Inquests Taken Into Suspicious Or Unexplained Deaths

For the County of Devon

Articles taken from the Western Morning News and Western Evening Herald

[printed in Plymouth.]

1923

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: Adlard; Allen(2); Baber; Bailey; Barker; Barnett; Bartlett; Baston; Berry; Beszant; Blank; Blowey; Board; Body; Bolas; Bond; Boyle; Bradbury; Bragg; Brooking; Brown; Bubear; Burridge; Cann; Chapman(2); Cole; Cooper; Crocker; Cross; Dawe; Dennis; Duder; Dunn; Edwards; Ellis; Evans; Facey; Farley(2); Firth; Fletcher; Fogwell; Foster; French; Friend; Futer; Gardner(2); Gavan; Gilley; Green; Grylls; Hacche; Haggarty; Hallett; Hamlyn; Harding; Harpin; Harris; Harvey(2); Hawken; Head; Hoare; Hodge; Holman; Hooper; Hoskin; Hosking; Howe; Hutchings; Instrell; Jasper; John; Johnson; Jones(2); Judd; Kenney; Kingwell; Knowles; Kymbrell; Lamerick; Lapidge; Lavers; Lean; Lethbridge; Lewis; Libby; Lightfoot; Luscombe; Luxton; Macey; Matthews; Merrifield; Mildren; Mitchell; Morgan(2); Moses; Newman; Northcott; O'Carroll; Parkhouse; Parsons(2); Pascoe; Passmore; Peard; Pearn; Peat; Pengelly; Perkins; Perryman; Pickard; Pike; Pooley; Porter; Pote; Raymont; Rich(2); Rooke; Rowe; Salter; Selmon; Shaw; Shopland; Skinner; Smith; Spry; Sanders; Senior; Stevens(2); Stonehouse; Stuart; Susans; Tabb; Taverner; Tope; Travers; Tredree; Tucker(2); Tullock; Wakeham(2); Warren; Warsaw; Waters; Wilkin; Wilkinson; Williams(2); Willing; Winsor; Wood; Woodley

Western Morning News, Monday 1 January 1923
TEIGNMOUTH - Teignmouth Woman's Death. - Mr Thomas Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, conducted an Inquest at Teignmouth on Saturday on MRS KITTY KINGWELL. - Deceased resided with her daughter and son-in-law, MR and MRS HEATH, at Northumberland-place. On Wednesday evening MRS HEATH was preparing supper, the deceased being seated by the fire. On rising to get to the table, MRS KINGWELL, who was 76 years of age, fell across the table, knocking her head. Dr F. W. Morton Palmer attended her, but she died on Thursday. He was of opinion that the fall hastened her death. - A verdict was returned that deceased died from heart failure, accelerated by the fall.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 2 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Suicide. Oil Depot Manager's Tragic End. A Pathetic Message. - " I can't stand the strain any long. All my depot work is all wrong and the climax must come. I can't write anything else. Forgive daddy for what he is doing." - Thus ran a farewell message written by FRANK PERRYMAN, 38, of 4 Sydney-terrace, North-road, Plymouth, the depot manager of the Devonport branch of the Shell Mex Oil Company, who was discovered on Saturday morning last lying face downwards in the scullery of his house in a pool of blood. His throat had been cut, and a blood-stained razor found near. - His Accounts. - At the Inquest this morning held by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, the divisional manager of the company's branch, Mr Henry Albert Masters, said that deceased had been in his employ for seven years. He last saw him alive on Friday, when he appeared to be in his usual state of health. - Since the tragedy, witness said he had discovered that there had been defalcations in the dead man's accounts. - Questioned by the Coroner, witness said that PERRYMAN had been employed as a storekeeper and took cash from drivers. - Answering further questions, witness said that it was not at the moment possible to say to what sum the defalcations amounted, but they were more than £100. - A neighbour of the deceased stated that he had given no sign of being depressed. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 2 January 1923
LONDON - Late MR W. B. PICKARD, Bideford. - A verdict of "Death by Misadventure" was returned at the Inquest in London yesterday on MR W. B. PICKARD, of Queen Anne's Buildings, Bideford, whose death in the Freemasons' Hospital, Chelsea, was reported in yesterday's "Western Morning News and Mercury." - MR PICKARD, who was aged 64, succumbed while undergoing an operation for cancer.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 2 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest this morning on MARK MOSES, who died on December 30th as the result of heart failure.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 2 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict that death was the result of convulsions caused by pneumonia was returned at an Inquest on the six months' old child of ARTHUR JONES, general labourer of 1 Trafalgar-place, Plymouth.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 3 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns today after Inquiry into the circumstances of the sudden death of PERCIVAL CHAPMAN, aged 54, a mason, who resided at 43 Baring-street. He went to his work on Monday morning, but complained of pains in his chest. On returning home in the evening he suddenly expired, and Dr Ledger found on examination that death was due to extensive pneumonia of the lungs, which produced heart failure. 

