilkinson said the child had a congested right lung and the coughing probably caused convulsions, which would account for death. - Verdict: "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Friday 8 February 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Street Fatality. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest on the victim of Wednesday's street fatality at the Plymouth Mortuary yesterday on JOHN EDWARD SUGRUE, aged 7 years, schoolboy, of Woolster-street. - Henry Walk, driver, of Workmen's-dwellings, said that at 12.15 on Wednesday he was proceeding along Westwell-street with a furniture van, at five or six miles an hour. On reaching Princess-square the lad sitting by him shouted and several people cried out to him to stop. He immediately applied the foot-brake and after going three or four yards the car stopped. He then saw that he had knocked someone down. It was the first intimation he had of the boy's presence. - MR SUGRUE (father) asked the driver if it would have been possible to avoid the accident if, instead of stopping the van, he had proceeded straight on. - The driver replied that it was very possible, but as everyone shouted he almost instinctively put on the brakes. - A lad, age 9, of St James-place, said that he was playing with deceased. They were chasing each other and deceased ran against the motor. - Lily Long, age 11, also witnessed the fatality, and described it as a "pure accident." The boy ran backwards into the motor, and was struck by the mudguard, causing him to stagger and then to fall. - Dr Stubbs said he was near by at the time but on arriving found life extinct. Death was instantaneous. - Verdict: "Accidental Death," the Jury expressing sympathy with the parents. The driver was exonerated from blame.

PLYMOUTH - - Plymouth Street Fatality. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest on the victim of Wednesday's street fatality at the Plymouth Mortuary yesterday on MRS MARY POINTON, aged 64, of Whitefield House, Whitefield-terrace. Mr Percy Pearce watched the proceedings for Messrs. Matthews. - John Carling, Fortescue-place, said he was driving a car belonging to Messrs. Matthews across Mutley Plain at about 12.320 on Wednesday. He saw deceased attempt to cross the road at a distance of 16 or 20 yards, but on his sounding the horn she went back to the pavement. As he proceeded, however, she again stepped out as the car was level with her. The headlights of the car knocked her down and the front wheel passed over her body. He at once stopped and called assistance. The rate at the time was between 11 and 12 miles an hour. - William Ruse, Corporation sweeper, said he saw the accident and was of opinion that deceased did not notice the car the second time she moved. - The traffic on the Plain was very heavy at the time. - Pte. Richard Burns, who also witnessed the accident, corroborated. - Dr Clarke said death was instantaneous, five or six ribs being broken and the collar-bone dislocated. - Verdict: "Accidental Death," the Jury exonerating the driver and expressing sympathy with the relatives.

STOKE DAMEREL - Death After Burns At Devonport. - At the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest on ALFRED J. SANDFORD, aged ten months, the son of ARABELLA SANDFORD, who died on the 5th inst., after receiving burns on December 28. The mother said she was the widow of a Dockyard shipwright, who died four years ago, and lived in Queen-street. On December 28 she sent her eldest child to a sweet-shop for an empty box and afterwards gave deceased and another child, aged 3, the box to play with in front of the fire. She left them to go into the back yard and a few seconds later heard the little girl screaming and shouting that the baby was burning. She ran into the kitchen and saw the baby in flames. She stripped him of his clothes, applied vaseline to the burns and called in a neighbour. The child progressed favourably until New Year's Day when he was very restless and witness took him to the Hospital the next day. She visited him frequently and he appeared to get on well until January 30. There was a large guard in front of the fire, and witness could not tell how the child got in contact with the fire. The child was wearing a flannelette dress, white flannel petticoat and cotton pinafore. - Dr M. M. Bambridge said the child was extensively burned. The child got over the shock, but, being delicate, was unduly affected by septicaemia, to which death was due. Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Saturday 9 February 1918
LYDFORD - Mr H. C. Brown, the Devon Coroner, exercised a wise discretion in deciding to hold an Inquest upon HENRY WILLIAM FIRTH, a C.O., detained at Princetown "work centre," the first of his class to die at Princetown since the establishment of the settlement there. If no such step had been taken it is tolerably certain that a great outcry would have been raised by his sympathisers, and the authorities would have been accused of responsibility for his death by neglecting to treat him properly. The evidence of the Hospital orderly, a C.O. named Samuel French, shows clearly the kind of animus which would have been exhibited and it was only just to the medical men of the establishment, Drs. Battiscombe and Hillyer, that they should be permitted to vindicate their treatment of the case in evidence. This they did so effectually that we understand even the representatives of the conchies who were in court were satisfied that the deceased had received all possible care and proper treatment during his illness. At this was the first death in the settlement, it was quite worth while publicly to place these facts beyond dispute. - First Death: Inquest On Man Who Died From Diabetes. An Exhaustive Inquiry. - At Princetown Work Centre yesterday Mr H. C. Brown, Coroner, held an Inquest on the body of HENRY WILLIAM FIRTH, of Norwich, a conscientious objector. - The Coroner said he hoped the Jury would take particular notice of the evidence, as it was the first death among the C.O.'s since they had been accommodated at Dartmoor Prison. - Mr E. Roberts, solicitor, Dowlas, was present on behalf of the widow, and the Coroner permitted representatives of the C.O.'s Committee, including Mr C. H. Norman and Mr Dan Griffiths, to be present. - Robert Sparrow, principal warder, said deceased was about 30 years of age. He came from Norwich and on December 31, 1917 was admitted from Maidstone Prison. He had been cautioned once for idleness. His only work was of a light description. On January 23 he was reported sick. He was in Hospital on the 24th, 25th and 26th and on the 27th resumed work with the quarry party. On January 30 he was readmitted to the Hospital. - By Mr Roberts: He saw deceased when he came in. He was not very robust, but never complained to witness of illness. He did not know he left Maidstone ill. Witness produced the report of January 29, which stated that he "had idled away his time whilst employed in the quarry." - Hospital Orderly's Unspoken Doubts. - Samuel French, a C.O., Hospital Orderly, said he was in attendance when death occurred on February 6. He was treated by Dr Battiscombe and Dr Hillyer - the former practically saw him every day. - The Coroner: Do you think everything possible was done for him? - That I can hardly say. - You can hardly say there was any neglect? - Not so far as I am able to judge, but possibly something might have been done for him in the earlier stages of his illness. - What do you mean by the earlier stages? - On the first occasion when he was admitted to the Hospital, and also of the other three or four days on the second occasion. - The Coroner said as witness had made what amounted to an allegation, would he tell the Jury the reasons for saying something more might be done? - Well, his diet was constantly altered. - Is that a complaint of a criticism? - His diet was changed on the Tuesday before he died which was fairly in accordance with his complaint. That was not done provisionally and I think a complaint could be lodged in that respect. - Your opinion was based on wisdom after the event? - I formed the opinion before the event. - You are not a member of the silent class of individual, I believe. Did it not strike you that if you thought he was being wrongly treated it would have been well to tell them you thought deceased was suffering? - I knew there were other people in the settlement moving in the matter. - You told us you thought it was not the proper treatment for a disease of that sort; were you guessing? - I thought he was suffering from diabetes. The doctor never tells the men what the patient is suffering from. - Did you regard him as bad the last few days? - Yes. Seriously ill. - Then we have this fact: You considered him seriously ill; considered the treatment wrong and did not make a complaint? - It is hardly correct to say I considered the treatment wrong. - You considered it might have been different in the early stages? - Yes. - Would you not have thought it proper to do the best you could? - I thought those outside were doing it. - But you were by the bedside? - I take the attitude of not talking shop outside the Hospital about cases. - Surely you would not like him to lie there and die without telling his friends. You have the courage of your opinions? - I knew they were moving and I left it to them. - Witness further said he would not have been punished for saying anything about the case that he knew of; he never mentioned his opinion to the doctor. - A Juryman: Had the Men's Committee any idea that this man was supposed to have been improperly treated? - I could not say. - The Coroner: He was at the bedside, had opinions, and did not think fit to mention them outside. - A Juryman: That is peculiar. How did the Men's Committee know so much? - In reply to Mr Roberts, witness said deceased complained on one occasion of his diet. He asked for milk in the early stages of January. - The Coroner: Whom did he ask? - Nobody; but made a general complaint by way of conversation. - In reply to Mr Roberts he said deceased looked very emaciated, his cheeks were drawn in and his wrists and ankles could be spanned with the fingers. - In reply to the Coroner, he said he personally did not think deceased was able to do any physical work, but should have had complete rest. Deceased never complained to him of being over-tired. - Witness further said he did not think deceased should have been exposed to the weather and was surprised when he was discharged from the Hospital the first time. - Dr Battiscombe was asked by the Coroner if he would like to ask any questions. - Dr Battiscombe said he had no questions by way of challenging the evidence. - The Coroner said there had been a request made to the manager of the Centre that a certain number of the conscientious objectors should be allowed to attend the Inquest and he concurred. So far as he was concerned it was a public Inquiry. - Doctor's Evidence. - Dr Battiscombe, Medical Officer, said on the first occasion - January 3 - he found deceased a man of poor physique. He told witness he had been at Maidstone about nine months and that he felt the effects of confinement during the latter part of it, and witness believed that to have been one of the reasons why he came under that scheme. He said he did not feel so well and was losing his appetite. He as reported sick, and complained that he could not do his work because of pains in his bowels. Witness gave him medicine and put him into an indoors party, picking "coir," and he apparently recovered. He once complained of constipation on January 10, and he prescribed accordingly. He later said he was bilious and he again prescribed and told him to come up again if he did not feel better. That was the last day he saw him until January 30 (he was presumably better) when he complained of thirst and weakness and he admitted him into the Hospital. He then had all the symptoms of diabetes but one. He treated him on the lines of good authority. He sent him to bed on February 5 and after consulting Dr Hillyer, as deceased was anxious to get up, they permitted him to do so, thinking it would probably be beneficial rather than harmful. He saw deceased again that night at about 9.30. He was sleeping and he had no reason to anticipate any sudden ending. About 6.30 a.m. on February 6, however, he was called up by an orderly, who said deceased was making a peculiar noise in breathing and he believed he was sinking. He found him unconscious and breathing badly and tried various injections. He did not rally, dying at 8.55. The cause of death, in his opinion, was diabetes. - In reply to the Coroner, witness said the absence of one symptom in the disease until the last moment was an unusual feature. The disease had probably been of long standing. Diabetes in young people was as a rule fatal. He did not think the end was hastened or aggravated by being at Dartmoor Work Centre. Had the man's work been arduous it might, but it was light. He helped to turn the handle of a winch with three others; two men usually did the work. He could do as little or as much as he chose practically. The spells were not long and he never complained of his work after January 3 or 4, and presumably had not found it too hard. Deceased said nothing about previous medical treatment and was apparently unconscious of the nature of his complaint. - In reply to Mr Roberts, witness said in cases of previous illness the men generally brought their medical reports. Deceased brought none. - The Coroner: So you would assume he had a clean sheet? - Yes. - In reply to Mr Roberts, witness said deceased looked like a man who had lost flesh, and said he had been feeling the effects of confinement and came under the scheme because he thought the country air would do him good. - Mr Roberts: My instructions are that you gave this man to do some of the heaviest work in the quarry? - That is incorrect. - Witness continuing said on one occasion deceased asked to have his party changed. He did not complain of his work, but said he felt it cold. - Did you receive that very unsympathetically? - Not very. - Did you think he was malingering? - I will not say that, but I thought his reasons insufficient to take him out of the party. A man in his state would probably feel the cold more than the ordinary individual, but he had plenty of clothing. He treated him in a business way, having no feeling in the matter. - The Coroner: Neutrally? - Absolutely neutrally. - Witness said deceased at one time asked for eggs. Witness said eggs were difficult to get, as they were required for wounded soldiers, but he ordered him three and he heard they were delivered. Any complaint about clothing would be considered by him. Deceased made no complaint of insufficiency. - Mr Norman's Questions. - On application the Coroner permitted the representatives of the Men's Committee to ask questions. - Mr C. H. Norman suggested that during the whole time deceased was at Dartmoor he was unfit for work. - Dr Battiscombe said his health was not good all that period. As they know now, he must have been suffering from latent diabetes; all the time he made various complaints, but not one of these complaints was sufficient to prevent him doing the very modified work he was put to. - Did the man say to you that he did not go back to the Hospital because you accused him of malingering? - He never said so to me. - In reply to Mr Dan Griffiths, (chairman of the Men's Committee), witness said deceased was in what was called the "heavy" quarry party, but it did not necessarily mean he did heavy work. He remembered a fellow townsman, a chum of the deceased, speaking to him (witness) late on Tuesday before FIRTH died stating that FIRTH was seriously ill, and suggesting wiring to his wife. At that time he did not anticipate a sudden end, and thought a letter would be sufficient, as a wire might frighten his wife. - Dr Hillyer, of Okehampton, acting assistant Medical Officer, said when he examined deceased first he could find nothing the matter with him beside a cold. He afterwards saw him in consultation with Dr Battiscombe and agreed with the latter's diagnosis and treatment. - In reply to Mr Norman, witness said deceased never complained to witness, nor did he push him aside or treat him unsympathetically. - I put it to you, he was a skeleton? - He was not; he lost a stone in weight perhaps during the last four or five days he was in the Hospital. - The Coroner said in an ordinary case this would have been considered, perhaps, an ordinary death, but as there was a possibility of a grievance he had stretched a point in order that all these grievances might be cleared up. It must, he thought be clear to all that everything was done that was necessary. It was clear in his mind that the doctors had done all they could. He wanted to do these men justice. - "Natural Causes." - The Jury, having retired, returned a verdict of "Natural Causes," in accordance with the medical evidence, and expressed themselves satisfied with the treatment of the deceased by the doctors who had charge of the case. They also expressed sympathy with the widow. - There have been about 1,100 conscientious objectors at Dartmoor during the past 11 or 12 months and this is the first death that has occurred.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 12 February 1918
OTTERY ST MARY - Devon Tragedy. Little Boy Accidentally Shoots His Sister At Tipton. - Mr C. N. Tweed, Deputy Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest on ISABEL JOY SKINNER, aged 4, of Lower Coombe Farm, Tipton St John's who died on Saturday morning as the result of a gunshot wound. - JAMES SKINNER, the father, said on Thursday he went shooting with Mr Farmer at Higher Coombe, who said, "You don't want to trouble about bringing any cartridges, I have some/" When they finished rabbiting, about 4.30 p.m., he offered Farmer the cartridges he had not used. Farmer asked him to keep them, but witness insisted on his taking them back. With talking and that incident he could not remember unloading the gun, which he afterwards placed in a corner of the dairy. If he had emptied his pockets of cartridges in the house in the usual way he would not have forgotten to unload the gun. About 9.30 a.m. on Saturday, Arthur Baker, who worked for him, ran up the lane after him and informed him that JOY was hot. He returned to the house at once. He found his wife nursing the deceased, and she asked him to get some brandy. He saw that the child was wounded, got some brandy, handed it to Sheriff, the chimney-sweep, who was there, and then rode off for the doctor. Before going for the doctor he examined the gun in the dairy. He found that it contained one discharged cartridge in the left barrel and a live cartridge in the other barrel. Dr Cussens arrived in about an hour's time. When witness returned the child had just died. He had never before found his gun loaded. - P.S. Bugler asked witness whether he didn't consider it advisable that a gun should be always placed out of the reach of children, whether loaded or unloaded. These things often happened. - Witness replied in the affirmative. - In answer to further questions, witness said he had six young children, including deceased. When he went to the dairy the gun had been moved from its original position and was standing against the mangle instead of in the corner. - MONTAGUE LEWIS SKINNER, age nine, said he was playing with his little sister (deceased) and he went into the dairy while she was playing outside. He saw the gun, and picked it up to look at it. Directly he picked it up it went off and he saw his sister fall down. He and the servant picked her up, his mother came out and he did not know what happened afterwards. He could not remember whether he pulled the trigger or not. He did not go in the dairy to get the gun. He had often taken the gun up and looked at it before. - Dora Kathleen Gooding, age 13, domestic servant, said she heard which she thought was a bucket falling. She knew JOY was outside and thought she had fallen over the bucket. She heard a cry and on going out saw JOY being held up by the little boy. Witness called MRS SKINNER who brought deceased in. Witness saw the deceased bleeding, but could not look again. - MRS SKINNER said she heard MONTY and Gooding screaming, and rushed through to find them holding up deceased between them. Witness took her up and brought her in the kitchen. She tried her with brandy, but she said "No" quite distinctly. Witness nursed her in the kitchen for about ten minutes and then carried her upstairs. She died about five minutes before the doctor came and about three-quarters of an hour after the accident. - Tom Farmer, Higher Coombe, corroborated the evidence of JAMES SKINNER in regard to the return of the cartridges last Thursday. - Dr Cussens said there was a large wound in the abdomen and another wound on the buttock, with shots embedded. The father and mother were much distressed. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and expressed their sympathy with the parents. They also emphasised the danger of the practice of leaving guns, whether loaded or unloaded, within easy access of children.

WHITCHURCH - Suicide At Whitchurch. - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest at Whitchurch yesterday on JOHN SHAMBROOK, aged 54, who was found hanging at his residence, 2 Church-view, Whitchurch, on Saturday evening. Before the late MR SHAMBROOK was appointed rate collector and assistant-overseer for Whitchurch, he was for many years clerk of Tavistock County Court. - Mr W. N. Barkell said deceased was his uncle - he was sole executor for him. Witness had noticed recently that he was depressed and thought it was due to domestic trouble, and his two sons serving in the Army abroad, and the death quite recently of a trusted housekeeper. Deceased held several responsible appointments, and witness thought the work of late had proved too much for him. - Miss Annie Hockin, deceased's housekeeper, stated that she went to Plymouth on Saturday, and on her return, about 8.30 p.m., found the house in darkness. She called, but got no reply, and went for Mr Rogers, a neighbour, who entered the house with a light and found deceased hanging in the stairs, the rope having been attached to the banister. The body was cold. - P.C. Nankivell, stationed at Whitchurch, stated that he was fetched and cut down the body. Witness had noticed of late that MR SHAMBROOK was very depressed and about a week previous deceased told him that he was not feeling well and could not sleep. - Dr C.C. Brodrick said he knew the deceased well, as he had kept his books for about 25 years, and was a most valuable man to him. He had been attending deceased up to about ten days ago for depression; he suffered from insomnia, and witness considered he committed suicide on the impulse of the moment. It was very possible, if any person had been with him, to have detracted his attention, he would have been all right that day. - The Coroner said there was no doubt that deceased committed suicide whilst in a state of temporary insanity and the Jury returned a verdict to that effect. - The Coroner said MR SHAMBROOK was a highly-respected citizen, and expressed his deepest sympathy with the sons and other relatives in the great loss they had sustained. - The Jury concurred. - Mr Barkell thanked the Coroner and Jury, on behalf of the family, for their kind expressions of sympathy.

STOKE DAMEREL - Fireman's Death At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, on WILLIAM BOYLE, aged 46, fireman in an Admiralty chartered steamship, of Greenock. Mr K. Eyton Peck represented the Admiralty. - Dr M. M. Bainbridge, House Surgeon, said deceased was admitted on the 14th ult., suffering from fractured left ribs. The day after admission he developed pneumonia in the right lung. The cause of death was pneumonia and abscess of the right lung. Deceased had evidently been drinking before he was admitted. - Inspector John Carter, Metropolitan Police, said he saw the man o the deck in the forecastle. He was under the influence of drink, and refused to say how his injuries were caused or what they were. Fleet-Surg. W. Hackett, R.N., attended deceased, and the next day he was removed to Hospital as he had become worse during the night. Witness ascertained that deceased had been quarrelling generally with other members of the crew. - The Coroner said that as the ship had left the port and might not return for a long time, if at all, there was no evidence of what occurred on board excepting what Inspector Carter had obtained. He suggested that the verdict should be in accordance with the medical evidence, with the addition that there was not sufficient evidence to show how the injuries were sustained. - Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 19 February 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Tram Fatality. Old Lady's Jump From Moving Car. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Devonport Guildhall yesterday on ELLEN COOK, aged 65, single, of 42 Cambridge-road, Ford. Mr R. J. Fittall, town clerk, watched the proceedings for the Plymouth Corporation. - Mr W. H. Lamb, St Hilary-terrace, identified deceased, who he said had defective eye-sight, but could hear well. She had been a housekeeper to Mr W. Hocking Cooke for three years. - Mary E. Dand, wife of a warrant officer, living at Craigmore-avenue, said that on Saturday morning she was a passenger in a tramcar travelling from the Theatre Royal to Morice-square. At the bottom of Ford-hill witness asked the conductor to stop at Glenanore-avenue. As the car approached that stopping place it was slowing down and witness got up from her seat. A woman arose in front of witness and got on the step. She jumped from the car in the opposite direction to which it was going and fell on her back. The car stopped directly afterwards and witness alighted. The conductor and driver at once went to deceased's assistance and carried her to 30 Craigmore-avenue. She was unconscious and bleeding from a wound at the back of her head. - By Mr Fittall: The conductor was on the platform. He had rung the bell for the car to stop before deceased left the interior of the car. - By Mr Lamb: Deceased jumped off the car. Witness did not think the car swerving at the points might have thrown her off. - Amelia J. Johnson, Marlborough-row, wife of a naval pensioner, said deceased jumped off in the wrong direction. Witness noticed the conductor put his hand out to try and stop her alighting, and saw her fall flat on her back. A naval officer ran to deceased's assistance just as the car stopped and carried her to Craigmore-avenue. Witness considered that neither the driver nor conductor was to blame. - By the Jury: The car was stopped in its own length. - William N. Maddeford, Glanville-place, Corporation tram conductor, said he was the conductor. He did not particularly notice deceased until the car reached Ford-hill, where Mrs Dand asked him to stop at Craigmore-avenue, and deceased beckoned to him that she also wanted to get out. Just before reaching the stopping place, deceased descended to the step. He touched her arm and told her not to get off until the car stopped, but she jumped clear and fell. Witness at once jumped off, and ran to assist her. He was sure she jumped from the car. - By the Town Clerk: The car had passed the points. - By the Jury: It was part of witness's duty to prevent people jumping off the car, but he could not use force. - Mr Fittall: There are notices in the car warning people not to alight whilst the car is in motion. - Dr R. H. Pullen said death was due to fracture of the base of the skull. There was a small scalp wound, but a large fracture. - The Coroner remarked that there was no discrepancy in the evidence. It was remarkable that deceased should have jumped from the car, as it was against all instincts and common sense, and the warnings in the car and by the conductor. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated the conductor and driver from all blame. - The Coroner thanked Mrs Reed for caring for deceased in her home. - The Town Clerk expressed the sympathy of the Corporation.

