chrisharley9 Posted 14 December , 2007 Share Posted 14 December , 2007 Robert is another lad that I found on the East Sussex Coroners Records He committed suicide by coal gas poisoning after discharge early Jan 1920; the coroners report states that this was due temporary insanity due to wounds received in France during March 1918 He had served in France with the Gordon Highlanders His address is shown as Westbourne Gardens, Hove The Pension Records indeed show that he was wounded Reference: COR/1/3/1001 Creation dates: 6 Jan 1920 EVERETT Scope and Content Robert Wells, 71 Westbourne Gardens, Hove, 27; suicide by coal gas poisoning due to temporary insanity, result of wounds received in action in France in March 1918 Above is what is shown on the coroners records How much weight will that statement hold with the powers that be Can anyone suggest a possible burial place? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisharley9 Posted 14 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 14 December , 2007 I have got the DC ref Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morcombe Posted 15 December , 2007 Share Posted 15 December , 2007 Chris, the DC may give you a problem with the cause. All suicides I found appear to be attributed to "temporary insanity" in or out of service. The authorities seemed to think you had to be mad to kill yourself. Suicide would also appear to be a felony. Here is an ex-RND man with a similar fate, he lost an eye in July 1917 with the Hood Bn.:- R/722 Able Seaman Sydney Ash Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Hood Bn. 02/05/1921 Committed suicide after Discharge (Invalided) at Home address: 10 Market Place, Newark, Notts. Cause of Death: Did wilfully & feloniously kill himself by coal gas poisoning. Inquest held 3/5/21. Draft for BEF 6/5/17, joined Hood Bn. 31/5/17-5/7/17 SW Neck & right eye excised, severe, Invalided to UK 23/7/17 ; transferred to Crystal Palace Depot 27/1/18, as No. Palace Z/1726 AB RNVR ; Discharged Invalided 8/1/19 (Multiple GSWs). Issued Silver War Badge No.RN34783 9/1/19. b.12/3/1897 ; Home address & Next-of-Kin: Father, William Henry, 10 Market Place, Newark, Notts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisharley9 Posted 16 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 16 December , 2007 John as the coroner attributes the suicide to his war wounds Im going to give it a go thanks for the info Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 16 December , 2007 Share Posted 16 December , 2007 Everett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morcombe Posted 16 December , 2007 Share Posted 16 December , 2007 Chris I'd be interested to see what the DC says. The Coroner's opinion may have been biased. It's a thin one for CWGC. TTFN John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisharley9 Posted 16 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 16 December , 2007 John the coroners opinion may be biased but it is a legally binding one so will obtain the DC & see what it says Auchonvillersomme thanks for the doc extract Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 16 December , 2007 Share Posted 16 December , 2007 the coroners opinion may be biased but it is a legally binding one so will obtain the DC & see what it says Chris I'm with you on this one. The cornoner's decision at an inquest must lend much weight to whatever is on the death cert. (which may just be the medical causes). The inquest will have heard evidence which puts the suicide in context - hence the decision that it relates to his war service. Good luck. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morcombe Posted 17 December , 2007 Share Posted 17 December , 2007 Well, if you are successful with him, maybe the inquest/coroner's report for Sydney Ash might be worth retrieving? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisharley9 Posted 17 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 17 December , 2007 John what area was the coroners report? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Morcombe Posted 19 December , 2007 Share Posted 19 December , 2007 Newark, Notts. I guess must have been the area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Denham Posted 19 December , 2007 Share Posted 19 December , 2007 You have overlooked one point. The coroner says death was by suicide due to 'temporary insanity'. The use of the word 'temporary' may be taken as meaning - 'temporary' ie occurring after discharge for a short time rather than being longstanding. Therefore, if as the coroner says, his death was due to his 'temporary insanity', it could not be service related. As it was 'temporary', it means it only existed for a short time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisharley9 Posted 20 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 20 December , 2007 Terry thanks very much for your opinion with regard to your comments on the temporary nature of the insanity this is despite the fact that this was due to his war wounds Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now