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 3 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest into the sudden death of ELIZABETH JANE PASCOE, aged 80, the wife of a cabinet-maker, living at the rear of 46 King Gardens. Evidence was given by MRS TAYLOR, daughter of the deceased, of 2 Durham-place, that she last saw her mother alive at the latter's house on Monday evening, when she seemed quite well. Late the same night, on again visiting her, she found her dead. - As a result of a post mortem examination, Dr W. J. Pascoe stated that death was caused by heart failure due to distended stomach.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 3 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, yesterday, on ELIZABETH BARNETT, 62, an inmate of Plymouth Workhouse, whose death occurred in the Institution on Sunday. 

Western Morning News, Wednesday 3 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - "Natural Causes" was the verdict returned at an Inquest held yesterday on THOMAS FOGWELL, 45, general labourer, who resided at the Church Army Hostel, Plymouth, and who died at the South Devon Hospital on Monday, after being taken ill earlier on the same day.

Western Morning News, Saturday 6 January 1923
PAIGNTON - Fatal Fall At Paignton. - Mr T. Edmunds held an Inquest at Paignton yesterday on JOHN BEAVIS DUDER, aged 78, of Glencaun, Sands-road, who died as the result of an accident sustained about three months previously. - Dr Julyan George stated that he had previously attended deceased for heart trouble. Some time ago deceased fell and sustained concussion of the brain and spinal cord. Deceased had never got over the fall, and witness attributed death to the injury to the head, combined with the condition of the heart. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Death from Heart Disease, accelerated by concussion sustained through the fall."