PLYMPTON - Quarry Accident At Elburton. Neglect Of Regulations. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Ford Brook, Brixton-road, Plymouth, yesterday, concerning the death of SAMUEL BUDGE, 43 years, of Brixton Torre, who was killed while at work at Stanborough Quarry, Elburton. - Mr Richard King, H.M. Inspector of Quarries, attended; and Mr F. W. Murray (Watts and Anthony, Plymouth) represented the lessee of the quarry (Mr F. J. Moore). - Dr Noy Scott said when he saw deceased about 6 o'clock on Friday evening he was dead. Blood had flowed from both ears, indicative of fracture of the base of the skull; on the left side the pelvis was broken in three or four places, and there was also a large gash in the abdomen. - Frederick Williams, quarryman, living at Pomphlett, said he was at work with BUDGE and Richard Yabsley. The first hole fired was drilled the day before and the upper hole on Friday. BUDGE put a staging between the two holes, the staging being suspended by ropes over the edge of the quarry, and the ropes attached to an iron bar at the top. There was also a rope with a loop suspended from another iron bar. The rope was there according to regulations, but BUDGE did not use it. There was 25 ft. or 26 ft. between the two holes and the staging was about 30 ft. from the ground. The hole first fired was about 4 ft. from the ground. About 3 o'clock deceased charged and fired the bottom hole, and then immediately went up to fire the top hole. He said to Yabsley: "Come on, Dick, and bring the powder; and he had no sooner said this than all the ground came away under him, and he came down with the stuff. The staging remained and how BUDGE slipped off the staging witness did not know. - The Coroner: If he had had the rope round his body he would have been all right? - Oh, yes. - The rope was placed there for the purpose? - Yes, he had put it there himself. - The Coroner: I suppose it was the old story of familiarity breeding contempt. - Witness added that deceased was killed outright. BUDGE had been working in the quarry about 18 months and was ganger. - The Coroner: If he had waited a little time before firing the second hole he might have been all right? - Yes; but he did not wait. It was not five minutes before he went to fire the second hole. - The Coroner: Are there any regulations for this? - The Inspector said there was no regulation directing a man to wait except in the case of a misfire. - The Coroner: But don't you generally wait? - Witness: Yes. - What was the hurry on this occasion; were you on piecework? - No; day work. - The Coroner: Then there was no occasion to hurry? - The Inspector: The idea of firing the bottom hole first was to loosen the toe of the rock? - Yes. - And yet he did not make any examination of the working face of the rock between the firing of the two holes? Not a bit. - Do you remember Regulation 32 says that after firing the workman shall make a special examination of the working place? Did he do that? - No. - He was the man in charge? - Yes. - The Inspector: Well, he should have done so. I am constantly pointing out these rules to men and showing them that they are themselves responsible for carrying them out. Rule 31 says the man engaged in this work shall use the rope provided for the purpose. In this case BUDGE did not examine the ground and did not use the rope. Don't you think that considering the nature of the ground this was a mad thing to do. - Witness: Well, that is exactly what was done. - The Inspector: Yes; and the man has unfortunately lost his life. - The Foreman (Mr Westlake): But is it not the custom to examine the ground after firing? - Yes; but this ganger did not do it. - Mr Murray: So far as the employer was concerned the appliances were there? - The Inspector: Yes; the appliances were there, but unfortunately they were not used. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and Coroner and the Jury expressed sympathy with the widow, who, the Coroner said, had only been recently married. - Mr Murray said Mr Moore would like to identify himself with the expression of sympathy with the widow, and the Foreman intimated that the Jury wished their fees to be given her.

Western Morning News, Thursday 21 February 1918
LONDON - Air Raid Victims. Inquest On MISS KEYWORTH and Mr Monro. - A London Coroner yesterday Inquired into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of seven persons who were killed during the air raid on Saturday. The dead included GERTRUDE LUCE KEYWORTH, aged 28, of 55 Connaught-avenue, Plymouth, and Eric Monro, who were struck down when standing on the pavement in the open. - Before taking evidence the Coroner remarked that these regrettable deaths had become so common now that there was very little more to be said about them. The raids were one of the exhibitions of "kultur," which was a culture of hypocrisy, lying, hatred; and uncharitableness, and they were the policy of a people with whom he hoped we should have but little to do after the ar. "We should treat them as savages," the Coroner concluded, "and I hope that we shall give them a double or treble dose of reprisal mixture during the course of the war." (Hear, hear, from the Jury.) Evidence of identification in the cases of MISS KEYWORTH and Eric Monro (who were an engaged couple) was given by a man named Kay, who said he last saw Monro between one and two o'clock on Saturday afternoon. MISS KEYWORTH was a V.A.D. nurse. Her home was at Plymouth, and she had been nursing in London, although at the time of her death she was on holiday. Witness knew nothing of what happened on Saturday night beyond what he had been told. - Another witness stated that he was walking along a road about a quarter to eleven on Saturday night when his legs became entangled in a telephone wire. He disengaged himself, and noticed a live electric wire. This he dodged and got onto the pavement, when he saw something lying on the footway near a church. Upon approaching it he discovered it was the body of a man lying on top of something which turned out to be the body of a woman. - The Coroner: Did you hear the explosion? - Yes. I was about 500 or 600 yards away. I could not see very much, as the moon was on the wane and the place was more or less in darkness. I noticed that the road was damaged and that heavy stones had been shifted from the pavement. The bomb fell in the roadway. - A Police Constable said he was called to the spot where the explosion occurred, and found that the two bodies had been taken to the Hospital. He searched Monro's clothing and discovered some money, letters, two pipes, and tobacco. In MISS KEYWORTH'S possession when she was killed was a black leather handbag holding a purse (which contained a pound Treasury note and a halfpenny), a Georgian coin, a key, a handkerchief, a gold locket and chain, a gold brooch, and a silver brooch. - The medical evidence showed that Monro had sustained a broken left arm, a large lacerated wound at the back of the left shoulder and a bruised face. The doctor said the injuries were such as might have been caused by a bomb. The deceased man must have been violently thrown down and death was due to shock. - The Coroner suggested that the man's skull had been fractured and the doctor expressed the view that that injury was caused when the man was thrown to the ground after death had taken place. The man's clothing was not burned at all. MISS KEYWORTH, whose death was also due to shock, had sustained, witness said, a deep wound in the right cheek, which was probably caused by a flying fragment of bomb, or a flying stone. Her face was punctured in several places. - This was all the evidence and the Jury returned a verdict in both cases that death was due to shock, caused by the explosion of a bomb thrown from an enemy aircraft and expressed their sympathy with the relatives. - The Coroner remarked that the case of Monro was a very sad one. His two brothers had been killed at the front.

Western Morning News, Saturday 23 February 1918
TORQUAY - Clergyman's Suicide. REV. R. ST. JOHN MITCHELL'S Sad Death At A Torquay Home. - Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, held the Inquest yesterday on REV. RICHARD ST JOHN MITCHELL, aged 47, who sustained fatal injuries by jumping out of a window at St Andrew's Home of Rest, Falkland-road, Torquay, on Wednesday afternoon. Mr Harold Vanstone was Foreman of the Jury. - MISS E. I. R. MITCHELL, of 5 Cambridge Mansions, Bromells-road, Clapham, a licensed lay worker, said her brother was a bachelor. He had been in charge of the parish of Budleigh Salterton for nearly a year as locum tenens during the absence of the vicar abroad, and he lived in rooms. Deceased left Budleigh Salterton on February 2 to come to the home at Torquay, because he had had a mental breakdown. She was telegraphed for in London on January 29 to come to deceased at Budleigh Salterton, where she found him in bed. She stayed with him until he came to Torquay, his removal there being with the approval of Dr Semple, who attended him at Budleigh Salterton. During the few days witness was with deceased at Budleigh Salterton he never threatened to take his life or attempted to do so, and she did not think he had any suicidal tendencies. He suffered from the delusion that people were plotting against him and spreading slanders about him, and that he was being watched by detectives and would be arrested. These were absolute delusions, and there was no foundation for them. At Budleigh Salterton his landlady and her husband were looking after deceased until witness came. She was with him in the home all the time, and helped to nurse him, the lady superintendent being a friend of his. For the first two days after he came to the home his condition was rather worse, but afterwards it improved so much that they sent away the night nurse. The improvement in deceased continued until the night before his death. The day before he was particularly well and free from delusions. During the time he had been at the home he was attended by Dr Spong. On Tuesday deceased had a bad night, the delusions having returned. Sometimes he would be in bed and sometimes lie on the couch by the window. Between 3 and 5 a.m. he said "Let me get to the window," but witness thought that in saying this he was only frightened and wanted to call for help. He did not then get out of bed, as she held his hand and calmed him. She left him to get some rest at 1.30 p.m. on Wednesday after his dinner, which he took very well. When she left deceased he was taken charge of by Nurse Robus, and she asked the working matron to be ready in case help should be needed. Witness went to take some rest and returned to the room soon after 3.30, just after deceased had thrown himself out of the window on to the balcony. She went there to him. He was still living, but quite unconscious and he died just after being brought into the house. She did not think it necessary that deceased should be under control, as she considered the nursing sufficient. They had a man sitting up for nine nights to help the nurse, because they thought deceased might show violence. He had never had a nervous breakdown before, but he had been in a state of depression for some time whilst he was at Budleigh Salterton. He came up to London just before Christmas, and consulted a doctor. Deceased was formerly vicar of Bickington and witness believed that he thought he made a mistake in giving up the living. - Lady Superintendent's Evidence. - Deaconess Harriet Matilda Cheveley, lady superintendent of St Andrew's Home, said she was also the proprietor and manageress. She took milk cases for treatment of patients who could not afford a nursing home. S t Andrew's was not a charitable institution; there were a few voluntary contributions, but there was no appeal to the public. It was a diocesan home, carried on with the sanction of the Bishop, but no funds for it came from the diocese. She received a telegraphic inquiry from MISS MITCHELL if she could receive her brother, who had had a nervous breakdown and she replied that she would do so with pleasure, and the next day he arrived with his sister and a trained nurse. She (witness) made an exception in taking in this case because she knew deceased was a priest in holy orders and that he belonged to the diocesan mission and also hearing his sister belonged to the diocesan society. Deceased arrived on the Saturday, and on the Sunday he became worse and got out of bed. He had no suicidal mania, but he wanted to get away, as he was under the delusion that he was in a private lunatic asylum. She had the window screwed down and she asked the doctor to get another nurse, and they also got a man named Luscombe to come in by night. In a few days, after taking medicine, deceased got right again. - The Coroner: Didn't you think this was an unsuitable place to have a patient of that sort? - Witness replied that she should have thought so perhaps if she had known beforehand, but when deceased had come they did their best to treat him, for better or worse. She was not aware that he had any suicidal tendencies until the fatal occurrence happened. When he went for a drive the day before he never attempted to get out of the carriage. She had ten patients in the home, all females; there was a working matron and nurses were got from outside. They had never taken a gentleman patient before. After the man had been there nine nights deceased became perfectly quiet and the man said he did not see the necessity of his remaining any longer. Before he went to Budleigh Salterton deceased had been working very hard in the parish of St Michael's, Paddington, and he was perfectly worked out. Whilst he was in his room he was never without two persons in attendance. No letter written by deceased had been found. - The Coroner, after mentioning that deceased fell a distance of between 30 and 40 feet, said the circumstances left no doubt that he jumped out of the window for the purpose of taking his life, and there was also very little doubt that he was of unsound mind at the time. It was stated in evidence that deceased exhibited no suicidal tendencies but at the same time there was some idea that he was in such a serious condition that he might display violence, because certain precautions were taken, such as screwing up the window and having a man to look after him, precautions which were quite right and necessary; but this home did not strike one as the right sort of institution to treat and take proper charge of a patient who suffered from delusions and exhibited violence. The fact that deceased was a friend of the lady superintendent accounted for her admitting a patient who under ordinary circumstances she would not have admitted. That was the explanation; otherwise one would feel that it was a risky and undesirable thing to admit to the house a patient of this sort, suffering from delusions and exhibiting violence, and not having the necessary equipment to cope with such a case. - The Jury returned a verdict that deceased came to his death by a fracture of the skull, the result of his jumping from a top window of the house, and that he was of Unsound Mind at the time.

Western Morning News, Monday 25 February 1918
ST MARYCHURCH - Torquay Boy's Terrible Death. - In St Marychurch Townhall on Saturday Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, held an Inquest on JOHN HENRY JOSEPH POMEROY, aged six, who died on Thursday from injuries caused in a rather extraordinary way. The boy was the son of parents living in Parkfield-road, Upton, Torquay, and running after a four-wheel coal cart he got up at the back and put his legs over the axle on the near side and whilst in this position his head and the upper part of his body by some means got drawn in between the spring and the wheel, with the result that his chest was so jambed against the iron tyre that his ribs were bent and pressed against the lungs and heart, causing almost instantaneous death. - Whilst in this position, with his feet just touching the ground, the boy was carried about half a mile, and he was not discovered until the cart reached the Havelock Arms, St Marychurch, at the rear of which is the stable of the driver, George Sharland, coal dealer, who had brought a quantity of coal from Torre Railway Station. He found the boy in the position described on jumping off to lead his horse and he at once shouted to Dr Pitt-Palmer of Babbacombe, who happened to be approaching the spot in his motor car and who tried to extricate the boy by removing bolts from the wheel, P.C. Toose assisting and taking out the body, which he removed to the mortuary near. - The driver of the cart is exceedingly deaf, and it was suggested that he could not have heard the boy if he had called out, but the doctor remarked that this could not have been the case, as the breath must have been squeezed out of his body almost immediately. - The Coroner commented on the extraordinary nature of the accident and the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated the driver from blame.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 26 February 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Victim Of Air Attacks. London Woman's Tragic Death At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Ford last evening on HELEN MARY PEGLEY, aged 31, wife of a driver in the R.N.A.S., who died from a self-inflicted wound at her house, 33 St Vincent-street, Devonport, on Saturday. HENRY H. PEGLEY, the husband, said on September 29 deceased left London for Devonport, to live with relatives whilst he was serving abroad. Last Friday week he returned from abroad on leave in consequence of her illness. She then seemed to be all right, with the exception that she complained of nerves. Her condition was due to her having been in London during the air raids, including that on September 28, the day before she left for Devonport. She gave birth to a child on November 24. There were two other children besides the baby. During Friday night he woke and found his wife standing in front of the washstand. He got her to return to bed and went to sleep. Next he was aroused by the baby crying. He got out of bed and found deceased lying on the floor on her face by the side of the bed. He called her sister, and they found she was dead. She was lying in a pool of blood. - RUTH ADA KEEN, 33 St Vincent-street, said when deceased came to Devonport she was in a very bad state of health, and seemed almost distracted. She said she had been out all the previous night with her children sheltering from the aid raids. Bombs had dropped near her house and she said she had seen a whole street of houses demolished. They had tried to keep her mind away from air raids, and until her child was born she seemed a bit better. After the confinement she could not sleep, and got in a very low state. Dr Wagner was called in and she had been under his treatment ever since. Deceased had several times said that life was not worth living. - Dr W. J. Gard said death was due to the injuries to the throat. - The Coroner remarked the poor woman's death was to be directly attributed to the ruthless air attacks upon innocent citizens in London by the Germans, her nerves having been affected to such an extent that she was driven out of her mind. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane," and endorsed the Coroner's remarks.

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Tragedy. Sailor Who Was At Mons Charged With Manslaughter. - An Inquest was held at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, by Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, on ROBERT EDMUNDS, aged 48, widower, of Treville-street, a journeyman baker and confectioner. John Pillips Martin Done, stoker, Royal Fleet Res., of the R.N. Barracks, who stands charged with causing the man's death, was present, and was represented by Mr Isaac Foot. - P.C. Davey said he was on duty in the gallery of the Palace Theatre, which has a cement floor, at the second performance on Saturday. Just inside the door is a platform about two feet high, reached by three steps. At 9.50 p.m. witness's attention was drawn to accused, who had hold of deceased by the coat, shook him and then gave him a push, causing him to fall backwards over the three steps mentioned. Deceased's head pitched on the cement floor. With assistance witness picked up EDMUNDS and carried him out on to the landing, where it was found he was unconscious. Accused followed, and said "That man (meaning deceased) had his hand in my pocket. I pulled it out and pushed him away and he fell over the steps. He will be all right directly; he is full up with 'booze.'" Accused, without being asked, handed witness his victualling card, so that he might take all particulars. A witness, Dyer, also said that the injured man put his hand in his pocket. The injured man was conveyed to the Hospital in the motor ambulance. Witness was satisfied deceased was perfectly free from intoxicating liquor. - By a Juror: Witness did not see Done strike deceased, only push him. - Herbert Dyer, Octagon-street, a 'bus driver, who was in the gallery, said he was watching the entertainment when he felt deceased put his hand in his (witness's) pocket, which contained nothing. Witness said, "Old sport, what is the game?" and deceased replied "I am sorry," whereupon witness told him "to shift, or I will put something on your chin." Witness made no complaint. - The Coroner: You ought to have made some complaint; he might have tried it on someone else. - Witness added he did not take the incident seriously; it might have been a joke, or deceased might have made a mistake. - Ernest G. Jago, High-street, Stonehouse, a checker at the Palace, spoke to Done complaining about a man putting his hand in his pocket, and saying, "If he does it again I shall punch him." Witness saw Done pull deceased round and deceased fell backwards, his head striking the bottom of the steps. Witness saw no blow struck. - John Phillip Martin Done, the accused man, who was wearing the Mons ribbon, and said he also served nearly twelve months in Gallipoli, and had a clean record, stated that deceased, whom he did not know, spoke to him and offered a cigarette, which he declined. Later deceased put his arm round witness and tried to work his purse out of his pocket. Witness said nothing, but walked away and complained to the attendant. Deceased followed witness outside, whereupon witness returned to the gallery. Deceased came and stood behind him and in a minute or two again started trying to work out the purse from witness's pocket. Witness felt deceased's two fingers trying to get the purse, so witness moved his hand to attract the attendant's attention and said to deceased, "What's the game?" Witness then pushed deceased, who fell backwards over the handrail. Witness was not aware they were so near the rail and the steps, or he would not have pushed him. He had no intention of doing deceased any harm and expressed to the Police sorrow at the occurrence. - The House Surgeon at the Hospital said death was due to a fracture of the base of the skull. The case was hopeless from the first. - The Jury agreed that EDMUNDS' death was a direct outcome of the fall, due to his being pushed by Done, and therefore returned a verdict of "Manslaughter." - Earlier in the day Done was charged at the Police Court with causing the death of EDMUNDS, and was remanded until Thursday on his own recognizances.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 27 February 1918
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on CHARLES FREDERICK KNOWLES, aged 13, son of a private in the Royal Marines. - Mrs Hill said she was in the passage of the Royal Marine Barracks on February 10, when she saw the deceased fall over the bannisters, a distance of 40 feet, on to the cement floor. He was immediately removed to the Homeopathic Hospital. - Dr Wilmot, House Surgeon, stated that deceased was suffering from a severe fracture and a broken left leg. He remained unconscious until his death, which took place on Sunday. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest on GEORGE FREDERICK SARGEANT, aged 8. The boy's father stated that about 7.30 on Sunday morning, on hearing his daughter, age 10, scream, he rushed into the room where the children were, and saw his son in the corner in a mass of flames. He extinguished the flames, getting burnt himself in the process. His son had lit the gas ring on the stove and on climbing a chair to get something out of the cupboard his nightdress became ignited. - Dr Wilmot stated that death was due to shock, the result of the burns. - Verdict: "Accidental Death," the Jury expressing sympathy with the father.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Stonehouse Woman's Suicide. - An Inquest was held at Stonehouse yesterday, before Mr R. Robinson Rodd, on ANN GRUITT, 74, of Union-place, who was found dead, suspended by a sash cord to a nail in the door of her house on Saturday. - It was reported that she had been depressed and greatly worried about the rationing; she said the bread upset her. - Verdict: "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

