The sad story of Pte Harry Spender

[wulsten]

Inquest on a Hanley Soldier.

''Verdict of suicide while temporarily insane.''

At Hanley Town Hall on Thursday afternoon, Mr W. M. Homtbach Coroner, held an inquest on the body of Private Ernest Harry Spender, North Staffordshire Regiment, who was found hanging by the neck on Tuesday evening at his home, 109, Back York Street, Hanley.

The deceased, it was stated had been at the front, where he contracted trench fever. He was sent to Stoke war hospital and was discharged from there and given ten days furlough which expired on Tuesday last. In company with Pte William Barber, North Staffordshire Regiment who was suffering from wounds, the deceased went to the war hospital on Tuesday morning, in order to try to get an extrnsion of leave, both men were examined and ordered to return to beadquarters together. On the way back home the deceased called at the place where his wife was working and told her that he had no luck, and said that he would go home and lie down.

Mrs Annie Elizabeth Spender, the widow said her husband was 38 years of age. On her return from work on Tuesday she found him hanging by the neck. He was dead.

Private Barnes, who had been with the deceased up to 2:45pm, siad he went to the house shortly after six o clock, on Tuesday and heard Mrs Spender scream. He went to the stairs from whence the sound came and found that she had fallen downstairs. Afterwards witness went upstairs with a man named Vernon and saw the deceased hanging by the neck to the bed rail. A silk handkerchief had been used. The body was quite warm. When the deceased left witness, he said he was gonig to have a sleep and added: ''We shall go back tonight'' The deceased complained about his legs and also said he was absolutly done up. The deceased was quite rational at that time.

D.C Patrick McEroy said he went to the house about 8:10pm. The deceased lay on his back on the bedroom floor. There was a mark on the enck where the handkerchief had been. Witness added that he was told by a relative that the deceased's father and grandfather took their own lives.

Dr. Guy Reginald Hind staled that he saw the deceased at the war hospital on Tuesday. The man complained of pains in the legs. He ahd been in the Hospital suffering from Trench Fever. Witness thought it likely that the deceased suffered from depression as a result of his condition, and that as a consequence his mind became unhinged. The jury returned a verdict of ''suicide during temporary insanity.''

[ian turner]

Thanks for this. Indeed very sad.

Ian

[ralphjd]

Odd thing is he appears on SDGW twice once 3rd Batt and once 9th Batt.