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 9 January 1923
EAST STONEHOUSE - Mr Johns, the Plymouth Coroner, returned a verdict of "Natural Causes" at an Inquest held this morning on JOSEPH TREDREE, 67 years of age, a naval pensioner, who lived at 46 High-street, Stonehouse, and who died yesterday from fatty degeneration of the heart.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 9 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - "Natural Causes" was the verdict returned by Mr Johns, Coroner, on CHARLES KNOWLES, 68 years of age, a general labourer of 14 Summerland-place, who was found dead in his bed on Sunday morning last It transpired that death was due to old established heart disease.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 9 January 1923
PLYMPTON - A Plympton Tragedy. Dying Man's Grim Toast. Dramatic Story. Inquest Adjourned This Afternoon. - The County Coroner, Mr H. A. C. Johnstone, held an Inquest today on JAMES GREEN, 47, a blacksmith of Priory Cottages, Plympton, whose death occurred at his home on Saturday night. - The wife, who identified the body, said her husband was an Army pensioner and had been in receipt of a pension of 26s. 1d. per week since April 1919. There were two children. - He had been out of work and this fact caused him to be depressed, and he would frequently say that he would put himself out of sight. On Saturday Morning he said he "wished he was out of it." Witness said she took little notice of these expressions. - Took Some Peppermint. - On the evening in question (Saturday last) she was in the kitchen with her husband about 9.30 when he complained of feeling cold. She then asked him to take some peppermint she was about to take herself. - He assented, saying "That is the stuff." - She gave it to him in a tumbler, pouring it out herself. He was reading a newspaper, and she could not see his face all the time. - He took a sip from the tumbler and put it back on the table, afterwards taking up his paper again. She noticed that he was fumbling in his pocket, as though trying to get out his handkerchief, but she did not see him drop anything in his glass. - Good-bye: Here's Fun!" - Shortly afterwards he laid his paper down and, raising the glass, looked towards his wife, saying: "Good-bye. Here's Fun!" - He also said that the drink tasted like physic, and pushed the glass towards her across the table. - Later he appeared to be in agonies of pain. He groaned and had difficulty in speaking. - She made him a cup of coffee, but this he could only sip. - In answer to the Coroner, she said she threw the peppermint down the sink. - The Coroner asked witness if there was any particular reason for this and she replied that there was no particular reason. - It was then about 9.45 p.m., and the Coroner remarked upon the lapse of time between the time her husband was taken ill and the time she called Mr Packer, a resident in the house. - The Coroner: Of course you realised that something serious was the matter? - I thought something was wrong with his heart. - Dislike For Doctors. - Asked by the Coroner if she sent for a doctor, witness replied that she did not do so because he had a dislike for doctors. She said further that she did not want to alarm Mr Packer. - Purchase Of Poison. - In further evidence witness said that in September last she bought some poison, at the request of deceased, from a local chemist. Her purchase included cyanide of potassium (about six pennyworth), some borax, and salts of lemon or spirits of salts. - She could not say whether her husband had used it all. - When she went to call Mr Packer she told him not to be alarmed at the noise her husband was making, as he used to make peculiar noises during his heart attacks. - Found He Was Dead. - Prior to his going upstairs and while he was on the floor, he said, "!I am dying, my little wife" twice and she replied, "Don't be silly, pull yourself together." She then got him upstairs and placed him on the bed with his clothes on. About 12.10 he seemed to be in a sort of fit so she shook him and said, "Don't make such a noise, you will wake everyone in the house." No answer was given. He appeared to drop off to sleep and appeared to be much easier. She went to sleep herself and about 1.45 woke up and found him dead. She then sent for Mr Packer, asking him to come in as she thought "JIM had gone." She identified a note as in the handwriting of her husband. - Evidence was also given by Frank Packer. He said that MRS GREEN came to him and said, "Don't be alarmed. My husband is not well. Nothing to worry about." He heard groaning and the man went to bed about 11.30. He seemed to have difficulty in getting upstairs, making a noise as if vomiting. Witness saw the deceased at about 9 p.m. on Saturday and he then seemed to be all right. - Medical Evidence. - Dr W. D. Stamp, of Plympton, also gave evidence. He had taken the whole of the stomach away, and, not being satisfied, he was asking that the stomach and its contents should be sent away for analysis. He did not think the man could have lived so long if his heart was so bad as suggested. He found the heart dilated, probably due to his work as a blacksmith. The condition of the blood suggested cyanide of potassium had been taken, either in powder form or tablets. - The Inquiry was adjourned sine die to await the result of the analysis.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 11 January 1923
PLYMPTON - The Plympton Mystery. Solved By Expert Examination. No Poison. Verdict of Natural Causes. - The suspicion that the death of JAMES GREEN, a Plympton blacksmith, had occurred under unusual circumstances on Saturday night, might have been due to poisoning, was found to be without foundation at the resumption of the Inquest at Underwood, Plympton, this morning, medical testimony showing that death was due to Natural Causes and a verdict to that effect being returned. - When the Inquiry was resumed, the County Coroner, Mr A. K. C. Johnson, recalled the widow and questioned her concerning evidence she had given at the opening of the Inquest and to which she adhered. Witness stated that her husband had tea about 6 p.m., having bread, a currant cake, possibly jam, and tea, and potatoes or beans. He had been away from home during the day, she said, in answer to a question. - State Of The Stomach. - Mr E. Wortley, pathologist at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, described examining the stomach of deceased, which bore no traces of any inflammation such as would have been set up by corrosive poison. - It was a bit dilated and full of food, consisting of large pieces of potato, some of which were as big as walnuts and were undigested, currants and one or two haricot beans, he said. "It was a very large quantity of food altogether." - The Coroner: As a result of your tests, did you find any traces of poison at all? - Witness: No. The membranes were perfectly healthy and there was no evidence of any corrosive poison. - He then, the doctor added, had a further examination of the body, and had come to the conclusion that deceased's death was due to acute dilation of the stomach, which had caused pressure on the heart. This would produce acute pain and symptoms consistent with those described by the widow. - The Coroner's Comments. - The Coroner observed that, having regard to the widow's evidence, it was just as well that the deceased's stomach had been analysed, for at the first hearing there was very serious suspicion that the man had either taken poison himself or that in some way poison had got into his system. The whole story by the widow appeared to give grounds for that belief, and he could not help saying that the excuse given for not sending for the doctor - that the man disliked doctors, was a very foolish one. If a doctor had been sent for at the time, all that troublesome business might have been avoided, but it was satisfactory to know that it had been established that the man did not die from poisoning but from natural causes. - "Send For The Doctor." "It is an extraordinary case all through," he added, "but we have got to the bottom of it now, and I do hope that the public take notice that in cases of acute illness like this it is almost essential that they should send for medical assistance. If a doctor had been sent for in this case, an Inquest might have been avoided, even if the man's life could not have been saved." - The Jury endorsed the Coroner's remarks, and returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence. 