Western Morning News, Monday 4 March 1918
DARTMOUTH - River Dart Mystery. - Mr A. M. Davson, Coroner, held an Inquest at Dartmouth on Saturday on JOHN FOOTMAN GOURLAY, aged 16, whose body was recovered from the River Dart on Friday. The lad had been missing since January 20. On the morning of that day he was sent from the Royal Naval College, where he was employed as pantry boy, to fetch newspapers for the officers' mess and was not seen again. His cap was found in the river on the day he disappeared. - First Class Petty Officer W. H. Horton stated that on Friday morning a steamer in Dartmouth Harbour hailed him and told him there was a body in the water. He manned a boat and picked it up. - P.S. Leach said the remains were badly decomposed. In the clothing were 5d. in coppers, a notebook and a written copy of Shakespeare's will. Inquiries had been made, but there was nothing to show how he got into the water. - The Coroner said the boy was of a cheerful disposition and happy at his work. He was afraid there must be an Open Verdict. - Verdict: "Found Drowned."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 5 March 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Fatal Fall Overboard. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Keyham yesterday on ALBERT SPILLER, aged 38, of Barton-road, Canning Town, who met his death by falling from a ship. - George Bargery identified the body, and said he met deceased outside the Dockyard last Saturday. As deceased complained of a shortage of matches, witness offered to give him some if he cared to go on board witness's ship. Deceased did so, but witness heard no more of him until he was informed that a man had fallen overboard. - John Durham, fourth engineer, said he was aboard last Saturday evening and saw deceased arrive at 9.45. As deceased went up the gangway and attempted to mount the ladder, he slipped and was precipitated into the water. Witness hurriedly told the chief engineer and a sailor and the latter, with a rope endeavoured to rescue the deceased. A float was in the water and it is presumed that deceased struck h is head against it. The ladder was a "step" ladder, not a "rung" ladder and the gangway was quite straight. - James Reegan, able seaman, said he jumped into the water and pulled deceased out. Deceased's face and head were battered and he was dead. It was not very easy to get into the gangway, though the light was good. - Fleet-Surg. J. D. Hughes said when he saw the body at 10 p.m. on Saturday life was extinct. A superficial examination showed that there were severe injuries to the head and a very extensive injury to the brain. Death was due to fracture of the skull. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Thursday 7 March 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Tregantle Cliff Accident. Officer's Sad Death. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Military Hospital, yesterday, on Sec.-Lt. WILLIAM HARDWICK STOWE, Devonshire Regt., who died as a result of an accident on Monday. - C.Q.M.S. JOHN STOWE, stationed at York, said deceased, his son, would have been 21 years of age had he lived until May. He joined the Gordon Highlanders at the age of 18, had been in France, and had been wounded. He received a commission in the Devons recently. - Sec.-Lt. Claude Harold Deeks, Devons, said he joined the depot on the same day as deceased, February 21. They were ordered to Tregantle Fort on Sunday for a course of revolver instruction. They left the camp at 4.45 p.m. on Monday and went down to the beach by the fort. After walking about half a mile deceased suggested that they should climb the rocks. Not being fond of climbing, witness refused at first, and advised deceased not to do so. Deceased, however, began to climb a ledge of rock about three feet wide, the ascent of which was rather steep, witness following. He saw deceased about 30 yards further up the cliff, and started to walk towards the sea. Then witness heard a thud, and running over to the rocks under the cliff found deceased in a sitting position on a rock, with his leg under him. Two sailors rendered assistance, and one went for a doctor and a stretcher to the fort. Unfortunately, the doctor was not available and the R.N.A.S. authorities sent a medical officer, who met deceased on the way to the camp. Deceased complained of pain in his arms and legs whilst being taken on the stretcher. In the opinion of witness, deceased stopped his climbing to look at the sea. The movement made him shift his position and slip on the loose earth. - Capt. Frank Henderson Everill, R.A.M.C., said deceased was brought to the Military Hospital on Monday evening in an unconscious condition, suffering from shock. Both thigh-bones and his right forearm were broken, and there was a deep lacerated wound across the palm of the right hand. Growing gradually worse, he died at 3.15 in the morning without regaining consciousness. Death was due to shock, following upon extensive internal injuries resulting from the fall. - The Coroner expressed sorrow at the sad accident. It was very regrettable that deceased should have met his death in such a way a few weeks after gaining his commission. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," expressing sympathy with the parents.

Western Morning News, Friday 8 March 1918
PLYMOUTH - South Devon Farmer's Sad Death. - At an Inquest by Mr R. B. Johns, at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital yesterday, on ALBERT NEAL, farmer, of Glebe Farm, Littlehempston, his brother-in-law, Joseph Hacker, farmer, of Crownhill, said about a week before Christmas deceased was shooting rabbits, when one escaped. Running forward to see where it had gone, he fell over the stump of a tree and injured himself internally. There was no one with him at the time; deceased said it was a pure accident. He was treated at the Cottage Hospital, and later removed to Plymouth for treatment. - Dr Woo, House Surgeon, said deceased was admitted to the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital on February 14 suffering from sceptic condition of a ruptured kidney. An operation was performed for the removal of the organ, but death ensued on the 4th inst., as the result of septic poisoning. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 11 March 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Motor Fatality. - At the Inquest at Plymouth on Saturday on ERNEST COPSEY, Shaftesbury-cottages, 8, son of a postman, who was knocked down by Dr G. C. F. Robinson's car in Deptford-place the previous dinner time, the evidence showed that Dr Robinson was driving slowly and sounding his horn, because of the number of children in the road, but deceased, who was chasing another child, ran out from Providence-street, directly in front of the car, and was knocked down, fracturing the skull. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and Dr Robinson, through his solicitor, Mr Isaac Foot, joined with the Jury in an expression of sympathy with the parents.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 13 March 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - Suicide Of An E.R.A. - An Inquest was held at the R.N. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on ALFRED CHARLES HOLYOAK, 38, engine-room artificer, who committed suicide on Sunday. MR JOHN HOLYOAK, Leicester, foreman yarn spinner, identified the body as that of his son, and said deceased joined the Navy for the duration of the war. He was suffering, when witness saw him recently, in his head, and was in a nervous condition. He had left a widow and four children. In civil life he was a mechanic, and had been a volunteer in the Boer war. He was a sensitive, highly-strung man, and not very communicative. Although he suffered from pains in his head very badly during his illness, there was nothing in his letters indicative of an intention to harm himself. The strain of work in a destroyer no doubt affected his health. - Wardmaster Ernest French said that his attention was drawn by the night patrol on Sunday at 1.45 a.m. to the absence of deceased. As a result of a search he found him in the corner of a balcony. Witness went for assistance, but on returning found deceased lying with his throat cut, a razor by his side. Whilst witness was assisting the stretcher-bearers deceased changed his position and fell from 25 to 30 feet over the edge of the parapet. - Mr A. N. F. Goodman, appearing for MR HOLYOAK, observed that there was no railing at that part of the parapet. - The Coroner, however, said that nobody had any right to be out there. - Fleet-Surg. Bond, R.N., said deceased was suffering from neurasthenia, but had not been under observation for mental trouble. His condition was such that he might have had a sudden impulse during temporary insanity. Death was due to shock and haemorrhage from the wound in the throat. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned, the Jury expressing sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.

Western Morning News, Saturday 16 March 1918
PLYMOUTH - Coloured Men's Quarrel. Verdict Of "Wilful Murder" At Plymouth Inquest. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital yesterday on THOMAS PADMORE. - The Coroner said this was a sordid case, such as they were not often troubled with at Plymouth. Deceased was a man of colour, and so also was the man, Albert Wilson, who was believed to have inflicted the injuries which it was suggested had caused his death. A quarrel seems to have arisen between the two men, really on account of a woman with whom PADMORE had been living for about four years. Apparently Wilson had been interfering in some way, and PADMORE had ordered him out of the house. A woman named White, who lived in the same with Wilson, said on the night of the occurrence, January 12, she heard Wilson say several times, "I will kill CHARLIE (meaning PADMORE) before I leave tomorrow." She saw him go into his room and fetch some weapon. Afterwards a knife was found in the stretcher on which PADMORE was taken to Hospital, and Wilson admitted that the knife was his. It would be for the Jury to say, first, whether the wounds deceased received were inflicted by Wilson, and, secondly, whether they caused his death. Assuming they did cause his death, the Jury would have to say whether they considered it a case of manslaughter or wilful murder. - Mr W. H. Soloman watched the case for the accused man Wilson, and the Chief Constable, Mr H. H. Sanders, also attended. - Nellie Gardener, with whom the deceased lived, Mrs Florrie White and P.C. Robert Morgan gave evidence. - Morgan said he had known PADMORE four or five years; he was a quiet, well-behaved man and so was Wilson, whom he had known about 18 months. PADMORE was employed in the Dockyard; Wilson was a seaman and was only at home at intervals for a few days at a time. - Dr Woo, House Surgeon, said deceased was admitted to the Hospital suffering from wounds on the scalp and left arm. One wound went right through the arm, dividing nerve and muscle. It was a dangerous wound and the haemorrhage continued for some time. The man died on Wednesday. He found also there was extensive tubercular disease of both lungs. This he called a secondary and not a primary cause of death. - The Coroner: Do you mean that if these wounds had not been inflicted he would have died of consumption? - Dr Woo said after his return from the Police Court he examined PADMORE, who told him that the day before he was stabbed he was quite well; had always been a strong man. But the stabbing accelerated his death. The excessive loss of blood allowed the germs of consumption to get the upper hand. PADMORE also sometimes refused his food, saying that he wanted to die. - A Juryman: He had lost heart. - Dr Woo: Yes. - The Coroner said the Jury had to decide whether Wilson had made up his mind to do such injury to PADMORE, as might result in his death? It was murder if Wilson had premeditated PADMORE'S death. If the Jury thought it was not done deliberately it was manslaughter. - The Jury retired to consider their verdict. After a while they wanted to know how the knife came in the stretcher. - P.C. Morgan said the knife was found in the stretcher after he arrived at the Hospital. He did not know how it got there, unless it had been left in the man's clothes. - The Foreman said the Jury were quite satisfied that Wilson had threatened PADMORE'S life and therefore returned a verdict of "Wilful Murder."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 20 March 1918
PLYMOUTH - At the Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on MRS CHARLOTTE MOLE, aged 60, of Embankment-road,, who was found lying dead in a wash-house, a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

PLYMOUTH - At the Inquest yesterday, at Plymouth on WILLIAM MATTHEWS, aged 72, of 11 Ladysmith-road, widower, who was found dead by his niece, a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

TIVERTON - An Inquest was held at Tiverton last evening on ANN DUNN, aged 83, of Bampton, widow of the former licensee of the Railway Hotel, Culmstock. Deceased lived alone, a neighbour cooking &c. for her. In the temporary absence of the neighbour about three weeks ago deceased attempted to get out of bed to take a saucepan off the fire, and fell with her legs doubled under her. Both legs were broken and one hip dislocated and she died this week from bronchitis, largely resulting from the injuries. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Friday 22 March 1918
PLYMOUTH - Opening Of Inquest. - At the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, opened an Inquest on LILY ELIZABETH FREEMAN, wife of a railway porter, who died in the Institution the previous day. - The Coroner explained that he only proposed that day to take evidence of identification, and then adjourn the Inquiry to a later date. It was suggested that the deceased woman was illegally operated on and as the result of that she died. - Mr Foot, who represented the person who was alleged to have performed the operation, desired that the stomach should be examined in addition to the post-mortem examination, and the House Surgeon had arranged to send it to the Public Analyst at Exeter. He suggested, therefore, that the Inquiry should be adjourned until April 3. - MRS EMMA BATEMAN, wife of a gardener at Egg Buckland, identified the body as that of her daughter. She was 27 years of age and the wife of WILLIAM GEORGE FREEMAN, a porter on the Great Western Railway. - On this evidence the Inquest was adjourned until April 3.

Western Morning News, Monday 25 March 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - Shipwright's Fatal Fall. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Plymouth, on Saturday, on WILLIAM ROLLAND, aged 58, shipwright, H.M. Dockyard, who fell from a ship in the yard. - Percival Knight, skilled labourer, H.M. Dockyard, stated that he was working with deceased on 15th inst. There was a ladder up the side of the ship on which they were working and as deceased was climbing it his foot seemed to slip and he fell on to a staging below, a distance of 25 feet. He was picked up, slightly conscious, and taken to the R.N. Hospital. - Tempy. Surg. Jenkins, R.N., said the result of a post-mortem examination showed that death was due to fractured ribs. - The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 26 March 1918
PLYMOUTH - Child's Fall Over Cliff. - At the Homeopathic Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an Inquiry into the death of WILLIAM JOHN WEEKS, aged 6, son of FREDERICK WEEKS, of Buckfastleigh, a private in the Machine Gun Corps. - MRS HILDA WEEKS, the mother, stated she was on a visit to Plymouth with her four children. On the 18th she went with them for a walk at West Hoe. Deceased ran on ahead and climbed the wall over-looking the beach. While she was attending to a younger child he fell off the wall and over the cliff. - Dr Wilmot, Honorary Surgeon, stated that when admitted the boy was unconscious and suffering from injuries to the head. He never regained consciousness, but died on Friday. - Verdict "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 27 March 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - Naval Youth's Sad Death. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, concerning the death of JOHN THOMAS SPOONER, aged 17, youth, H.M.S. Powerful. - Ernest D. D. Brown, second sick-berth steward, said deceased was admitted to Trevol sick quarters on February 24, suffering from German measles. On the 11th inst. he was allowed recreation in the grounds and indulged in a game of football with other boys of like age. The next day he had a pain in his back and attributed it to a blow received whilst playing football. On 19th inst. he was sent to the R.N. Hospital where his illness grew worse and he succumbed on 24th inst. - Tempy. Surg. D. M. Connan, R.N., said he made a post-mortem examination, and found that death was due to disease of the dorsal vertebrae, which probably existed long before the lad was admitted to the Hospital. The violent exertion and blow in the football match, however, might have aggravated the disease. - The Coroner considered the evidence of accident was insufficient to return a verdict from such a cause. - the Jury concurred and returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Monday 1 April 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - At an Inquest on LILY BLANCHE ROSS, aged 23, of The Cottage, Devonport Gunwharf, a teacher at Somerset-place Council School, who died on Thursday, the mother said she went to school as usual on Tuesday, but in the evening complained of stomach pains and stayed in bed on Wednesday. She was treated for a bilious attack. On Thursday morning she was faint and sick and passed away. Dr J. E. C. Wilson said death was due to syncope, resulting from a congenital defect. Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 3 April 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Spirits From The Sea. Soldier Dies From The Effects Of Drinking. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Military Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, on PTE. ALFRED EDWIN FENNELL, aged 36, Southern Command Labour Centre, who died on Saturday. - Lt. W. C. W. Holmes stated that at 4 p.m. on Good Friday he found that, judging by the condition of certain men at Rennie, there was a good deal of liquor about. Knowing that no spirits were sold there, he came to the conclusion that some spirits had been washed ashore. He walked to the beach and saw a 36-gallon cask with a number of men round it. He found the cask contained some kind of spirits, and had it taken to the camp and placed under lock and key. One of the men under witness's command died about that time through consuming the spirit. Witness saw FENNELL on Saturday morning, when he was being examined by the Medical Officer at the camp. The man was in great pain and in a partly unconscious state. Witness had been told that he had been gassed at the front. He understood deceased was a married man with three children. Deceased was removed to the Hospital. According to inquiries, deceased had drunk a little of the spirit in the cask. When witness saw the men on the beach a lot of them were in varying stages of intoxication. There were no non-commissioned officers with the party on the beach. The cask contained no marks of any kind. - Sgt. G. Whitehead said that on Good Friday deceased said he had been for a walk and had enjoyed himself. He was quite rational then, but when witness returned from having his tea he had gone to bed. Witness thought that probably the man was tired, and no further notice was taken. At 7.30 the next morning he could not wake deceased, who was smelling of alcohol. - A question arising as to deceased having gone to bed so early not arousing suspicion, Sec.-Lt. S. F. Head stated that it was not unusual for men in the Labour Corps to go to bed early, as they worked very hard. - Cpl. R. Nancollas, R.A.M.C., Military Hospital, said FENNELL was conscious from time to time before he died. As he smelt strongly of drink witness asked where he obtained it, and he said he had had only one drink. - Capt. W. J. Phillips, R.A.M.C., said that when admitted to the Hospital FENNELL was extremely ill. Witness questioned him and obtained the following statement:- "I drank some liquor found on the beach in the company of a black man yesterday afternoon. I only drank on one occasion, but I suffered a terrible night with pain and inability to sleep." He died an hour later. Witness made a post mortem examination, and found all the organs healthy excepting the left lung, in which there was old-standing tuberculosis, whilst the bases of both lungs were extremely congested. The stomach did not contain alcohol. The cause of death was alcoholic poisoning, brought about by imbibing spirituous liquor, accelerated by its effect upon a devitalised system caused by pulmonary tuberculosis. Witness had examined a sample of the liquor in the Hospital laboratory and found it very potent. He believed it to be either rum or brandy. - The Coroner said that if anyone in authority had been on the beach the men would not have been permitted to consume the liquor, but, of course, the men could not always be under control. - Verdict according to the medical evidence.

Western Morning News, Thursday 4 April 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Woman's Death. Coroner's Jury Return A Verdict Of "Wilful Murder." - The Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, held an Inquest at the Mortuary yesterday on LILY ELIZABETH FREEMAN, 27, wife of a railway porter, living in Kensington-terrace, in connection with whose death a women named Mitchell, living in Ford Park-lane, has been charged before the Magistrates. The Chief Constable, Mr Herbert Sanders, attended and Mr Isaac Foot watched the proceedings in the interests of Mrs Mitchell. - The Coroner stated that the Inquest had been adjourned in order that an examination of some of the organs of the body might be made, with a view to ascertaining whether or not deceased had taken poison, as Mr Foot suggested, before the alleged operation took place. The report of Dr Tickle, Public Analyst, Exeter, now received, disposed of any such suspicion he thought. Dr Tickle's report stated that the organs examined showed no trace of drugs calculated to produce abortion, whilst bottles forwarded by the Police contained nothing which could support the suspicion. - MRS BATEMAN, Moor View-cottages, Egg Buckland, mother of the deceased, stated that on March 13 deceased gave her a note to take to Nurse Mitchell, Ford Park-lane. She did so, and on the following Thursday morning Mitchell came to deceased's house. A conversation between Mitchell and deceased ensued. The latter stated her condition and Mitchell said she would "see what she could do." Deceased and Mitchell then went into the bedroom. What happened witness did not know, but Mitchell, reappearing after a quarter of an hour, said " I think this little case is all right." Mitchell was given a one pound note and left. About midnight the following night deceased had a miscarriage. The next Tuesday deceased was so unwell that Dr Price was called and he ordered the woman's immediate removal to Hospital. - Cross-examined by Mr Foot, witness denied knowing that her daughter had been taking "stuff," and having remarked in consequence that it was no wonder she was looking ill. She claimed also to be innocent of the uses of certain instruments which were found in the room. - Detective-Supt. Martin deposed, in company with Special Constable H. Teague, to interviewing Mrs Emily Mitchell at Ford Park-lane on March 19, and telling her that MRS FREEMAN was lying in a serious condition at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital as the result, it was alleged, of an illegal operation performed by her. On being arrested Mitchell replied that deceased sent her a note asking if she could help her. She gave her a draught and used an instrument. She was subsequently charged with causing the death of the woman, when in the course of a long statement Mitchell said deceased told her she had spent over £5 in drugs and would rather die than go through with it. - Dr Woo, House Surgeon, S.D. and E.C. Hospital, said deceased when admitted on March 19 was suffering from septic poisoning as the result of a miscarriage, and died the following day. A post-mortem examination disclosed no signs of irritant poison. - The Jury, after a long delay, returned a verdict of "Wilful Murder."

Western Morning News, Friday 5 April 1918
PLYMOUTH - Fatal Accident At Plymouth. - An Inquest was held at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on ALFRED WILLIAM TOLCHER, of Gillwell-street, butcher's labourer. TOLCHER was seen by P.C. Stoneman in the morning leading a mule in Lipson-road, obviously nervous of the animal, which was, however, quiet enough. When the man came to the Lipson railway arch the mule bolted, dragging him along for some distance and he was picked up, much bruised about the head, but quite conscious. He was taken to the Hospital, where he died twelve hours later. - Dr W. J. Woo said compression of the brain, due to injuries sustained, was the cause of death. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Saturday 6 April 1918
PLYMOUTH - Fatal Accident At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on ARTHUR WILLIAM PUGSLEY, carter, of Owen's-place, William's-lane. On March 12 PUGSLEY was driving for Messrs. F. J. W. Nicholls from Burrington-street, to Norley-street, when the lorry was run into by a Corporation tramcar. PUGSLEY was thrown from the shafts, but though shaken, helped to unload the flour in the overturned lorry. On March 30 he was engaged at Peverel, carrying coke across planks about three feet from the ground. From rain the planks were slippery and he fell with a bag of coke on his shoulders. When he got up he complained of his head. He was admitted to the Hospital on April 1, suffering from cerebral irritation and died on the 4th from meningitis. - Dr Woo, the House Surgeon, said the accident might have been the determining cause. - Verdict: "Accidental Death." - Mr Croft was present on behalf of Messrs. Nicholls.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 9 April 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Fatality. - At Plymouth Mortuary yesterday Mr R. B. Johns, Borough Coroner, held an inquiry into the death of HENRY SKILTON, a lad of 15 years of age, who was fatally injured at the Great Western Docks. Mr Morris, Inspector of Factories, watched the proceedings and Mr J. P. Dobell appeared for the employers, E. M. Jewson and Co. - Charles Dyer, machinist, stated that on Friday deceased was assisting him at Messrs. Jewson's works at the Great Western Docks. They were cutting blocks off some larch trees. This work necessitated the removal of the guard from the saw. He told deceased to stand aside at the end of the bench. By some means he got his hand in the chain, which drew him backwards. Hearing screams witness immediately stopped the machinery, but deceased fell across the saw. - Dr Leah stated that the saw had cut through deceased's ribs on the left side. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

EAST STONEHOUSE - Devonport Shipwright's Death. - The Inquiry into the death of ERNEST GEORGE COURTIOUR, 29, Pellow-place, Devonport, a shipwright in the Dockyard, adjourned for the attendance of H.M. Inspector of Factories, was resumed yesterday by Mr R. Robinson Rodd, jun., at the Naval Hospital. - Ewart L. Richards, chargeman of shipwrights, said that at 7.35 a.m. on Friday deceased was making the hatches secure of a steamship. To do so he climbed on a transverse girder, and the fall of the centre fore and aft girder caused him to fall 25 feet into the hold. Three hatches fell on deceased. The girder had become short by wear and tear, but only a critical examination would have revealed the defect. - Surg. R. E. Smith, R.N., said deceased was in a dying condition when admitted to the R.N. Hospital, and expired at 9.10 a.m. from fracture of the base of the skull. - Verdict - "Accidental Death." - Mr E. R. Cumbe, on behalf of the manager of the Constructive Department, expressed sympathy with deceased's family. He was an excellent workman and held in very high esteem by his officers and fellow-workmen.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 16 April 1918
PLYMOUTH - Verdict: "Natural Causes." - At the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital yesterday Mr J. Graves, Deputy Borough Coroner, held an inquiry into the death of JOHN HENRY TICKLE, farm labourer, of At Stephen's-by-Saltash, aged 58. - Dr Woo, House Surgeon, stated that deceased was admitted on April 6 suffering from intestinal obstruction. He was examined under anaesthetics and it was found that the obstruction was produced by a bradawl. Subsequently peritonitis supervened, from which he died. The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes, resulting from obstruction produced by the bradawl."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 17 April 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Rifle Fatality. Inquest On MR E. W. TOPE: Verdict Of Suicide. - Mr John Graves, Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at the Mortuary, Plymouth, yesterday, on ENOCH WILLIAM TOPE, 40, West Hoe-terrace, tent and tarpaulin manufacturer, who was found at his home on Saturday with a bullet wound in the head and died some time later at a nursing home. - Mr Percy T. Pearce watched the case on behalf of an assurance society. - William J. Porter, Eddystone-terrace, a neighbour and friend, stated that he met deceased on Saturday morning on his way to business and arranged to meet him at his house in the afternoon. Witness arrived a few minutes after three and was admitted by the servant, who said "WILLIE is expecting you, and is now in the workroom." Proceeding to this room, which was in the basement, he found deceased in a sitting posture in a chair, bleeding from the forehead. He shouted to deceased, but got no reply, and then leaving the room and closing the door warned the girl, whom he met in the stairs, that something had happened, and forbade her on any account to enter the room. It was not true that the girl had previously told him that she had been to the door and heard MR TOPE breathing hard. MRS TOPE and the children were away in the country. Witness hurried to the G.W. Docks for the purpose of finding Lt. Thorne, their mutual friend and telephoning for a doctor. Pending the arrival of the doctor he returned to the house with a sergt. of the Medical Corps, and they rendered the unconscious man such assistance as they could. Up to that time witness had not noticed the rifle, although realising what had happened. Dr Parsloe had arrived before the observed the rifle lying on the floor by the side of a table. It was a miniature rifle. Formerly he and deceased were members of the same rifle club. - The Coroner: Was there anything in his circumstances which would lead one to draw conclusions? - I do not think so. He has not been well for some time and has not been able to sleep, but I do not think he had any troubles. He was practically a life-long teetotaler, and had a good business. - Mr Pearce: Was he subject to fits of depression? - I could not tell you. I have been with him for the last two years and I have not seen anything wrong. - Was he depressed inconsequence of his inability to sleep? - I could not answer that; I do not know. - MRS TOPE said she and her daughter were at Elburton on Saturday afternoon. Her husband had told her that Mr Porter was calling for him and that they would spend the afternoon together. - The Coroner: Has he been suffering from loss of sleep? - Not very much. One gets depressed in these times. - Was he depressed? - Very little. - Will you agree that he has been suffering from loss of sleep? - No. I do not agree with that. I do not think there was anything the matter with him. He carried on his business and was there on Saturday morning. He had no business troubles, nor worries of any description. - The Foreman: Had he any military worries? - No. - No papers calling him up? - No. Witness added that deceased's father and mother, who lived in the same house, were at home at the time. - Dr Parsloe spoke to being called at 3.15 and finding deceased lying on the floor (Mr Porter had lifted him from the chair) with a small gunshot wound in the forehead and unconscious. He came to the conclusion deceased was suffering from compression of the brain, and called Dr Simpson into consultation. Dr Waterfield arrived about the same time. Deceased was removed to the North Friary Nursing Home, where he was X-rayed. This revealed a bullet at the base of the brain and a great deal of haemorrhage. Death occurred 20 minutes after the X-ray photograph had been taken, and before an operation could be performed. - Dr W. H. Waterfield said the rifle, which had a single chamber, and had recently been discharged, was lying on the floor by the side of a work bench. - The Coroner: If it was discharged by deceased, how could it have been discharged? - I could not tell how he could do it, unless he was looking down the muzzle. There was no string attached. - Has there been anything wrong with him lately? - He had consulted me about getting short sleep. He used to worry because he only had five hours' sleep instead of eight, and I told him five was enough for anybody. - Mr Pearce: Rightly or wrongly, he worried about this sleeplessness? - He was always of a worrying disposition, of nervous temperament. - Did you prescribe for him? - Yes; not drugs, but food which would tend to produce sleep. - How long have you been prescribing in that way? - A couple of months off and on. East Sunday was the last occasion. - The Jury returned a verdict that "Deceased died from a Gunshot Wound Self-inflicted, and that there was nothing in the evidence to show the state of his mind at the time." - The Coroner: Intentional or unintentional? - The Foreman: Intentional. - Then you bring in a verdict of Suicide? - Yes, sir.

STOKE DAMEREL - Soldier's Suicide At Keyham. - At Ford Military Hospital yesterday, Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest on PTE. RALPH W. RUSSELL, R. Sussex R., whose body was found on the previous day in a field on Moor's Farm, Keyham. It was stated that RUSSELL, who came from Birmingham, was received into the Military Hospital at Wearde Camp on the 2nd inst. suffering from chronic rheumatism, and on the 11th was removed to the Camel's Head Hospital. He was last seen there on Sunday, and Sister Chowen said he did not seem depressed. - Capt. Lindsey, R.A.M.C., said he examined the man as to his mental state, but could find no signs of mental disturbance. - Q.M.S. Clements stated that when RUSSELL was reported missing he had the Hospital and grounds searched, but no trace was found of him. Patients were allowed razors. - Robt. Wm. Stothart, grocer's assistant, said as he was crossing a field on Moor's farm on Monday morning he saw deceased lying against a hedge and a naval man who came up found that he was dead. Deceased had a razor in his hand. - Dr W. Thomas, who was called to the place, said the man's throat was cut practically from ear to ear. He had been dead several hours and death must have been practically instantaneous. - Verdict, "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Western Morning News, Friday 19 April 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Boy's Singular Death. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth Mortuary yesterday on STANLEY EASTON, aged 9, of Richmond-street. - George Champion said on the 16th inst., at noon, he saw the lad coming home from school and playing with a ball. A whippet dog, jumping to catch the ball, came in contact with the boy's chest, throwing him with great force to the ground. The lad, who was found to be unconscious was taken home, where he died at 3.15 p.m. - Dr Blades said death was due to fracture of the base of the skull. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Thursday 25 April 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Child Killed. Playing On The Railway. - At the Inquest at Plymouth yesterday by Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, on BERTRAM ARTHUR CROOK, Ashford-road, aged 5, who was knocked down by a L. and S.W. train near Lipson Halt on Monday evening, P.C. Blackmore said he saw five or six children amusing themselves by running across the railway lines, and shouted to them. A motor train from Laira and a L. and S.W. train bound for Friary approached each other at the halt and he yelled to deceased, who was between the rails and the platform, to escape the danger by getting under the platform, which was built up on hollow woodwork. Before he could get out of the way the train struck him. The witness added that there were always children playing on the railway at this point and they were being incessantly warned. - Dr Price said the child's skull was fractured and death was probably instantaneous. - George Herved, driver of the engine, said he did not see the children on the line, and knew nothing of the accident until the next day. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned and the Jury exonerated the driver and fireman from blame. - The deceased's father is serving with the R.E. at the front.

Western Morning News, Saturday 27 April 1918
PLYMOUTH - Suicide At Plymouth Citadel. - GNR. SIDNEY KEAR, R.G.A., aged 23, a native of Brook Holland, Gloucestershire, was found hanging to a door by a rope at the Citadel, Plymouth, yesterday morning. At the Inquest, Frederick Evans said KEAR and himself slept in the same room. At 10.30 when they went to bed, KEAR did not seem upset in any way, although a few days before he had complained of his head and of pains in the stomach. - Horace Stanley Bunce said just before 4 a.m. another gunner, named John Buggus, came and told him there was a man hanging downstairs. He said, "Have you cut him down?" and when Buggus said "No." he went immediately and did so. But the man was then quite dead. - Dr Ryan said death was due to strangulation. - As this was all the evidence the Coroner (Mr R. B. Johns) said that he thought the Jury would have to return a verdict of "Suicide" and add that there was no evidence as to the state of deceased's mind. - The Jury agreed.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 30 April 1918
PLYMOUTH - Drowned In The Cattewater. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on EDWARD JOSHUA LE BROC BARETTI, who was drowned in the Cattewater. - Paul Luce, cook of the ketch Edgar, of Jersey, said deceased was a deckhand. On Saturday they brought stores in a dinghey to their vessel, which was lying in the Cattewater. As they were lifting a bag of potatoes to the deck of the vessel the dinghey capsized and deceased and himself were thrown into the water. Witness caught hold of deceased and supported him in the water for a time, but was obliged to leave go his hold to save himself and his companion sank. Deceased was a native of Jersey. The body was afterwards recovered and Dr Palmer certified that death was due to drowning. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

STOKE DAMEREL - Apprentice's Fatal Fall. - At Devonport Dockyard yesterday Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest on GEORGE BRADLEY BELL, 16, apprentice in a transport, who fell into the hold of his ship on Saturday. Mr K. Eyton Peck, Admiralty Law Agent, attended and Mr H. Morris represented the Home Office. - Wm. J. Walters, chief officer, said BELL and another lad were employed in passing bags from one hold to another. - Cyril Houston, apprentice, said he was in No. 2 shelter deck when he heard a crash and found that BELL had fallen into the hold where he was found. There was no light on No. 1 shelter deck, where deceased was. - The Ship's Boatswain, said BELL fell about 30 ft., and was dead when witness picked him up. - Surg. A. J. MacDiarmid, R.N., said death was due to fracture of the skull. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

STOKE DAMEREL - Night Watchman's Sudden Death. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Dockyard on FRANCIS BLAKE CHAPMAN, aged 58, night watchman on board a steamer at the South Yard, who died suddenly on Sunday. - Fleet-Surg. W. Hackett, R.N., said death was due to heart failure, through pleurisy and pneumonia. Verdict accordingly.

STOKE DAMEREL - St Austell Man's Fatal Wound. - At the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest on ALONZO PAYNE, 28, engineer mechanic in H.M. Dockyard. - WALLACE PAYNE, St Austell, mechanical engineer, deceased's brother, said that in March 1911, deceased had in his possession a toy pistol and as he was with-drawing it from his pocket the trigger caught in the lining of his trousers and discharged, the bullet penetrating the intestines. Deceased was operated on at St Austell by Dr Panting of Truro. The operation proved successful and in 1914 he joined the colours. The strain of the training resulted in the deceased being discharged from the Army, but on returning to civil life he seemed all right until ten months ago, since which time he had been more or less unwell. Last Tuesday he was brought to the Royal Albert Hospital. The House Surgeon at the Hospital said deceased was operated on, on Thursday, and he expired at 11 p.m. the following day. The doctor attributed death to exhaustion and shock following an operation for intestinal obstruction, the result of a gunshot wound. - Verdict accordingly.

TAVISTOCK - Tavistock Fatal Gun Accident. Dangerous Practice Deprecated. - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest at Tavistock Hospital, yesterday, on LESLIE FRANCIS WILLIAMS, aged 16, engineer's apprentice. - Dr Hillyar said deceased had a bullet wound in the front of the abdomen. The bullet was removed the following day. Death was due to peritonitis, the result of a gunshot wound. - Terence Edward Reynolds, age 16, chauffeur, of Tavistock, said on Tuesday evening he joined deceased, with whom was Robert Carr at Wallabrook Quarry. They sawed a log of timber and finding that deceased had some rifle cartridges, they went to Carr's house, near Wallabrook, and fetched the miniature rifle. Witness examined the barrel to see that it was clean by opening it, and placed it on the ground. Deceased took the log up the field to place as a target, but before doing so he must have loaded the rifle whilst witness was not looking. Deceased called to know if he could see the target. Witness took up the gun and lay down to see if the distance was right. In presenting the rifle it went off and struck the deceased, who was about 20 yards away. Witness had shot with the rifle before. - SIDNEY FRANCIS WILLIAMS, deceased's father, said the boy did not blame Reynolds, but said the latter fired before he had left the target. The boys were very great chums and on the best of terms. - Robert Carr said he lent Reynolds the rifle. Deceased, whom he saw in the Hospital, did not attach any blame to Reynolds, but said it was a pure accident. - The Coroner said this was another of those cases in which it was manifestly a most dangerous practice to present a rifle. Reynolds' conduct was blameable, but there was the extenuating circumstance that he examined the barrel previously, satisfied himself that it was clear and he was not aware that subsequently deceased had loaded the rifle. He sincerely hoped it would be a warning to Reynolds never to present a firearm whether he knew that it was loaded or not. - The Jury found that death was due to peritonitis, the result of a gun accident. - The Coroner expressed his own and the Jury's sympathy with the parents in their loss and said they were also sorry for Reynolds as well.

Western Morning News, Monday 6 May 1918
HOVE, BRIGHTON, SUSSEX - Plymothian Crushed To Death. - At the Inquest at Hove, Brighton, on PTE. OSCAR VERNON WINTER QUANTICK, 37, Mechanical Transport, A.S.C., whose home was at Devonshire-villas, Pennycomequick, Plymouth, Pte. Stanley H. Clarkson, M.T., A.S.C., said he was riding on a lorry with QUANTICK when it turned into the railway goods yard in Sackville-road, where it stopped. QUANTICK got down and went to the rear of the lorry. A steam wagon backed and QUANTICK was caught and crushed between the tailboard of the wagon and the side of the lorry. He heard QUANTICK shout, but the wagon was then not more than three inches away from the body, and although witness called to the driver it was too late to avert an accident. The wagon started to back after their lorry had come to a standstill. - John Turner, the driver of the wagon, said he was backing to get to a coal truck. He did not see the lorry enter the yard, and when his look-out man shouted he immediately stopped. - Dr Owen said both bones of QUANTICK'S right forearm were fractured, and four ribs in the left side broken. - The Coroner suggested QUANTICK might have thought there was just time to get between the two vehicles and was a second too late. - Verdict, "Death from Misadventure." - The interment took place on Saturday at the Plymouth Cemetery. Military honours were accorded, and the funeral party being supplied by the Devon Regt. and the bearers by the A.S.C. Sergt. R. Green, and Pte. J. Booth represented the regiment of the deceased. Among the many wreaths were tributes from the officers of a Motor Transport Company, the deceased's company , the manager of the Portalades Cookery Cam-p, Mr C. Hawker, of the Cosmopolitan Gymnasium, the Ebrington-street Skating Rink and Mr and Mrs T. Sanders.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 7 May 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce at Devonport yesterday, held an Inquest on PTE. CHARLES HOWARD DYER, R.M.L.I. Pte. Irish, serving in the same ship, stated that on Friday night he heard a splash, and assisted in recovering DYER'S body from the water. Patrick Hughes, stoker, stated that DYER, while sitting on a rail on the deck, fell backward into the water. Surg. Angus Scott stated that a wound on the forehead was due to DYER falling against a boom. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

STOKE DAMEREL - At the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest on THOMAS GRIFFIN, aged 48. The widow stated that her husband was pensioned as a stoker petty officer in January 1912, but when war broke out he was called up and served in various ships. Since December he had been greatly depressed and in February was invalided from the service. On April 5 she found him in the kitchen. Mr G. C. Kusunbeker, House Surgeon, stated that on admission to the Hospital, GRIFFIN was delirious. He refused to eat at times and had to be fed artificially. On account of his violence his wound did not heal and he died on Saturday. Verdict: "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 15 May 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Torpoint Woman's Suicide. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the R.A. Hospital, Devonport, yesterday on SARAH EDA JANE MOORE, 42, wife of a cooper, R.N., of Edgcumbe-terrace, Torpoint. The husband said his wife had been depressed for some months. Last August he returned home after three years' service in the North Sea and elsewhere and had since been employed in the Victualling Yard. The time had now come for him to be drafted to sea again, and she had said she could never endure him going away again. Last Wednesday he told her that his mate was under orders for sea, and that he expected his time would soon come. She was very worried, and awoke him at 4 a.m. on Thursday, and seemed concerned. He tried to cheer her up, but he never dreamed she would take her life. His wife got up at 5 and prepared his breakfast as usual. He left home at 5.50 and she saw him off from the front door. Before they were married she had a revolver, which she kept loaded and always wished to keep it. She had been medically treated for nervous breakdown. - Alice Herbert, living in the same house, said as she did not hear MRS MOORE about on Thursday she went to her room and heard her groaning. The door of the room was locked. She called P.C. Rickard, who entered by the window. - P.C. James Rickard said on entering the room he found MRS MOORE on the bed with a revolver in her hand, which she was lifting up and down. She was clutching the revolver tightly and he had difficulty in taking it from her. The door was locked and the key-hole stuffed with a piece of towelling. Dr G. C. Kusumbeker, House Surgeon, said death was due to shock following a trephining operation and haemorrhage from a pistol wound on the right side of the head. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Morning News, Thursday 23 May 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Young Woman's Death. Inquest At Devonport: Girl Victim Of Pain. - Sad circumstances surrounding the death of FLORENCE JANE MATHIAS, domestic servant, aged 22, of Argaum-villas, Devonport, were revealed at an Inquest at Ker-street yesterday by Mr A. J. Pearce. - Her brother-in-law, FREDERICK THOMAS DUSTAN, assistant, R.N. Clothing Depot, R.N. Barracks, said deceased's home was at Pyworthy. She visited his house at Goschen-street, Devonport, on Bank-holiday and returned to Argaum-villas by car at 9 p.m., bright and cheerful, as usual. She had undergone two operations at Exeter Hospital about two years ago for a tubercular complaint in the back, but was apparently cured. At all events she made no complaints. - Eng.-Rear-Adml. Sylvester Rawling, R.N., of Argaum-villas, stated that deceased had been with him as domestic for about two years and had given absolute satisfaction. She had Monday afternoon off, was in the best of spirits, and on her return about 10 p.m. seemed quite happy, and bade him and Mrs Rawling "good night," as usual. On Tuesday morning she did not appear and on knocking at her door and getting no reply, he entered the room and found her dead. - Det.-Sergt. Sanders said he was called about 9.30 a.m., and saw the woman on her bed in her night clothes dead. In the room he found two recently-addressed envelopes, one to her mother and one, with a postcard, to Gunner Foers, R.G.A., Bull Point Barracks, and across the corner of the letter was written "immediately delivery." - On the dressing table were two bottles, one containing a white liquid, labelled "glycerine substitute," and the other a liquid (which the doctor later pronounced to be iodine). The label contained deceased's name and was marked "Not to be taken, but to pain the knee." - Dr Wagner said he made a post mortem examination, which revealed slight corrosion of the inner side of the lips and tongue and other indications in the stomach and lungs of probable poisoning, which might have been caused by iodine, though iodine was not a general poison. There was nothing to impugn her moral character. - Gunner Roy Valentine Foers, R.G.A., said he had been acquainted with deceased for about a month. No mention of marriage had passed between them, save as a joke. The relations between them were absolutely correct, and deceased was to him like a sister - she was always so kind to him, so bright, cheerful and witty. He had taken her to places of amusement once or twice, saw her on Bank-holiday, and at her suggestion arranged to meet her on her next night off. - Pathetic Letters. - The Coroner read the letters which deceased had left. One was a very affectionate letter to her mother, dated Monday, but complaining that her health was getting in a very bad state, that her back had been no end of difficulty, and she had gone through much pain, though she had never said anything about it. Her head had also been bad for weeks. She asked her mother not to upset herself, as she was quite prepared to die. She also said she had promised to be the wife of the gunner named, whom she loved with all her heart, who was the best friend she had ever had and was a gentleman in every way. The missive closed: "Good-bye for ever. Good-bye until we meet again in heaven." As a postscript she asked that her sister should have her place, for "no one ever had a better master or mistress than she had." She was heartbroken to leave them and put them in such distress, but she had never liked to say she had been ill. The letter to Gunner Foers bade him farewell, and thanked him for his kindness to her. During the short time she had known him "he had been a gentleman in every way." No one could wish to have better company. She wished him the best of good luck, a safe return and a prosperous life ever after. She added that she did not tell him what she was going to do, as she knew he would not let her do it. She was depressed and did not know what she was doing, but she was not doing it for his fault. She complained that her back was painful and she added, "I thought I should have done this long ago." - The Coroner said it was a painful and sad case, as the poor girl seemed to have been most respected. The medical evidence bore out that there was no suggestion of anything against her character. It was probable that the pains in her back made her dread a third operation. He proposed to adjourn the Inquest for the result of the analysis of the contents of the stomach. - Both the Coroner and the Jury expressed sympathy with the relatives and the deceased's employers. - Adjourned for a fortnight.