Western Evening Herald, Friday 12 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, recorded a verdict of "Natural Causes" at the Inquest this morning on ANNIE ELIZABETH BLOWEY, 52, wife of JOHN RICHARD KEENE BLOWEY, compass adjuster and optician of 28 St James-place. Deceased died suddenly on Wednesday from haemorrhage. 

Western Morning News, Saturday 13 January 1923
EAST STONEHOUSE - Doing A Good Turn. Fatal Accident In The Indus At Devonport. - In returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" at the Inquest on RICHARD HENRY CHAPMAN, stoker petty officer, R.N., at the Naval Hospital yesterday, the Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, observed that deceased met his death through trying to do someone a good turn. - The accident occurred on board the Indus artizans' workshop at Devonport on January 2, William George Stone, engine-room artificer, 21 Stoke-terrace, stating that to allow somebody to pass by deceased attempted to move a milling machine which was standing on a truck at the bottom of the gangway in such a position that it was impossible to pass between it and the bulkhead. One end of the machine fell into the hollow of the truck. CHAPMAN endeavoured to replace the machine on the truck, but it fell towards the bulkhead and crushed his head. In the opinion of witness it was purely an accident. Corroborative evidence was given by another eye-witness. Deceased was 37 years of age. - Surg.-Com. T. B. Shaw said that when admitted to Hospital deceased was suffering from severe injuries to the head. The case was hopeless from the first, as there was a fracture extending across the base of the skull. This caused meningitis, which was the cause of death about midday on Wednesday. - Mr K. Eyton-Peck watched the case on behalf of the Admiralty.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 16 January 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Girl's Sad Death. Fatal Sequel To A Fall In Devonport. - The Inquest on FLORENCE RITA WILLIAMS, aged 12, of 104a Pembroke-street, Devonport, who died after a fall in James-street while at play with other boys and girls on Thursday evening, was held before the Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, and a Jury, yesterday. - Several of the children who were with the deceased girl described what occurred. - Janie Blatchford, age 9, said she was with deceased looking in the shop windows and later two boys joined them. - It appeared from the evidence of Arthur George Ernest Wilson, age 14 and William Alexander James Talbot, age 14, that deceased had been calling Talbot "Cockles" and other names and he had caught hold of her wrist. She cried out to him to let her go, and began to struggle. He let her go, and she reeled and fell and knocked her head against the wall. The children then assisted to carry her into a shop, after asking a man to help them and who refused. - The mother of the child, MRS WELLINGTON, whose second husband is WALTER HENRY WELLINGTON, Marine pensioner, said her daughter had always enjoyed splendid health. On Thursday evening she was called and found her daughter lying unconscious on the floor of the shop. - Dr H. G. Vellacott said deceased's skull was thinner than was usually the case, but there were no external signs of injury. In his opinion the cause of death was concussion of the brain, due to a fall. He added that if the skull had been of normal thickness quite possibly death would not have resulted. - The Coroner said he was convinced that no act of violence had taken place. He remarked that deceased was a big girl for her age, while Talbot was fairly small, so that she would have had no difficulty in getting free by herself. - Without retiring the Jury returned a verdict that "Death was due to concussion of the brain, caused by deceased Accidentally and by Misadventure falling and striking her head."