Western Morning News, Friday 24 May 1918
DARTMOUTH - Cadet's Death. Fall From The Cliff Near Dartmouth: Inquest. - LLEWELLYN WALES EDWARDS, aged nearly 16, a cadet-captain of the R.N. College, Dartmouth, on Wednesday, while climbing the cliffs at Redlap Cove between Stokefleming and Sugary Cove, hunting for sea-gulls eggs, fell and was drowned. His father was killed in action while in command of a light cruiser. - At the Inquest yesterday Rear-Adml. Ruck Keene said in every printed rule of the college, put in every gun-room, there are cautions against going to Redlap Cove, as the cliffs are very dangerous. - Wilfred James Cameron Robertson, cadet-captain, R.N. College, said he and EDWARDS on Wednesday decided to go to the cliffs at Redlap Cove. They arrived at the cove at 3.15. EDWARDS saw a nest with a bird on it, and said, "Let's get at that one." He started off towards the nest at rather a dangerous speed. Witness was unable to keep up with him and he rounded a peak out of his sight, as they worked along the cliff. Witness sang out, "I don't think I should go on if I were you; I think I am going up," and he replied, "There are three eggs in the nest." By this time witness was at the top again and those were the last words he heard EDWARDS speak. After waiting about three minutes, witness hailed his friend, but received no answer. Witness went down the path he thought his friend had taken, but was unable to find any trace of him. Climbing the hill again, he went round to Redlap gulley on the Stokefleming side and waited about the cliff for three-quarters of an hour, hailing deceased by his name from time to time, and, receiving no answer, returned to the College, where, as EDWARDS had not returned, he reported the matter. - Lt.-Com. R. D. Howard and Lt. Kenneth R. D. Fawsett gave evidence of the recovery of the body at the foot of the cliff in three feet of water. - Dr Harold Huskinson, fleet-surgeon, R.N. College, said the only serious injury EDWARDS received was a fractured nose. The injury was sufficient to cause unconsciousness, and death he attributed to drowning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 27 May 1918
EAST BUDLEIGH - Devon Cliff Fatality. Perils Of Bird-Nesting. - FREDERICK J. TURNER, aged 12 ½ years, son of ALBERT TURNER, farm labourer, of Otterton, left home about noon on Thursday, stating he was going to Ladram Bay to bathe. Later Mrs Till saw him up the cliff and warned him of the danger. Herbert Frank Hart, 11 and Ralph Smith, 12, were with him up to three o'clock, when he had collected five gulls' eggs. P.C. Phillips found the body on Friday morning at the foot of the cliff, 200 feet high. - At the Inquest on Saturday Dr Smith, of Budleigh Salterton, said the lad's neck was broken and his skull fractured. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Thursday 30 May 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - Mechanic's Head Crushed. - At the R. N. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest on ARTHUR GEORGE BUURMA, aged 38, mechanic, R.N., whose death followed injuries sustained in a destroyer. - John Sanderson, R.N.A., stated that on May 12 he assisted deceased in repairing an air pump. During the operation deceased, curious to see how witness was progressing, leant forward. As he did so witness, unaware of any danger, pulled the lever, and the man's head was crushed between two rods. He was extricated, fully conscious, and immediately sent to the R. N. Hospital. Properly speaking he should not have placed himself in the position he did. In all probability he was so preoccupied with the work that he did not stop and think. No one was to blame in the matter. - An Engineer Officer of the ship corroborated, adding that it was a pure accident. It was not necessary for deceased to have put his head in the way. - Medical evidence showed that blood poisoning set in, and developed until death occurred on 26th inst. - Verdict: "Accidental Death." Deceased was married, his home being at West Ham.

Western Morning News, Saturday 1 June 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Street Fatality. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on WINNIFRED MARY JAMES, aged 18 months, daughter of the skipper of a trawler. - MRS EMMA J. E. JAMES, of Radford-road, Plymouth, the mother, said she met a friend in Southside-street on Thursday, and stopped to pay her a small debt. She held the child by the hand on the edge of the pavement. Unconsciously she loosened her grip and the child went into the road unknown to her. - Mrs Kirwin, W.R.N.S., said a bread wagon belonging to H. Matthews and Sons, Limited, came around the corner slowly and the child walked in front of the horse. The driver did his best to stop, but the horse, alarmed at the child, jumped to avoid her, and struck her head with its foot. The mother ran across to pick her up, but seeing the terrible injuries, fainted. - Dr Travers Stubbs said death must have been instantaneous. - Verdict, "Accidental Death," the driver, Thomas Darlington, being exonerated from blame.

Western Morning News, Monday 3 June 1918
TORRINGTON - Canadian Killed In Devon. - Cpl. FREDERICK RHODES, of the Canadian Forestry Corps, aged 48, was on Friday in the camp near Torrington, trying to split a large spruce log with charges of blasting powder. A charge exploded and a piece of wood, weighing 114 lb., blew out, struck him in the head, and he was killed instantly. - Capt. Wilman, at the Inquest on Saturday, stated that RHODES cut the fuses himself and inserted them. He asked RHODES if he had ever handled black powder when the charges were in and as he answered "not very much," witness then told him to test a piece of fuse from the reel before he lit those attached to the charges. That he did. RHODES then lit the two short fuses. Seeing what he had done, he told him to run for his life, and he himself made away for safety. The first charge, however, went off, blowing out a large piece of wood which struck RHODES as he was getting away. - Verdict: "Accidental Death." - The deceased was stated to have claimed to be second cousin of Cecil Rhodes, and was shortly to have been married locally.

THROWLEIGH - Suicide At Throwleigh. - An Inquest was held at Throwleigh on Saturday on JOHN SQUIRE, 77, who farmed Croft, near Okehampton, for many years, and retired about a year ago to live with his son at Waye, Throwleigh. - Miss Edith Breyley, housekeeper for MR JOHN SQUIRE, jun., at Waye, said on Friday, about 1 p.m., she heard the report of a gun. Looking out, she saw MR SQUIRE on his back on the grass in front of the house. A gun was lying over his shoulder. She saw him about 10 minutes before in the kitchen, and he then seemed all right. The gun was kept in the kitchen. - MR JOHN SQUIRE, jun., produced the gun and a forked stick which was on the trigger. He had used the gun the night before, but took out the cartridges. His father had taken cartridges from a packet on the mantel-piece. His father had suffered from partial paralysis for years and had had a heart attack. He feared another stroke. He had never threatened to take his life and was looking forward to seeing his other son. - Dr Hunt, of Chagford, said he had attended MR SQUIRE for many years. He was always somewhat depressed about his health. - Verdict: "Suicide while in an Unsound State of Mind."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 4 June 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - Pensioner's Fatal Fall. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on CHARLES J. POLLINGTON, 53, A.B. pensioner, H.M.S. Indus. - Lt.-Com. P. D. Campbell, H.M.S. Indus, said on May 27 a cutter was being hoisted with the boat's falls. POLLINGTON stood on netting quite wide enough to hold him without his holding the fall. As he held it the fall jerked, and POLLINGTON was thrown to the deck, and the rope parted in the block. As they were only about to raise the cutter sufficiently out of the water to scrub the bottom and no one was in the boat, the rope was considered capable. - Death resulted on May 30 from concussion of the brain. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 5 June 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Suicide. - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday by Mr Johns, Coroner, on ALBERT BRADFORD TURPIN, aged 45, of Commercial-street, Coxside, contractor, whose body was found suspended by a rope from a beam in an outhouse at the works of Turpin and Sons (Ltd.). Evidence was given that deceased had been worried about having been called up for the Army. - Verdict: "Suicide while Temporarily Insane."

Western Morning News, Thursday 6 June 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Domestic's Suicide. - Mr J. A. Pearce yesterday concluded the Inquest on FLORENCE JANE MATHIAS, domestic servant, found dead in her bedroom at Argaum-villas, Devonport on May 21. The Inquiry had been adjourned for the contents of her stomach to be analysed, and Thos. Tickle, Plymouth Borough Analyst, said the stomach contents contained 187 grains of salts of lemon, quite sufficient to cause death. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide" but there was not sufficient evidence to show the state of deceased's mind.

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest yesterday at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth relative to the death of WILLIAM SCOBIE, Dockyard fitter, 37 years of age, living in Alexandra-road. The widow stated that she found him unconscious in his bedroom on Monday. In the room were three empty bottles of chlorodyne. Her husband had been under medical treatment for three years. He had been in Africa and suffered from the effects of malarial fever, and was very depressed. Dr Simpson stated that the three bottles had contained 4 oz. of chlorodyne with about eleven parts of morphia. - Verdict: "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital yesterday on FRANCIS DAVIS, aged 46, quarryman, employed by the Hemerdon Mines (Ltd.) On Monday he was, with William Hawken, another quarryman, loading a truck in a cutting, 10 ft. deep, when a slide occurred. Hawken escaped. DAVIS was buried under a mass of earth and was admitted to the Hospital suffering from a compound fracture of the right leg and a fracture of the pelvis. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 10 June 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Death In A Garret. - Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest on Saturday on CHARLES STEELE, pensioned gunner, R.G.A., who was found dead in bed in his room, at 38 George-street, Devonport, on Friday. - F. Palmer, P.O., R.N., said deceased was a widower, and lived in a garret at the top of the house, which he owned. He complained of pains in his side on Wednesday and witness gave him some liniment. He was not seen on Thursday and the next day was found dead. - Dr T. McElwaine said death was due to syncope, through pleurisy. Deceased was in a dirty and neglected condition and there was no food fit for human consumption in the apartment. - Verdict: "Death from Natural Causes."

EXETER - An Inquest was held at Exeter on Saturday on JAMES USHER WINKFIELD, of the Globe Hotel, Chagford, who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital while under an anaesthetic. He had a fatty heart. Dr Andrew said he had been administering anaesthetics for 28 years and had not previously had a fatal case.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest at Stonehouse on Saturday on EMILY VIOLET MITCHELL, age eight, daughter of a seaman, R.N., of 77 High-street, who died after falling downstairs on Thursday. The Inquiry was adjourned until today for the attendance of the doctor.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 11 June 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Window Cleaning Perils. Woman Killed At Devonport. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, on KATE M. HEIMERS, 28, window-cleaner, employed by Plymouth Co-operative Society and the wife of a mail driver. Mr F.W. Murray (for Mr P.T. Pearce) watched the proceedings for the Society. - Violet M. Hocking said they were cleaning windows at Keyham Barton. She climbed the ladder and walked round the bay of 73 Barton-avenue, to clean the drawing-room windows of No. 71. HEIMERS followed her, and just after witness had reached No. 781 she heard a scream. On turning she saw HEIMERS on the ground. To reach the window she had to stand upon a small moulding, which was slippery with the rain. - The Coroner: You should refuse to do dangerous work. - Witness: Perhaps so, but we go out to clean windows and do our best. - The Coroner: You are brave girls and do perhaps more than you should. - Mrs Bartlett, manageress, said if she was told to give the girls work she considered dangerous she applied for somebody else. - The Coroner: Young women should not have to clean windows dangerous of approach. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

EAST STONEHOUSE - EMILY VIOLET MITCHELL, High-street, Stonehouse, aged 8, died from injuries to the head received by falling over the stairs at her home. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest yesterday.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 12 June 1918
DARTMOUTH - At the Inquest at Dartmouth yesterday on MARY A. COLE, whose death was caused by a fall downstairs, the large number of dangerous staircases in old houses in the borough was remarked upon.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Dockyard Labourer's Fall. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Plymouth, on Monday, on GEORGE J. HANNAFORD, 59, skilled labourer, who while painting a vessel in dry dock in the Dockyard fell from the staging on which he was standing. No one witnessed the accident, but deceased himself had stated that he overbalanced and the suggestion was offered that this might have been on account of his feeling tired towards the close of his day's work, the accident occurring about 7 p.m. Fleet-Surg. E.C. Sawdye, R.N., stated that deceased expired quite suddenly while sitting up in bed. There were injuries to the throat and in the act of vomiting deceased was suffocated. - The Jury, being satisfied that the condition of the staging was in no way responsible for the accident, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 19 June 1918
PLYMOUTH - Cornish Road Fatality. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on WILLIAM HENRY TRATHAN, coal merchant, of Clitters, near Callington. - Miss Emma Giles, housekeeper to MR TRETHAN, stated that on June 7 he went out and was shortly afterwards brought back. He told her he was walking on the grass when a traction engine overtook him and struck him on the leg. The driver assisted him into the house. - In reply to Mr F. W. Murray (for Mr Percy Pearce), for the traction engine owner, she stated she did not hear TRATHAN tell the driver it was not his fault, but the owner would have to pay. He told the driver he ought to have been more careful. She saw the marks of the traction engine on the grass plot by the side of the road. - Leonard Cradick, the driver of the engine, said he saw TRATHAN about 25 yards off. The engine was travelling at two or four miles an hour in the middle of the road. Just as they got abreast of him, TRATHAN staggered across the road, and the front wheel struck him in the back. He seemed to twist right round and got his left foot under the wheel. The engine did not swerve or go over the grass plot. - Dr C. S. Redmond, House Physician, stated that TRATHAN'S foot had been crushed. Two days after admission to the Hospital gangrene set in, necessitating an operation, which he bore fairly well, but he died on Monday. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated the driver from blame.

YEALMPTON - "Found Drowned" was the verdict returned at the Inquest at Bowden Farm, Yealmpton, yesterday, before Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, on SAMUEL RICHARD TRIGGS, 25, agricultural labourer, whose body was found the previous day at Mudbank. TRIGGS was an epileptic and in the opinion of Dr E. H. B. Fox he was a dangerous lunatic during attacks of epilepsy. He spent Sunday evening with his sweetheart, Miss Annie Sargent, was cheerful and left her at Brixton at 10.50 p.m. to walk home. There had been nothing in the nature of a quarrel between deceased and Miss Sargent and they had arranged to marry at the end of August. - The Jury expressed sympathy with the widowed mother and fiancee.

Western Morning News, Friday 21 June 1918
OKEHAMPTON - Okehampton Farmer Killed. - At Moorgate Farm, Okehampton, last evening, Mr H. C. Brown held an Inquest on WILLIAM COOMBE HODGE, 68, occupier of the farm. Yesterday morning sheep-shearing was in progress, an oil-engine being used for driving the shearing machine. MR HODGE'S coat caught in the axle of the fly-wheel of the engine and he received such injuries to the head that he died immediately. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - Fatal Fall. - Mr R. B. Johns, of Plymouth, yesterday held an Inquest on WILLIAM RICHARD MOON, labourer, 71, who was in the employ of Burnard and Alger, manure merchants, Coxside. - Albert Scober said on Tuesday, MOON, with a sample of fertilizers, was walking on a plank 6 ft. wide. Witness was coming in the opposite direction and stopped for MOON to pass. MOON stepped to the left, and fell over, a distance of 16 ft., on to the concrete. Dr Derry said death was due to a fractured skull. - Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Friday 28 June 1918
KINGSBRIDGE - Auctioneer's Suicide. Inquest At Kingsbridge. - MR CHARLES HEAD, auctioneer, Kingsbridge, was found dead in the American Gardens, Combe Royal, about half a mile from the town, on Wednesday evening. At the Inquest yesterday it was stated that he had for some time been subject to hallucinations, and that he suffered from agonies of pain in his chest. On Wednesday morning he visited his office for a few minutes in company with his daughter, but left before she was ready to return home, and he was not seen again alive. - Dr L. Hurston said he had attended MR HEAD for several months, but could find nothing amiss with him, and he had advised he should go into a home for a time. A post-mortem examination showed that the whole of his organs were healthy. - P.C. Berry, who discovered the body, said he found a paper in deceased's coat pockets, on which he had written: "I can't bear the pain any longer. My back, chest, is unbearable. Examine these." He had strangled himself with a leather buckle strap and had been dead some hours. - Verdict: "Suicide while Temporarily Insane." - MR HEAD, 56 years of age, leaves a widow, two sons and two daughters. His second son, a partner in the business, is serving in the Army in India. MR HEAD was for several years a member of the Urban Council, and at the time of his death was a member of the Board of Guardians. He was a local preacher in the Wesleyan Church and had been president of the Free Church Council.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 9 July 1918
TAMERTON FOLIOT - Suicide At Tamerton. - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Tamerton yesterday on PTE. LEONARD PARKEN, aged 21. - P.C. Clinnick said on Saturday a brother of PARKEN took him to a field at Tamerton, where the man was on the flat of his back, a double-barrelled gun between his legs and a piece of string attached to the trigger wound round his hand. - The man was bleeding from eyes and mouth. - The brother said deceased was strange all day on Saturday, having a slight touch of influenza. A near relative some time ago committed suicide whilst temporarily insane. - Verdict, "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on ARTHUR PRUCE, brewer's drayman, found dead in a lodging-house, Octagon-street. Mrs Windsor, lodging-house keeper, said he had for a long time complained of shortness of breath. Dr Waterfield found death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart.

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on FRANCIS H. LEGASSICK, 45, clothier's assistant, Clara Buildings. Mrs Chappell said LEGASSICK complained of illness on Sunday and while she was out of the room a short time he died. Dr Deery found that death was due to valvular disease of the heart.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 10 July 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - C.P.O.'s Sudden Death. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Devonport Dockyard yesterday, on JOHN WILLIAM PEDDIE, C.I.O., R.N., who died suddenly on board a vessel on Monday. - Wm. E. Dunkley, A.B., said deceased was in charge of the watch aboard, when he suddenly collapsed on the upper deck. Shortly before witness had been in conversation with deceased, who then appeared to be in his usual health. A doctor, who was summoned, pronounced life extinct. - Surg. Angus McAlpine, R.N., attributed death to syncope through heart failure brought about by chronic disease of the liver and gall-stones. - Verdict, "Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Thursday 11 July 1918
ILFRACOMBE - MR HENRY F. CLARK, aged 70, from Maidenhead and a retired auditor of the Great Western Railway, died suddenly in a shelter on Hillsborough-hill, Ilfracombe. At the Inquest yesterday, Dr Toller, who had made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to syncope, MR CLARK having probably hurried to take shelter during a shower of rain. - Verdict - "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 17 July 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - Cliff Fatality. Alleged Callous Conduct At Jennycliffe Bay. - At the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday, Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on First Class Air Mechanic WILLIAM JOHN MCKIVETT, 36, R.A.F., whose body was found in Jennycliffe Bay on Sunday night. Mr K. Eyton Peck represented the Royal Air Force. - First Class Air Mechanic John E. Sproat said he was with Air Mechanic Wilkinson and deceased at Jennycliffe Bay on Sunday evening. They descended to the rocks and then found that they were cut off by the tide. Witness tried to climb the cliffs, and finding it very difficult, he told his companions to try another place. They went in different directions, anticipating that they would meet on the top of the cliffs. Witness did not, however, meet his companions. Later he saw Wilkinson, who had not seen MCKIVETT. They made a search and took a boat along the coast, but did not find deceased, whose body was afterwards found by another search party. Deceased was strong and active. - Air Mechanic Isaac Wilkinson also gave evidence. - Edward J. Jones, of the Hospital Ship Maud, moored in Jennycliffe Bay, said hearing cries just before dark he searched the cliffs with his glasses and saw a man in difficulties half way up the cliff. He got a boat and pulled to the beach and by that time saw that the man, whom he identified as deceased, was perched upon a rock about 26 ft. above the beach. He shouted to deceased, who, in reply, said he was not hurt, but could neither climb up nor descend, and was afraid to remain where he was all night. Witness then went towards the camp at Batten, and asked an officer to assist him, but he could not induce him to do so. Next witness returned to the Maud and obtained a rope and a man to mind the boat. Ascending to the top of the cliff, witness tied the rope to a tree and threw the other end down towards deceased, who caught it and fell just afterwards. On drawing up the rope witness found that deceased had tied a knot, but it had slipped. Deceased was only about 10 ft. from the top of the cliff when he fell. Witness hurried down the cliff and found deceased wedged between two huge boulders and badly injured. As he could not extricate MCKIVETT and the tide was flowing, witness crossed over to a small cargo steamer in his boat and asked the captain for a man to help him. He explained that he wanted assistance to save a man's life, but the captain refused to allow a man to go ashore. Subsequently he got help and deceased was removed to camp in an unconscious condition. - Tempy. Surg. J. Duffin, R.N., attached R.A.F., said he saw deceased at 11 p.m., and found him badly injured about the face and body. He died 75 minutes later through a fractured skull. - The Coroner spoke of the peril of deceased's position and said he had no doubt he became nervous and cramped. They were all much moved by the kind and considerate way in which Jones had tried to rescue deceased. His conduct was to be highly commended, and it was most unfortunate that his efforts were not more successful. He could hardly believe that the skipper of the cargo vessel had orders to prevent him complying with Jones' request. If official orders went to that extent, the sooner they were modified the better. In his opinion, it was a dastardly act on the part of the skipper to refuse to lend a hand, and deceased might have been still living if help had been obtained earlier. They strongly condemned the skipper's action, and if there was any authority having control over him they should take steps to use it against him to the full. - Mr Peck asked if there was a Humane Society's rope in the bay, but witnesses did not know and Mr Peck remarked that one should be kept there. - The Jury, in returning a verdict of "Accidental Death," concurred with the Coroner's remarks.

Western Morning News, Thursday 25 July 1918
PLYMOUTH - Contractor's Suicide. Statements At Plymouth Inquest. - An Inquest was held yesterday on PHILIP HENRY TURPIN, 73, of W. Turpin and Sons, Ltd., contractors, Commercial-street, Plymouth. - Sgt. F. TURPIN, A.S.C., son of deceased, said that early on Tuesday he heard deceased dress and go downstairs. Later witness was called by Driver Yeo, and found his father in a kneeling position in the stable. He said, "I am done, and want to die. I have drunk the stuff we dress the horses with." He died about an hour later. He had been rather depressed for some time owing to the death of another son and business worries. - Dr Wilkinson said death was due to corrosive poison. A fortnight previously deceased told him he was worried, and was ruined. He was then very excited. On Tuesday he also said, "Don't save me. I want to die." - Mr Collings, the manager, who was present, was asked by the Deputy Coroner, Mr J. Graves, whether he wished to ask any questions and he replied that everything which had been done had been done by deceased's own solicitor, and was perfectly in order as far as he knew. - Sergt. TURPIN was recalled and asked by Mr Collings if he understood that everything was done by his father after taking the advice of his solicitors. - Witness replied that he knew absolutely nothing about it himself, but understood that there was a solicitor there. - The Deputy Coroner said it was not necessary for them to go into those matters. It was quite evident from the doctor's evidence that some time before deceased was in a peculiar state of mind and the son said he had to watch him, so anything he said at the time could not be taken too seriously. - Verdict: "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane," the Jury expressing sympathy with the family.

Western Morning News, Friday 26 July 1918
EXETER - Devonport Soldier's Death. - An Inquest was held at Exeter yesterday on Pte. WALTER J. REED, Labour Battn., attached A.S.O., stationed at Heathfield, and a native of Devonport, who died at an Exeter Hospital from injuries received through falling from a straw rick at Heathfield, on which he was assisting to place a cover. To a verdict of "Accidental Death," the Jury added a rider that there should be more supervision and definite instructions given to the men engaged on work of that kind.

Western Morning News, Saturday 27 July 1918
CHIVELSTONE - Bathing Is Dangerous At Moor Sands. - The bodies of CAPT. F. H. T. GRAY and MR MALCOLM MACASKILL, journalists, were recovered from the sea at Moor Sands, Prawle Point, near Salcombe, on Wednesday morning. Mr S. Hacker, Coroner, held an Inquest at West Prawle yesterday. - MRS MACASKILL identified the bodies as that of her husband, aged 40, and of FRANCIS H. T. GRAY, aged 38. The latter had no relations in England, his wife being engaged in Red Cross Hospital work in Salonika, whilst he had a sister in France. Both relatives had been communicated with. Witness's husband held a commission in the R.N.V.R., and was at the disposal of the Admiralty. MR GRAY in civil life was a journalist on the Paris staff of "The Daily Telegraph," but since 1915 he had held a commission in the Army, having lately been promoted to captain in the A.S.C., attached to the Intelligence Department, London. Her husband and CAPT. GRAY were intimate friends and they had been at Prawle about a week. Her husband frequently came down to Prawle on flying visits and he and the children regularly bathed at Moor Sands, although she thought her husband had been warned it was a risky place to bathe from. It was about two o'clock on Sunday when KATHLEEN rushed home saying "Daddy and MR GRAY are in the water, and I am afraid they cannot get out." - Witness sent messengers to the fishermen, and rushed off to the sands herself. She met Mr Smith and five soldiers, who had been bathing in the cove after the accident, and they said they had not seen anything. Her husband's and MR GRAY'S clothing, with the lunch baskets, were on the beach. Her husband was a staunch swimmer and she thought MR GRAY was a good swimmer. Both her son and daughter were good swimmers. Witness thought a notice board should be placed at Moor Sands stating clearly that the place was dangerous for bathing for the advantage of strangers, as soldiers regularly went there to bathe. - "My daddy," said HECTOR MACASKILL, age 11 years, "swam out to a rock, where we usually went when he wanted to dive, but it was too rough for KATHLEEN and me that day. We had all been in the water and were sitting on the beach when daddy decided to swim out to the rock." Witness saw his father returning, when a wave seemed to knock him over and then witness wondered if he was all right, as he did not look to be moving. He called MR GRAY'S attention to it, but he thought it was all right. They then heard his father call for help and MR GRAY at once went out to him, and he did not appear to be far from the shore. MR GRAY got hold "of daddy and nearly brought him ashore. I went out as far as my breast and I could almost touch his hand, but there was a strong undercurrent, which nearly took me off my feet, and I could not go any further." MR GRAY appeared to be gasping for breath, and KATHLEEN got a piece of wood and threw to them, but neither seemed to notice it. Witness went on to a rock and saw his father drifting by, but MR GRAY was then a long way out. He had heard people say it was a dangerous place for bathing. - George Stone, East Portlemouth, said on Wednesday he found one body lying on the beach and the other in a foot of water close to the shore. - Mr Rundle, fisherman, East Prawle, said Moor Sands was dangerous for bathing, especially when the wind was blowing from south'ard to the west'ard, as it had been doing for the past fortnight. It caused a very strong under-current, which deceived bathers who were not accustomed to the place. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned." They also passed a rider requesting the Rural District Council to place warning notice boards at Moor Sands and at Maseland Sands, which was equally dangerous for bathers.

Western Morning News, Monday 29 July 1918
PLYMOUTH - Cocaine Poisoning. Instructor Takes Overdose At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, at Plymouth, on Saturday, held an Inquest on ALEC WATSON CALDERHEAD, aged 27, Marconi wireless instructor at the Plymouth Technical Schools, who died the previous day. - Herbert Thompson, Marconi wireless student, stated that deceased, a native of Glasgow, lived in lodgings. On the previous morning, just after school, he went to deceased's room at his lodgings, and found the door locked. He asked him to open it. Deceased replied that he was stiff and could not, and witness, bursting open the door, found CALDERHEAD lying on the bed. Finding he was ill, he sent for a doctor. Witness added that deceased had no financial difficulty or worry, but had complained of suffering from sleeplessness, and witness was under the impression he had taken cocaine and he died two hours later. - Dr Wilmost said he administered stimulants and the man lived until 10.30. Subsequently witness found there was valvular disease of the heart, but not sufficient to cause death. All the other organs were healthy. The cause of death was cocaine poisoning. In the bed there was a bottle of cocaine and a small syringe fell out of the pocket of deceased's sleeping jacket. All over his legs and arms there were scars of punctured wounds caused by a hyper-metrical needle. He had been injecting cocaine for some time. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Death from an Overdose of Cocaine poisoning self-administered."

Western Morning News, Monday 5 August 1918
LYDFORD - Devil's Bridge Peril. - Mr H. C. Brown, Coroner, held an Inquest at Princetown, on Friday, on WILFRED TUCKER, aged 15, errand boy, in the employ of the Maypole Dairy, Plymouth, who was killed by a bicycle accident at Devil's Bridge. The accident was caused by the lad's bicycle being overturned by a stone or depression in the road. The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and called the attention of the local District Council to the bad state of the road at Devil's Bridge, and asked the Coroner to strongly protest to the Parish Council against the utterly inadequate accommodation and lack of all decent requirements in the mortuary in the village. - Our correspondent writes that the so-called mortuary is a miserable hut, to which Dr Brodrick strongly remarked on some time ago. It has no water supply or table, and should a post-mortem examination be necessary there, as on one occasion, the doctor has to perform it with the door wide open. It is beyond hope to expect the road at Devil's Bridge to be made safer, yet a more dangerous place of road scarcely exists on the moors.

Western Morning News, Thursday 8 August 1918
DARTMOUTH - Blackawton Fatality. - The Inquest on JOHN PHILIP ELFORD, aged 11, who was fatally wounded in a shooting accident at Blackawton on Monday, was held at Dartmouth yesterday. - MR G. J. ELFORD, butcher, Dartmouth, said he had been visiting Mr and Mrs Harvey with his family, and was ready with the trap for the drive home when he heard a shot and found that his son JACK was shot in the head. - Clarence Harvey (16) said he was rabbiting with JACK and DOROTHY ELFORD (14). They were walking along the road by Oldstone Lodge, JACK being slightly to the rear and on the left side. He was carrying his gun over the left arm. A remark was made about some dirt on the gun. He shook the gun and it went off. - Dr Soper said death was instantaneous. - Verdict: "Accidental Death," and the Coroner (Mr A. M. Davson) expressed his sympathy with the family.

Western Morning News, Saturday 10 August 1918
PLYMOUTH - Tinside Fatality. Jury Commends Lieutenant And Two Ladies. - At Plymouth yesterday Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest on GUNNER SYDNEY REYNOLDS, R.G.A., drowned whilst bathing at Tinside, Plymouth Hoe. - Lt. Hy. Cecil Allen, R.G.A., said REYNOLDS, aged 26, was one of a party of about 100 men who participated in the bathing parade at 6.45 a.m. REYNOLDS walked along the concrete breakwater, from which he dived and swam to the raft. He appeared to be a strong swimmer and swam to the raft, on which he stayed two minutes. He then dived and started to swim back in company with another man. When near the breakwater REYNOLDS shouted out; his companion endeavoured to assist him, but was pulled under. Witness with others ran along the breakwater. As soon as he knew deceased had sunk witness jumped into the water, fully dressed in the hope of catching him as he rose to the surface. This did not occur, however, and witness then endeavoured to dive, but owing to having on his clothes could not do so effectively. Witness was in the water about ten minutes endeavouring to find deceased, and was then compelled to get ashore. - In answer to the Coroner, witness said the tide was flowing. Deceased appeared to be one of the best swimmers in the party. - Miss Ada L. Hughes said she was preparing to bathe at the ladies' bathing place when she heard a soldier was in difficulties. She and Miss Crocker, the instructress, therefore ran to the men's bathing place and entered the water to render assistance. Witness surfaced dived about 10 feet and swam along the bottom and recovered the body, on which artificial respiration was tried for about three-quarters of an hour. - Dr W. C. Hamilton, who arrived on the scene whilst artificial respiration was being tried, added that there were no arrangements at the bathing-place for assisting a man in such a contingency - no boat, no blankets, no means of obtaining hot water or hot bricks. He never saw anything more inadequate. - Mr E. Foster, who attended on behalf of the Town Clerk, said any recommendations that might be made would be conveyed to the proper quarter. - Dr Hamilton: Every second is of importance in such a case. - The Coroner pointed out that if blankets and hot water were to be kept at one bathing place they would have to be provided at every one. - Dr Hamilton: I never saw anything more inadequate. - The Coroner: I do not see the point so far as we are concerned here. A hundred men go down to bathe together and deceased apparently was a strong swimmer, otherwise he would not have attempted to swim off to the raft. The provision of a boat is much more necessary where one of two only are swimming, or where there are boys in the water. - An Officer: There is a picket held off to watch and warn the men. - Mr Foster: I would suggest that the military provide the articles Dr Hamilton suggests. - In reply to the Coroner, an officer from the Citadel said men were not specially examined before being permitted to bathe. If a man reported sick he would not be allowed to go into the water. - There was nothing wrong with this man so far as you know? - Nothing whatever. - The Coroner, summing up, said Lt. Allen and the ladies behaved very pluckily. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and commended Lt. Allen, Miss Hughes and Miss Crocker for their plucky efforts.

Western Morning News, Monday 12 August 1918
TOTNES - An Inquest was held at a Devon seaport on Saturday on the bodies of MUSSELEH YAHIS, 25, and ABDULLEH MABROOK, 30, donkeyman and fireman respectively of a ship. The captain said a torpedo struck the ship close to the engine-room. ~Deceased were in the stokehold. The Coroner said they felt a debt of gratitude to sailors in these days. The country had been saved by the Navy and mercantile marine.

ILFRACOMBE - MISS J. M. LE QUESNE'S Death. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest at Tyrrell Cottage Hospital, Ilfracombe, on MISS JESSIE MARY LE QUESNE, aged 60, of Southcliffee, Lee, near Ilfracombe, a member of a well-known Ilfracombe family. - MISS ALICE LE QUESNE, sister, said deceased had suffered from epilepsy for twenty years. She had a fit on Wednesday morning at breakfast, but seemed perfectly well afterwards. Later in the morning she went out. A young lady friend ran into the house about noon and informed witness that deceased had fallen into a stream at the bottom of the garden. Witness hurried to the spot and found her sister lying in about 18 inches of water on her back. Witness pulled her out and she was then apparently dead. - Dr A. E. Osborne said he found no evidence of drowning. He had attended the deceased for about 15 years. She had frequent bad fits. The cause of death was an epileptic fit.

Western Morning News, Thursday 15 August 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Street Dangers. - An Inquest was held at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on LEONARD WESTCOTT, aged three, of Exeter-street. - His mother said she was ill, and sent him out with a sister for some medicine. - P.C. Strike said about midday on Tuesday he saw a large motor lorry at the top of Salem-street, in charge of Motor Driver H. E. D. Prowse, R.A.F. The lorry was going very slowly, and he saw the driver get off and warn two children, one of whom was the deceased, to get out of the way, as he was going to reverse. The driver then got on the lorry again, but the two children, instead of getting out of the way, caught hold of the motor lorry behind. As the motor lorry backed the little boy was knocked down and one wheel went over his arm. He was taken to the Hospital. - Dr Woo, House Surgeon, said the left arm of the child was almost severed from the body, and the left thigh and leg were dreadfully lacerated. They did what was possible to save the child, but he died from shock. - The Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, said he had before warned parents against allowing their little children to go alone in the streets, but in this case it seemed unavoidable. He was surprised there were not more accidents, as children would run behind and catch hold of anything. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated the driver from blame. - The Coroner expressed sympathy with the father, a petty officer, R.N., on the sad occurrence.

PLYMPTON - Plympton Postman's Suicide. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plympton yesterday on SAMUEL JORDAN, aged 56, rural postman, who committed suicide, by throwing himself under a train. - Driver Estcott, G.W.R., said on Monday he drove the 2.25 express from Newton Abbot. When approaching the distant signal at Plympton he saw a man rush out from the bank and place his head on the rails. It was impossible to stop the train in time to avert the tragedy. - P.S. Northey, giving evidence of finding the body, said JORDAN must have broken through the fence to get to the line, as there was no level crossing at that spot. - Dr Stamp said he had attended the man for four or five months for influenza. JORDAN must have been temporarily insane. - Verdict accordingly, and the Jury expressed sympathy with the relatives.

Western Morning News, Monday 19 August 1918
PLYMOUTH - Tragic Death At Plymouth. - An Inquest was held at the Homeopathic Hospital, Plymouth, on Saturday, on OLIVE BLANCHE NORTHCOTT, wife of an able seaman, of Stillman-street. - Sidney Barker said he saw deceased run out of her house on Friday in flames. He rushed to her assistance and wrapped a blanket around the burning clothes. She was taken to the Hospital and attended to by Dr Wilmot. - Death was due to shock. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held on ELLEN LOUISA LEONARD, aged 50, who was found dead in her room on Friday. - Blanche Ball, Chapel-place, Plymouth, said deceased lived in the same house. At 5.30 on Friday evening she found deceased's door was locked. On breaking into the room deceased was found lying on the floor with a gas tube in her mouth. - Dr Blades said death was due to gas poisoning. - Verdict, "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

ALPHINGTON - At an Inquest on Saturday on THOMAS ELLIOTT, old-age pensioner, Burt's Cottage, Alphington, whose body was found in Alphington Brook, it was stated that ELLIOTT, who was crippled, collected watercress and birdseed, and if he fell he could not rise without help. A boy saw the man in the water and gave the alarm. ~Verdict: "Accidentally Drowned."

Western Morning News, Friday 23 August 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Death under Anaesthetic. - At an Inquest held by Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, at the Military Families' Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, on LILY MARY FINCH, aged 39, wife of a Canadian soldier, the Jury found that death was due to syncope, through failure of the heart's action, when under the influence of an anaesthetic. - FLORENCE WEDGE, deceased's daughter, said until her mother was taken ill on Bank-holiday she had been employed in the Dockyard. - Dr G. A. Rae, in charge of the Hospital, said deceased was undergoing an operation for appendicitis. He administered chloroform, and then finding her circulation was not free, ether was substituted as being a lighter anaesthetic. Dr Vellacott had nearly completed the operation when the patient became embarrassed in her respiration. Every possible means was adopted to stimulate the heart, but without success. Deceased was under the anaesthetics for 50 minutes. The husband and daughter expressed satisfaction with the treatment deceased received.

Western Morning News, Saturday 24 August 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Tragedy. - An Inquest was held at Plymouth Mortuary yesterday before Mr J. J. Graves, Deputy Coroner on a woman, aged about 50, whose body was recovered from the River Plym, a verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned. - Cecil Henry Lakey, labourer, Arnold's Point, said he was on the Embankment about 8 a.m., near the public bathing-place, when he saw a body floating ten yards from the shore. He pulled it ashore by means of a rope and sent for the Police. - Dr R. H. Wagner said death was due to drowning. The immersion had not been longer than twenty-four hours. - On Inquiry last night our representative was informed that the body has been identified as that of MRS GEORGE, of 151 Embankment-road, Plymouth, who had been missing since August 20.

PLYMOUTH - An Inquest was held by Mr J. J. Graves, Deputy Coroner, at Plymouth Mortuary, on DOROTHY HILDA BECK, aged three, child of HILDA BECK, Exeter-street. - MRS BECK, mother, said on Thursday, between 6 and 7 p.m., the child ran out of the house by the back door. A few minutes afterwards some children told her she was in the water. Witness ran to the spot, near Harbour-avenue, but she could not see the child. - Reginald Babb, Lower-street, said he was told a child had fallen into the Horsewash. When he arrived the child was under a quantity of floating seaweed. Life was extinct. - Sgt. Beer conveyed the body to the Mortuary, having tried artificial respiration for half an hour. - # ~Dr Deery said death was due to drowning. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and commended the action of Reginald Babb and Sgt. Beer in endeavouring to save the child's life.

Western Morning News, Monday 26 August 1918
EXETER - At the Inquest at Exeter on Saturday on REGINALD KENDALL, aged 13, of Abingdon-road, Plymouth, son of an assistant transport officer, who whilst on holiday at Exeter with a relative was drowned through falling out of a boat on the River Exe, a verdict of "Accidental Drowning" was returned. At the request of the Jury, the Coroner, Mr W. Linford Brown, warned the boat proprietors, who lent the lad and another boy an outrigger, that serious consequences might follow if he again hired out such boats to boys and accidents followed.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 3 September 1918
YELVERTON - Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest at Yelverton yesterday on REV. A. ROBERTS, a retired Wesleyan minister, who died suddenly at the age of 76 years. Dr Geo. Bailey, who had held a post-mortem examination, said death was due to disease of the heart and of both lungs.

Western Morning News, Monday 16 September 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Drowned In The Hamoaze. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at Devonport Dockyard on Saturday on ANDREW G. RICHMOND, aged 19, of Mauchline, Ayrshire, a seaman in a British warship. - James Campbell, another seaman, said on Sept. 4 the ship's skiff was being lowered into the water in the Hamoaze that he and RICHMOND should assist in tying up to a buoy. The ship was going about 10 knots an hour. When the skiff was lowered the tackle unrove, and was hanging over its bow. He kept the skiff off the ship's side, and it went clear of the ship's stern, but the tackle got caught in the screws and the skiff was towed along. It listed heavily, and he and RICHMOND were thrown out. He was picked up by a drifter. The tackle generally fell into the water, and would be drawn on board, but he forgot all about the tackle as he had enough to do in keeping the boat away from the ship's side. - P.C. W. Harding deposed to finding RICHMOND'S boy in the Hamoaze on Sept. 13. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 17 September 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Torpedoed Liner. Inquest At Plymouth On Six Victims. Tribute To Naval Men. - The Galway Castle outrage was the subject of an Inquest held at the Guildhall, Devonport, yesterday, on six of the victims whose bodies were disembarked at Devonport last Friday. Mr K. Eyton Peck represented the Union-Castle Company. The bodies viewed by the Jury were those of ARTHUR DE MUSCHAMP VICKERS, 48, discharged lieut., S. African R., of Johannesburg; VIOLET HUDGSTON, 43, married, 76 Claxton-street, E. London, lately staying at 43 Rugby-terrace, Broughton Ferry; MAY PENELOPE JACKSON, 37, wife of MR JACKSON, Forest Department, Nairobi, lately staying at Glinton Manor, Berks; PHYLLIS MURRAY, age five, second daughter of WINIFRED MURRAY, 52 Railway-cottages, Germiston, Natal, lately staying at 72a. Main-street, Rutherglen, Glasgow; and two unidentified children. - Phil Joosten, traveller, of Cape Town, serving in the South African Scottish, said ARTHUR DE MUSCHAMP VICKERS was formerly a lieut. in the S. African R. He was recently discharged. He was 48 years of age, and his home was in Johannesburg, where he was engaged in his parents' restaurant business. Witness last saw deceased alive on the top deck of the Galway Castle on Wednesday morning, when boat drill was taking place. - Accident To A Boat. - Chas. Merion Roberts, chief officer of the Galway Castle, said passengers were embarked on Monday evening, the total number of passengers and crew being 956. At 7.40 a.m. on Thursday the ship was struck by a torpedo. It was evident the passengers would have to take to the boats, as the ship threatened to break in two. The sea was rough and the ship was unmanageable, the engines being stopped. She was lying across the sea, and her position caused her to roll considerably. They put as many people in the boats as they thought advisable. The boats were lowered and the men were told to get into them to fill them up. There must have been a few people who jumped overboard with their belts on, whilst others took to rafts. Witness did not remember seeing many people in the water. He saw an accident happen to No. 3. A boat and about six people were thrown into the water. The six people - they were men - got back into the boat, although at the time she was waterlogged. The boat finally broke up. He knew of one man - the chief engineer - who was taken off her. Witness stopped on board, and saw the last boats away, and remained until 1 p.m. G.M.T., when a destroyer came alongside and took the remaining people, including the captain and himself off the ship. About 50 were transferred to the destroyer. - Died In A Boat. - Mrs Hannah Maria Peck, widow, 10 Willow-grove, Plaistow, Essex, second class stewardess, identified one of the bodies as that of MRS VIOLET HUDGSTON, aged 43, wife of DAVID PATERSON HUDGSTON, a discharged S. African soldier. The explosion was at 7 a.m. Deceased got into the same boat as witness, with two other women and a boy, and a few men to look after the boat. The boat did not capsize, but owing to the heavy seas she shipped a good deal of water. They were afloat until about 5 o'clock in the afternoon, when they were rescued by a destroyer. Deceased collapsed about 1 ½ hours after they had been in the boat, and died. - MRS MAY PENELOPE JACKSON, aged 37, was identified by Annie Stillwell, single, of Grays, Essex, a stewardess in the first saloon of the Galway Castle. Deceased's last address was Glinton Manor, Farringdon, Berks. - Bessie Edwards, Stewardess in the 3rd class, of Lingfield, Surrey, identified PHYLLIS MURRAY, lying at the Royal Albert Hospital. Deceased was about five years old and was with her mother and two sisters. - Picking Up Survivors. - Lt. Morgan John Yeatman, R.N., first lieut. of the destroyer, stated that when at sea on Thursday a wireless message was received that the Galway Castle had been torpedoed. They immediately proceeded to her assistance, and on reaching the vicinity picked up three boats full of passengers. There were two other of H.M. destroyers there picking up survivors and the bodies of some who had died. In the destroyer in which he was serving they picked up 45 persons out of three boats, of whom four men and two women were found to be dead. Acting under orders received from the Com.-in-Chief, all identified bodies, with the exception of MR VICKERS were buried at sea. - The Coroner: You saw nothing of the submarine? - No, we did not get there until 3.20 p.m. - Surg. W. L. Greswick, R.N.V.R., serving in the same ship as the last witness, said MRS HUDGSTON and MRS JACKSON died through shock and exposure. Witness also saw MR VICKERS, whose wife was in witness's boat. His death was due to the same causes. - Jumped Overboard To Save. - Lt. George Alex. Anderson, R.N.R., said his vessel took in a wireless signal that the Galway Castle was torpedoed, and immediately proceeded to her assistance. On approaching the vessel they saw boats and rafts full of people and there were several people floating in the water. He commenced rescuing the people and himself jumped overboard and rescued one child from a raft and another from the sea. The latter wore a lifebelt. Both were alive at the time, but they died in the ship shortly afterwards. - Dr E. Down, one of the hon. staff at the Royal Albert Hospital, said he had examined the bodies of three children at the Hospital, one of whom had been identified as PHYLLIS MURRAY. One of the other two bodies was that of a girl aged 7 to 8 years, with light brown hair cut short, blueish grey eyes, straight nose and slightly freckled face; and the other was a boy aged about 5 years, light brown hair, short and rather curly and hazel eyes. In each case death was due to shock and exposure. - Bereaved Mother. - The Coroner said he was informed by the doctor that a woman in the Hospital , one of the survivors, stated she saw these children in the arms of a soldier, who got them on to a raft, but the woman was unable to attend the Inquest, as only that morning she had received news that her two children were still missing. - Mr A. Ward, on behalf of the owners of the Galway Castle, expressed sincere sympathy with the relatives of those who had been unfortunately lost. He assured them that everything possible had been done to meet the immediate necessities of those who suffered by this most lamentable disaster. - Coroner's Advice. - The Coroner advised the Jury to represent in their verdict simply the actual facts of the case. He was aware it had been the practice of one or two juries to bring in a verdict of "Wilful Murder" against some personage or other. His advice was, however, that such a verdict would have no effect whatever. If they said they considered the disaster was due to some person through malice aforethought it would be his duty to commit him to the Assizes. As they knew, such a verdict would have no effect. What they must do was to remember those tragedies when the time was ripe for the discussion of peace terms, when they hoped that the offenders would be rightly punished. They must all feel the deepest horror and indignation at such an act, and at the same time they must deeply sympathise with those who had perished by that dastardly act, and also with their relatives. Nobody in the country who could have read the heartrending account of the occurrence could refrain from feeling sympathy. The country owed much to the naval officers and seamen of H.M. ships who so quickly went to the scene and did what they could to render aid and succour those in the boats and in the water. The first witness had said he felt very grateful towards them. He should go back to South Africa feeling admiration for the officers and men of the Navy. - The Coroner subsequently mentioned that MRS JACKSON'S maiden name was LODER-SYMONDS; She was the sister of CAPT. F. P. LODER-SYMONDS, former flag-commander at Devonport, who had lost three brothers in the war. Mr Anderson was to be congratulated for the heroic effort he made to save the lives of the children by jumping overboard. - The Jury formally returned a verdict that the deceased died on September 12 at sea from shock and exposure, after leaving in a boat the Union-Castle steamship Galway Castle, which had been Torpedoed by an enemy submarine.

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on ROSINA MARY KING, of Buckland-terrace. Beatrice Beavis, who lived in the same house, said on Friday evening MRS KING climbed on a chair to unhook clothes. Exclaiming that she felt dizzy, she fell. Dr J. S. Pearse was called in, but death occurred the same night. The cause of death was cerebral haemorrhage, caused by the fall. Verdict, "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Saturday 28 September 1918
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on HENRY ADAMSON OSBORNE, aged 75, pensioner, R.N., who was found dead in bed on Thursday, with a gas tube in his mouth and the gas turned on. - Dr Palmer said the cause of death was gas poisoning. - Verdict: "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on FRED TAYLOR, aged 38, seaman, a verdict of "Accidental Death" being returned. The man fell down the crank pit of a steamship belonging to the British and Irish Steam Packet Company and was landed at Plymouth on Wednesday. - Dr Woo said deceased entered the S.D. and E.C. Hospital suffering from cuts and a fractured thigh. Gangrene set in and caused death.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 1 October 1918
PLYMPTON - Plympton Farmer's Slip. - At Plympton yesterday Mr R. R. Rodd held an Inquest on ROGER C. SORTON, 50, farmer and haulier, of Barn Park, Plympton. - ALFRED SORTON, farm labourer, of Greenbank, Underwood, said on Saturday afternoon, while rabbiting with his uncle, they came to a sloping field, known as Beavel's Town. While he waited below his uncle clambered up a steep quarry, out of sight, with a ferret. He could have had only time to put the ferret in the hole when his gun was heard to go off. Rushing to the place, he found him dead on the ground. - Dr W. D. Stamp said death was due to a terrible gun wound in the breast. He agreed with the hypothesis that the deceased picked up the gun hastily by the muzzle and stumbling, caused it to be discharged into his body. The trigger was so loose as to be affected by the slightest touch. - Mr Rodd said the circumstances appeared to him as those of an accident and returned a verdict accordingly.

PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on AGNES EVELYN MACK, aged five years, living at Belgrave-terrace, and her mother, 27 years of age, of the same name and address. MRS MACK, the grandmother, said the child was taken ill on SAturday and died before medical aid could be obtained. The child's mother was taken ill and died on Sunday. Dr Price, as the result of post-mortem examinations, attributed death in both cases to pneumonia.

Western Morning News, Thursday 3 October 1918
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest yesterday on THOMAS DAVEY, 72, mason, Laira-street, Plymouth, who, whilst at work with his employer, Mr R. Spencer, was killed by the collapse of a scaffold. It was suggested that a bar, driven into the wall, worked loose with the vibration of the scaffold, and fell out, causing the mishap.

Western Morning News, Thursday 10 October 1918
PLYMOUTH - Boy Killed At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on JOHN HENRY HOWES, aged 5, who was knocked down and killed by a U.S. motor lorry in Sutton-road on Tuesday. The child on returning from school was so frightened by a dog barking at him that he ran blindly into the road and was knocked down by the lorry, which was approaching slowly. The dog was muzzled. - Verdict: "Accidental Death"; the driver was exonerated from blame, and sympathy expressed with the parents.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 16 October 1918
BUCKLAND MONACHORUM - An Inquest held by Mr R. R. Rodd at Horrabridge yesterday, upon FRANK CHEGWYN, 45, timber feller, Church Cottage, Horrabridge, was adjourned for a week for the attendance of Dr O'Reilly, now ill with influenza, and the man's employer. While working in a wood the man sustained an accident to the knee, for which he was medically attended by Dr O'Reilly (in the absence of Dr Brodrick), and during the former's indisposition by Dr Hillyar, Tavistock. The man was found to have died from acute pneumonia of the right lung, which, according to the medical opinion, developed during the 48 hours of the man's life.

CHIVELSTONE - East Prawle Tragedy. - MRS BLANCHE KATE, wife of MR ANTHONY WEYMOUTH, farmer, Shepherd's Farm, East Prawle, committed suicide by drowning herself in the sea at Horseley Cove on Friday evening. At the Inquest on Monday the husband said his wife was 36 and left three young children. She had been suffering from pains in the head. He had to go to Exeter on Friday before the medical board, , and on his return home, at 10 p.m., he was informed his wife was missing. She had left a note stating her head was so bad she could not stand it any longer. She was going to Horseley Sands to drown herself. Her body was recovered at the Cove on Saturday morning. - Verdict: "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

Western Morning News, Saturday 19 October 1918
BUCKLAND FILLEIGH - Prisoner's Death. Accidentally Shot At Buckland Filleigh. - Mr H. C. Brown, Coroner, held an Inquest at the Lodge, Buckland Filleigh, yesterday, on 34512 EMANUEL GATZA, a German prisoner of war, one of a gang from Ashbury and Northlew camp of prisoners engaged on agricultural work. - Albert Edward Mabbutt, Protection Co., R.D.C., said with Pte. George Baldock he was in charge of ten German prisoners. At 7.40 on Wednesday morning the prisoners were being marched out to work as usual by Pte. Baldock, when the latter called to him and said one of the prisoners refused to obey orders. Witness got his rifle, and gave the deceased (GATZA) orders to proceed to work at a farm with another prisoner. In broken English deceased said he would not go. Witness told him he would have to go. As he kept on refusing to go, witness gave him two periods of five minutes each to go. Witness turned round to Pte. Baldock to ask him his opinion as to the best thing to do. Deceased was about 10 yards away at that time, but all of a sudden, before witness could speak to Baldock, deceased shouted "I will kill you and die for the Fatherland," and at the same time he rushed at witness with an upraised stick. Witness swung round and put up his rifle to ward off the blow. The rifle went off and deceased was shot in the shoulder and fell down. Witness was surprised that the rifle went off. Baldock was sent for Dr Smith, and witness examined deceased, bathed his wound and put some lint on it. Deceased died within about three minutes and his last movements were to shake the stick in his hand. - Pte. Baldock corroborated and said in his opinion deceased intended to fell Mabbutt with the stick. The shooting he considered was quite an accident; he thought Mabbutt put up his rifle to ward off the blow. - Dr Smith (Shebbear) said the bullet entered the top of the left arm and death ensued from internal haemorrhage. Witness saw deceased the day before his death, when he said he was ill and he gave him some medicine. He and others were "grousing" and seemed more discontented than ill. - The Coroner found that death resulted from an Accident.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 22 October 1918
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at the S.D. and E.C. Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on WILLIAM PEDDY, aged 60, of Pearson-road, storeman, employed in the Victualling Yard. Outside his house on Wednesday he slipped and fell. He was taken into the house unconscious, attended by Dr Price, and removed to the Hospital, where he died on Saturday from pressure on the brain, the result of the fall. Verdict: "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 23 October 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Sergeant's Death In A Bath. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Military Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, on ALBERT BABEY, 43, sergt. in the Oxford and Bucks L.I., of Coresend, Bourne End. - According to the evidence of Grs. H. Douglas, Canadian Artillery and A. H. Newton, Australian F.A., BABEY was a patient not confined to his bed and on Sunday morning decided to have a bath in the bathroom at the end of the ward. After twenty minutes one of the witnesses knocked at the door and received no response. Ten minutes later he knocked again and then there was no response. Entering the bathroom by a window, he found BABEY lying face downwards in the bath. Artificial respiration was tried without success. - Capt. W. J. Phillips, R.A.M.C., said death was due to accidental drowning following an attack of syncope arising out of recent influenza debility. - Verdict according to medical testimony.

Western Morning News, Thursday 24 October 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - An Inquest was held at Devonport last evening on the 16-months-old child of MR W. T. TALLACK, Dockyard labourer, Jackson-place. Dr Olivia N. Walker, on hearing that the child had bronchitis, sent medicine, and said she would call later when visiting other members of the household suffering from influenza. Later the father went to the surgery stating that the child was dying, and when he returned it was dead. - Dr Walker said death was due to pneumonia following influenza. - The :Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, said doctors were scarce and very much overworked, especially in face of the epidemic of influenza.

Western Morning News, Saturday 26 October 1918
ISLE OF WIGHT - Prawle Man's Sudden Death. - The Isle of Wight Coroner held an Inquest at Sandown yesterday on C.P.O. ARTHUR SKIMMIELD, R.N. of Prawle Point, who fell dead while on duty at Culver Cliff on Wednesday. SKIMMIELD had just signalled to his station from the edge of the cliff and was running up the hill when he fell. - The Chief Officer of Coastguards said deceased was in a state of excitement. - The Coroner decided that this and over-exertion acting on a weak heart were the cause of death.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Death In Corn Bin. Plymouth Lad's Curiosity Leads To Death. - At Stonehouse Townhall yesterday Mr R. R. Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest on GEORGE HENRY WARD, 17, of 20 Bath-lane, Plymouth, employed at the Valletort Flour Mills. The lad was sent by Mr J. J. Wheeler to close the windows in the loft at the top of the building, just before noon on 11th inst., and told to go to dinner when he had done so. He was not seen alive again. As he neither returned home nor came to claim his pay in the evening, the next day a thorough search was instituted, which resulted in his being found dead in No. 20 corn bin, buried under 50 feet of corn. The only access to the bin which he could have used was down through the trap-door of an adjacent bin and along a 4 ½-inch ledge several feet in length. Had he wished to commit suicide, he could have dropped 70 feet sheer into the first bin, which was empty. All circumstances made it evident that he could not have been thrown in, and the most probable solution was that out of curiosity he ventured into the dangerous position where he could see the corn pouring in and lost his balance. It was quite outside the scope of his duties to concern himself with the bins. - Dr W. H. Waterfield said death was due to suffocation and expressed an opinion that no violence could have been used. - Verdict, "Found Dead, there being no evidence as to how he got into the bin."

Western Morning News, Thursday 31 October 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Devon Private's Suicide. - Mr J. A. Pearce held an Inquest at the Military Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, on PTE. HENRY WILLIAM PEARCE, Devon R., aged 24, who died on Tuesday from the effects of a gunshot wound. - Sgt. C. Churms, Devon R., stated that at Tregantle at 11 a.m. on the 11th inst. witness told deceased to take a shovel and some ground sheets to the store. He obeyed the order willingly. Shortly afterwards witness heard a shot fired and found deceased unconscious in the hut and bleeding from a wound in the head. Pte. H. L. King, Devon R., said deceased asked witness to fetch some bread from the fort and as witness reached the door of the hut he heard the report of a rifle. Turning quickly, witness saw deceased falling, with the rifle in front of him and the muzzle pointing towards his face. Whilst deceased was in the hut he had been staring blankly into space. A medical officer was summoned, and deceased was taken to Devonport. Deceased was of a morose disposition and said little to anybody. Witness could not see how the rifle could have been accidentally discharged. Men were not allowed to take loaded rifles in the huts, and the weapons were always inspected before the men left the ranges. - Capt. J. R. MacGillvray, R.A.M.C., described deceased's injuries and said the man suffered greatly from shock and got emaciated through not taking his food. In witness's opinion deceased placed the muzzle of the rifle in his mouth and pulled the trigger. He had made no statement, but his expression was that of an insane man. Death was due to shock through self-inflicted wounds. - Verdict: "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Morning News, Friday 1 November 1918
IVYBRIDGE - Mr R. Robinson Rodd, Coroner, yesterday opened an Inquest at the Council Room, Ivybridge, on the body of the female child of ETHEL PULLEYBLANK, maid-servant, employed at the V.A.D. Hospital, Stowford Lodge, found in the flue of a chimney at the Hospital. The mother not being well enough to attend the Inquest, no evidence was taken, the Inquest being adjourned until Wednesday November 13.

Western Morning News, Thursday 7 November 1918
PLYMSTOCK - Found Dead At Turnchapel. - Mr R. R. Rodd, jun., Deputy Coroner, held an Inquest at Turnchapel yesterday on GEORGE WOODLEY, 52, landlord of the Shipwrights' Arms, found dead on Monday night in the road near Dean School. - Walter H. West, market gardener, Plymstock, said on Monday evening he was told that a horse had shied at something in the road, and upon going to see what it was he found deceased who appeared to be dead. - Dr Noy Scott said death was due to fatty degeneration and valvular disease of the heart. - Verdict, "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Saturday 9 November 1918
PLYMOUTH - Fatal Accident On Liner. Plymouth Inquest. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on ADOLPHUS LEOPOLD ORTLEPP, aged 68, mechanical engineer, a native of South Africa, who met his death as the result of an accident on board a steamship. Deceased had been visiting some friends in England for 14 months, and was about to return to South Africa. Whilst on board the ship he and another passenger stepped into the luggage hatch and fell a distance of 10 feet. There was no light on the spot. He was landed at Plymouth and taken to the Homeopathic Hospital, where he died on Thursday. - Mr Eric Ward, on behalf of deceased, thought they should have something more than a letter from the commander of the ship. - The Coroner pointed out that the ship had left port and that in such cases it was difficult to obtain witnesses. He would, however, adjourn the case until Monday to see if anyone else could be found.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 12 November 1918
PLYMOUTH - Fatal Accident On Ship. - The Inquest was resumed at Plymouth yesterday on ADOLPHUS LEOPOLD ORTLEPP, mechanical engineer, accidentally killed on board ship. - ORTLEPP was returning to South Africa, his home, when he stepped into a luggage hatch, falling a distance of ten feet. Mr E. Ward watched the case for the relatives, and Mr J. L. Wolferstan for the shipping company. A letter was produced from the commander of the ship, explaining the accident and stating that there was an electric light burning over the hatch. - A verdict was returned that the man died from the effects of the injuries received, but that there was not sufficient evidence to show how the injuries were caused.

Western Morning News, Thursday 14 November 1918
IDDESLEIGH - Okehampton Man Drowned. - Mr H. C. Brown held an Inquest on Tuesday evening at Bridgetown, Iddesleigh, on WILLIAM HOWARD, aged 62 years, labourer, late of the George Inn, Okehampton. His body was found on a bank by the River Torridge near the junction of that river with the Okement at Iddesleigh on Monday. - Mr A. J. Parker, of the Fountain Hotel, Okehampton, said HOWARD was a bachelor lately employed by Furze and Son in quarrying near Okehampton. - Mr E. R. Chamings, of Bridgetown, spoke to the finding of the body. - Dr W. F. Mitchell, of Hatherleigh, said death was due to drowning. HOWARD'S neck was dislocated and there were bruises about the face and head, but probably the latter were caused by the body being washed down the river. - P.C. Shackson said there were three £1 Treasury notes on the body and a watch and chain. - The Coroner found that the cause of death was drowning, but there was no evidence to show how deceased got into the water or the actual date of his death.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Devonport Tragedy. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, yesterday on EDWARD SMEETON, aged 58, C.E.R.A., of 43 Charlotte-street, Devonport. Deceased was employed in H.M. Dockyard, and on October 31 he went to work as usual, but complained of pains in the head. All that night he was unwell. The next morning his daughter heard a noise in the passage and on going to see what was the matter, found him lying with his throat cut. He was conveyed to the Royal Albert Hospital, where the wound was stitched. He was then removed to the R.N. Hospital. - Surg.-Com. F. E. Bolton, R.N., said the wound was serious and death was due to exhaustion following the injuries. - The :Coroner said the Inquest would be adjourned to secure the presence of other witnesses.

IVYBRIDGE - Ivybridge Baby Case. Verdict "Wilful Murder. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest at Ivybridge yesterday on the newly-born child of ETHEL EDNA PULLYBLANK, aged 23. - Miss Amy Eleanor Elliott, sister-in-charge of the V.A. Hospital, Stowford Lodge, said ETHEL PULLYBLANK had been a scullery-maid there since December 1917. On October 28 last, about 7 a.m. she found her in the scullery in a weak state and saw her to bed. On Dr Cooper being called she persisted she had not had a child, but eventually admitted it, and said she had carried it downstairs, fell down with it and placed it in the flue of the scullery fireplace. The matron found the body of a female child behind the damper, which was closed. It was wrapped in a newspaper. She was not aware of the girl's condition, but had her suspicions. - Mrs Emelin Brown, who shared the same bedroom with PULLYBLANK, said about 3.30 in the morning she missed her and got out to find her. She met her coming up the stairs. PULLYBLANK said she felt much better and went back into bed. At about six o'clock PULLYBLANK got up and went down again to resume her work. She said nothing about having a child, and witness had no suspicions. - Miss Emily Standy, cook at the Hospital, said she went into the kitchen about seven on that morning and saw ETHEL PULLYBLANK there. Finding she was faint, she called assistance. - Dr C. E. Cooper said the body was that of a fully-matured child. On the right side of the neck was a wound cutting through all the tissues of the neck except a little piece at the back. The head was almost severed from the body. He was satisfied that the child had had a separate existence. The injury to the neck was sufficient to cause death. - The Coroner: That was the only evidence of violence? - Yes. - There was no evidence that the child was bruised when it fell? - No; the body was so covered with ash that it was difficult to say if the skin was bruised. - From your examination these injuries were the only apparent cause of death? - Yes; but it is possible the child bled from the rough severance of the cord and died from haemorrhage before this injury was inflicted. Whether it died before the injury to the neck I cannot say. - To a Juryman: The cut on the neck was jagged at one place, but was probably inflicted with a sharp instrument. - The Coroner said the evidence showed that PULLYBLANK concealed the fact that she would have a child and made no preparation for its birth. The apparent cause of death was the cutting of the child's neck and he thought there was only one verdict open to the Jury and that was murder. - The Jury retired for half or three-quarters of an hour and on their return the Foreman (Mr H. J. F. Lee) said the Jury were unanimous in returning a verdict of "Wilful Murder" against ETHEL EDNA PULLYBLANK. - Supt. Chammings was present and after the Inquest PULLYBLANK was brought before a magistrate and remanded for a week.

Western Morning News, Saturday 16 November 1918
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Child's Death. - At the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, yesterday, Mr J. A. Pearse held an Inquest on ALETHEA ELIZABETH ASHTON, 9 years, daughter of GEORGE H. ASHTON, Dockyard labourer, Monument-street. The father stated that on October 29 the child was brought home suffering from a nasty blow on the head. Two days later she was admitted to Hospital, where she died on Thursday. - Beatrice H. Nicholls said she was playing at Mutton Cove on October 29, when ASHTON climbed into a van and over-balanced herself and fell, cutting her head. - Dr S. Jesudason, House Surgeon, said the child had a septic scalp wound on the forehead 2 ½ inches long. He had to perform a small operation as her condition did not improve, and Capt. Vellacott, the visiting Surgeon, trepanned the skull and found a cerebral abscess. Death was due to the abscess, following inflammation of the skull. - The father remarked that he should have been informed that the trepanning operation was intended. - Witness replied that it was important that it should be performed forthwith. - Mr Pearce said if an operation had to be performed at once there would be no chance of communicating with parents. He knew Capt. Vellacott and the father could take it for granted that the operation would be performed very skilfully. - MR ASHTON replied that he was satisfied, and the Coroner recorded a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Monday 18 November 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - C.E.R.A.'S Sad Death. - The Inquest was resumed on Saturday at the R.N. Hospital, on EDWARD SMEETON, C.E.R.A., 43, Charlotte-street, Devonport. - MRS BRODERIDGE said on the night of October 31 her father was unwell and went to bed early. Next morning she heard a noise in the passage and found him with a wound in his throat. She obtained assistance and conveyed him to the Royal Albert Hospital. Probably his detention at R.N .Hospital as a carrier of cerebro-spinal meningitis, and also his war service, depressed him. - Dr Sevarirojn Jesudason, House Surgeon, Royal Albert Hospital, said on November 2 SMEETON was removed to the R.N. Hospital. He did not think the removal in any way affected the injury. - Verdict: "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 19 November 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Child's Death. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday on JACK BRIAN GILL, the 3 year old son of an able seaman, R.N., residing at High-street, Stonehouse. - Thomas Rilleston, motor driver, Goschen-street, Devonport, said on Friday he was driving a lorry to the General Post Office, at about six or seven miles an hour, when he heard a shout and felt the back wheel of the lorry lift. He stopped, and found he had run over the child. He took him to the Hospital. - Dr F. H. Stuttiford, of the Hospital, said it was a hopeless case. - Fredk. Smout, postman, who was with the lorry, said it was going slowly owing to the traffic. The accident could not have been avoided. - Harriet Pook, wife of a private in the Devon Labour Battalion, said she was out with the child on Friday night and the accident took place at the corner of Waterloo-street. The child thinking he saw his mother, let go her hand and ran, and the next thing she saw was that the lad was under the wheel of the lorry, which was going very slowly. - Verdict: "Accidental Death," the Coroner saying there was no blame attaching to the driver.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 4 December 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - Armistice-Day Tragedy. Boat Capsized In Hamoaze. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest at Stonehouse yesterday on RICHARD MORGAN, aged 26, able seaman, H.M.S. Garland, whose body was picked up on Monday near Admiral's Hard, and who has been missing since November 11. - David Fleming, able seaman, said that on the 11th ult. he left his ship in a dinghy with six others, including deceased. They proceeded down stream to Torpoint, with a strong ebb tide. In turning to avoid the ferry, the boat lurched, and capsized. The crew were thrown into the water about 40 yards from the beach, though they were nearly alongside the ferry pontoon. The tide carried them away from the pontoon, but five managed to swim ashore. Witness assisted deceased, who could not swim. When they were about 20 yards from the beach witness became exhausted and was compelled to leave MORGAN and swim ashore himself. His difficulties were increased by the struggles of deceased, who seemed to lose his nerve. They were really having a "joy-ride" to celebrate news of the armistice having been signed. Deceased, who was a native of Chepstow. joined the Navy for the period of the War. - Mrs Warde, Chapel-road, Torpoint, wife of Mr G. Warde, schoolmaster, witnessed the capsizing of the boat and said everything possible was done to save the man, but, as he drifted down-stream, he could not be reached. - Warrant Storemaster D. B. Peacock, H.M.S. Impregnable, who also saw the occurrence, said when the men stood up in the boat it capsized. - The Coroner: What do you think caused the boat to upset? - Witness: The men were standing up. The boat was small. - Inspector Madden, Water Police, said he searched for the body for two hours after deceased's disappearance, but was unable to find any trace. A sailor found the body floating in Stonehouse Pool on Monday morning. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and commended the brave attempts to rescue made by Fleming and Mr Peacock.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 10 December 1918
PLYMOUTH - Train Tragedy. Inquest On Army Chaplain. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on CAPT. FOSTER RAINE, aged 29 years, an Army chaplain, Bleak House, St Martin's, Isles of Scilly. - BERTRAM RAINE, cadet, of Stockton said CAPT. RAINE was his brother. He had not seen him for 13 months, but was aware that he was going home on leave. Deceased was home on leave four months ago, and was apparently quite normal. He was perfectly happy and had no financial troubles. - John Bristow, G.W.R guard, said he was at North-road Station, Plymouth, on Saturday, waiting for the mail train from Paddington for Penzance. It arrived about five o'clock, and he heard it said that someone had hung himself in the train. He found a first class carriage with the lights out and the door closed. He opened it and saw the body hanging by the neck to the rack, quite dead. Deceased was wearing brown, high-heeled ladies' shoes - Dr M. Aikman said death was due to hanging. - The Inquest was adjourned until Wednesday.

PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Burning Fatality. - An Inquest was held at Plymouth yesterday on BEATRICE MARY BARNES, wife of a gunner, R.G.A., of Radnor-place, Plymouth. - Ellen Hancock said she lived in the same house as MRS BARNES. On Friday afternoon she ran out into the passage with her clothes in flames. Witness enveloped her with a mat and sent for a doctor. She thought it probable that MRS BARNES had a fit (she was subject to fits) and fell against the gas ring in her room. - Dr H. Stuttaford said deceased was admitted to the S.D. and E.C. Hospital on Friday, but the case was hopeless from the first. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 11 December 1918
EAST STONEHOUSE - At Stonehouse yesterday Mr R. Robinson Rodd held an Inquest on ESTHER L. HANNAFORD, widow, aged 73, of Newport-street. Early in the morning on November 18, Mrs Charlotte Jackson, residing in the same house, found her in bed with a part of her clothing burnt. She leant towards a candle and her nightdress caught fire. Dr Leah was sent for and attended her until Saturday, when she developed bronchitis and died. Verdict: Accidental Death.

HALWELL - Halwell Woman's Sad Death. - At Halwell Mr T. Edmonds held an Inquest on MARTHA LEWIS. - MRS MARY E. LEWIS said the deceased, 21 years of age, and a spinster, resided with her. She had got into trouble, and said several times she would be happy if she was in Halwell Churchyard. Witness had promised to stand by her. On Friday she said: "Aunt, I will never go through it." Shortly afterwards she called her up and said "I am almost gone." This was about 11 p.m., and she died near midnight. - Dr Jellicoe, of Totnes, stated that on being called he saw a cup containing crystals, which had the appearance and taste of strychnine. There was more than enough left to kill a human being. - P.S. Lang said the girl purchased strychnine in Aug. from Mr Hellens, of Totnes, to kill rats. - Verdict, "Suicide while Temporarily Insane."

Western Morning News, Thursday 12 December 1918
PLYMOUTH - Army Chaplains' Suicide. Inquest At Plymouth. - The Inquest on REV. FOSTER RAINE, C. F. , found hanging in a G.W.R. carriage at North-road Station, Plymouth, on Saturday, was resumed yesterday by Mr R. B. Johns. The Inquiry was adjourned on the statement of the brother that he could not conceive deceased having hanged himself. It was now stated that the brother was absolutely satisfied with the statements at the previous hearing, and asked that he might be excused attending. - James L. Southern, the guard of the train, said he saw MR RAINE at Bristol. On leaving that city he was alone in the compartment, in which the gas was afterwards lowered. - The Coroner was satisfied that it was a case of suicide during temporary insanity. - Rev. P. Davey, principal chaplain to the forces, said MR RAINE went through the retreat of the Fifth Army and was in the fighting at St. Quentin, and no doubt the terrible experiences had affected his nerves.

PLYMOUTH - Drowned In Sutton Pool. - At Plymouth yesterday Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest on JOHN W. HARDY, aged 72, retired ship's carpenter, Cleveland-road, found drowned in Sutton Pool. He apparently left home about 5 a.m. on Tuesday and his body was discovered about 8 o'clock. Dr Wilkinson said MR HARDY had been weak mentally for some time, but there was nothing to suggest he would attempt suicide. He appeared happy and as it was a favourite resort of his, he might have fallen over the quay in the darkness. "Found Drowned" was the verdict.

Western Morning News, Saturday 14 December 1918
TEIGNMOUTH - Teignmouth Lady's Death. Faith In Healing By Prayer. - Mr S. Hacker held an Inquest at Teignmouth yesterday on MRS FLORA JORDAN, wife of MR W. F. C. JORDAN, solicitor. - The husband said his wife, 36 years of age, had been an invalid for some time, but had been able to attend to duties in connection with Belgian refugees. Dr Haydon, of Newton, about two years ago told them she had a cyst, which ought to be removed by operation. Both witness and his wife objected to an operation. His wife held the belief that by prayer to Jesus Christ she would be healed, as people were of old. - The Coroner: Do I understand that she declined medical treatment? - No; but she did not consider it necessary. - Could she have had medical advice had she wished? - Certianly, or anything else. - There is no reason for any suggestion that it was withheld from her? - None whatever. - And there was no influence? - None whatever. My wife would not have been influenced by anybody. - Since she saw Dr Haydon about two years ago had she been getting worse? - No; she appeared to be decidedly better. - MR JORDAN, continuing, said his wife recently had been unwell, but on Sunday said she was feeling better. On Tuesday evening his wife's sister told him she had had a fainting fit. When he saw his wife, however, she said she was better. - The Coroner: After that fainting attack, did you not think of calling in a doctor? - She agreed to seeing a doctor the following day when, she said, she would be dressed and up. Witness, continuing, said his wife ate a good breakfast on Wednesday and certainly appeared to be better. About 9.30 his sister-in-law called him, saying "Do come and help me lift FLORA in bed. She has fallen." Finding his wife unconscious he telephoned for Dr Little. - Dr E. Haydon, Newton Abbot, said he last saw MRS JORDAN in November 1916. She was suffering from a cyst. He advised an operation, as he felt certain the growth would increase and cause more trouble. She greatly objected to an operation. The disease was not amenable to treatment except by operation. - Dr F. E. Little, who had made a post-mortem examination, said he found a large cyst, and the right side of the heart showed weakness. - ANNIE GRIMALDI, of London, said her sister, MRS JORDAN, always had the faith that she would get better, and it was simply her own wish that a doctor was not called in. - Verdict, "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 17 December 1918
PLYMOUTH - The Inquest on THOMAS KNOTT, age 66, employed by Clatworthy (Limited), Plymouth, on whose before Mr M. M. Pearce appeared, was yesterday adjourned for the attendance of a Factory Inspector. MRS KNOTT said she did not know any particulars of the accident which resulted in her husband's death at the Hospital. From what could be gathered deceased had been caught in a machine at the factory, but it was not clear how it came about.

FLINTSHIRE - Flight Cadets From Newton And Heavitree. - Flight Cadet ALAN EDWARD LLOYD, 20, of Knowles-hill, Newton Abbot, and Flight Cadet EDWARD JAMES RICE, 19, of Homefield-place, Heavitree, Exeter, were killed on Saturday in separate accidents while they were making flights from a Flintshire aerodrome. At the Inquest by a Flintshire Coroner last evening, the verdicts were "Accidentally Killed," no blame being attached to anyone.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 24 December 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Accident. Killed By Falling Masonry. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on JOHN BRAY PARSONS, 53, insurance agent, 94 Tavistock-road, who died as the result of a piece of masonry falling from a building in Tavistock-place and striking him on the head on Saturday night. - The Coroner said it was a sad and an extraordinary accident; the piece of masonry weighed about 40 lb. - FLORENCE HILL, sister-in-law, said deceased left his home on Saturday night to do some business, saying he would soon be back. That was the last time she saw him until the Police fetched her to the Hospital. - Octavia L. M. Heath, wife of a newsagent at 29 Tavistock-road, said as she was coming from the market, on Saturday evening, she saw something falling through the air. She did not see the stone strike deceased, but saw a man collapse on the ground. A crowd gathered, and she went home. - Dr F. Hugo, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said deceased was admitted to the Hospital suffering from shock and cerebral haemorrhage. He had a terrific fracture of about seven inches long in the head. The actual cause of death was shock and haemorrhage. It was an absolutely hopeless case from the first. - The Coroner adjourned the Inquest until this afternoon, to enable expert evidence to be obtained as to the reason of the masonry falling.

EAST STONEHOUSE - Dockyard Fatality. - Mr R. Robinson Rodd, Coroner, held an Inquest at the R.N. Hospital, Stonehouse, yesterday on ROBERT WOODS BATTEN, mason, of Cross Park, Saltash, who met his death as the result of an accident on the 16th inst. Mr E. Peck watched the proceedings for the Admiralty. - Frederick Boaden, R.N. Ordnance Depot, Rochester, said deceased, his brother-in-law, aged 37, was employed in H.M. Dockyard. - Wm. Henry Fishley, mason, said he was working with deceased, carrying cement bags to a transport ship in the docks. On reaching the dock BATTEN threw the bag off his back, and in doing so, over-balanced and fell about 15 feet to the stage below. The fall was a pure accident. Deceased was quite capable of doing the work. The material was required for putting a concrete floor in the ship. - Surg.-Lt. R. E. Smith, R.N. Hospital, said deceased was admitted to the Hospital suffering from injuries to the head. He died four days later from a fracture at the base of the skull. - Verdict: "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Friday 27 December 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Fatality. Killed By Falling Masonry. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, resumed the Inquest on JOHN BRAY PARSONS, who was killed by a piece of falling masonry in Tavistock-road, Plymouth. Deceased, who left 94 Tavistock-road, on Saturday evening, was passing the corner of Tavistock-place, when the stonework between two windows fell upon him. - An examination of the building was made by Mr James Paton, Borough Surveyor, who explained that the collapse of the stone was due to an almost vertical fracture. Its discolouration showed that it had been subjected to weather conditions. The constant soaking in of the rain and the recent frost caused the collapse. On Friday night the frost was severe and the high wind and consequent vibration of the sash window frames were the causes of the masonry falling. The house was built in 1899 and the stone came from the borders of Dorset and Somerset. The stone was not in its natural bed. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict returned, and Mr F. W. Murray expressed the sympathy of the owners.

Western Morning News, Monday 30 December 1918
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Prison Tragedy. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest at Plymouth Prison on Saturday on ETHEL SMITH alias WALTERS, who committed suicide in her cell on Christmas-eve. - Margaret Ann Green, matron of the Prison, said when she first saw deceased, on December 24, she appeared to be quite in her right mind. On Christmas morning when she went to unlock the cell deceased was hanging to an iron bar of the window, with a cloth belt around her neck. She was dead. A slate with a message to an Australian soldier was in the cell. "Dearest Ted," it ran, "my suffering tonight has reached a limit. I can stand this no longer. I have lost you and everything that life holds dear. I played the game with you, Ted, old boy, to the last, and would have kept true to the end." - Mr J. T. Bassett, Governor of the Prison, said deceased was sent to the prison to be remanded until the 31st. All prisoners remanded were allowed to wear their ordinary clothes, and that accounted for deceased being in possession of the belt. But even if she had not the belt, she could have used bedclothes. She had been previously convicted for shop-lifting. - Medical evidence showed that death was due to strangulation. - Verdict, "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane."

PLYMOUTH - Killed By A Tramcar. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital on MRS ELIZABETH JANE ELLIOTT HYNE, aged 45, Gilwell-cottages. MR G. A. HYNE, husband, said on Christmas-eve he was with his wife in the town and left her in Tavistock-road talking to her sister. She crossed the road just after, when one tram was going up the hill and another tram coming down. He next found she had been knocked down by one of the cars. - Chas. Warrell, tram driver, said he was driving from Morice-square to the Theatre Royal. Just as he passed another car in Tavistock-road deceased stepped out from behind and stood still in front of him, too frightened to move. He applied the emergency brake immediately, but the car pulled up too late to avert the accident. - Alf. Edward Vernon, an eye-witness, agreed with the driver that it was quite accidental. The noise of one car drowned the noise of the other, and deceased must have stepped unsuspectingly right in front of the second car. - The driver was exonerated from blame and a verdict of "Accidental Death" returned.

PLYMOUTH - - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner held an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital on PHILIP CHAPELL HIGMAN, 51, fitter, of H.M. Dockyard, of Tracey-street. - Wm. James Saunders, town porter, said on Thursday morning he was driving a two-wheeled trap, with deceased, in St Hilary-terrace. The horse shied at a party of runners, and he was thrown out of the trap, but deceased was carried further on, and finally thrown against a wall, when the vehicle overturned. The horse was bought from the Army a few weeks ago. - Dr J.C. Vaughan said deceased was admitted to the S.D. and E.C. Hospital on 26th inst. suffering from a fractured skull. He died from injuries received, which were complicated by delirium tremens. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 31 December 1918
TAVISTOCK - Tavistock Widow's Death. - At an Inquest held by Mr R. R. Rodd on MRS MARGARETTA CHAPMAN, aged 89, widow, 10 Parkwood-cottages, Tavistock, MRS ELLEN DOIDGE, her daughter, stated that deceased fell and broke her thigh on the 16th inst. She would not have a doctor at the time, but witness sent for Dr J. Leslie Watt, who came on the 22nd. Deceased was found dead in bed last Friday morning. - Dr Watt stated that death was due to senile decay, accelerated by shock. The Coroner returned a verdict of Accidental Death.