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 16 January 1923
EGG BUCKLAND - Determined Suicide. An Egg Buckland Tragedy. Naval Pensioner. - Saying that she had a slight recollection of her husband rising and going downstairs on Monday morning, CAROLINE ELIZABETH LAMERICK told a sad tale to the County Coroner, Mr A. K. G. Johnstone, at an Inquest held on her husband, JAMES THOMAS LAMERICK, of 3 Bloomhall-cottages, Egg Buckland, at Bloomhall Farm, Egg Buckland, this morning. - A Naval Pensioner. - The widow, who was much affected and gave her evidence with difficulty, said that her husband, who was 50 years of age and a naval pensioner, was in employment as a labourer at Efford Convent. - On Monday morning she remembered that he rose at his usual time and went downstairs. - Alarm And Search. - As he did not bring up her usual morning cup of tea, she went downstairs, when she found that he had left the house, although his boots were left behind. Becoming alarmed, she informed her neighbours. - A search ensued, and the body of her husband was found about 12.45 the same day by Richard Rowe Frost, in a field known as Quarry Field. - His throat was cut from ear to ear, and in his right hand he still gripped a blood-stained razor. - The widow knew of no reason why he should take his own life, but said he had complained of feeling unwell. - WILLIAM LAMERICK, a brother of the deceased, said that since his demobilization his brother had been very much changed. He had, however, never threatened to take his life. - The Doctor's Evidence. - Dr Thomas Olver, Crownhill, who was called, said the wound in the throat, which was self-inflicted, was so deep that it penetrated almost to the spine. He added in his evidence that in his experience he had found that demobilized men were sometimes affected in mind, and subject to impulse. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity." - The Coroner expressed sympathy with the widow and relatives.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 16 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - Caught In Machinery. Shocking Accident At Cremyll Shipyard. - A fatal accident which occurred at Messrs. Rogers' shipbuilding yard, Cremyll, on January 8 last, was investigated by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest held at the Homeopathic Hospital yesterday on WILLIAM JOHN BARKER, aged 24 of 8 Wyndham-street East. - Deceased's brother-in-law, MR F. C. WATT, a house decorator, of Cecil-street, said that deceased was a shipside caulker in the yard. - An engine-driver, Mr h. E. Eustace, of 14 St Andrew's-street, Millbrook, said that on the 8th inst., he mended a belt for deceased, who worked at pneumatic machinery driven by belting from the main shaft. He warned deceased not to go near the shaft. Later he heard knocking on the roof of the engine-room, and rushing up found deceased entangled in the shafting. He stopped the engine and extricated deceased, who said, "Oh, my God, what have I done!" Deceased had no right to be near the shafting or to fix belts. - Medical evidence showed that deceased was suffering from extensive injuries to both legs, which were amputated below the knee, while he also had a fractured skull and other injuries. The case was hopeless from the first. He died at about midnight on Thursday. - Mr E. G. Beer, engineer, foreman of the shop in which the accident occurred, said a notice was fixed up warning employees not to venture near the shaft. Deceased had no right to fix the belt. - In reply to a question from the Inspector of Factories, Mr Harding, witness said that apprentices were not warned when they joined the firm. - Mr Elliot Square, who represented the firm, promised that this should be done in future. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - Mr A. H. Snell, of Messrs. Rogers and Co., expressed sympathy with the relatives of deceased, and extended thanks to the doctors, matron and nurses for "the splendid way in which they attended to the case."

Western Morning News, Wednesday 17 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Woman's Death From Blood-Poisoning. - Blood poisoning, following a prick of the finger by a pin, was given as the cause of death by Dr E. A. Travers Stubbs at an Inquest held by Mr R. B. Johns yesterday on EVA HOWE, 58, who died at the Homeopathic and General Hospital. - HENRY JAMES HOWE said the deceased, his mother, had been washing the floor of a picture house on the 5th inst., and had accidentally pricked her finger with a pin. It began to be painful on the Sunday, and on the following Sunday, the 14th inst., Dr Stubbs ordered her removal to the Hospital. Dr Stubbs added that he had been treating deceased for Bright's Disease for some years, and that death was partly due to her low condition following her illness. Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 17 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by Mr R. B. Johns on FERNLEY SEPTIMUS PARKHOUSE, aged 41, tramway labourer, who died suddenly yesterday after complaining that he felt as though he were choking. Dr W. P. A. Hardwicke said death was due to heart failure caused by congestion of the lungs and commencing pneumonia.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 26 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was recorded by Mr R. B. Johns, Plymouth Coroner, at the Inquest this morning on the body of the 30-hours-old baby of G. LIONEL SHAW, a Dockyard labourer, of Gilwell-cottages, Plymouth, which died at a nursing home before medical aid could be procured.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 30 January 1923
PLYMOUTH - "Death from Natural Causes" was the verdict returned this morning by Mr R. B. Johns, Plymouth Coroner, on the body of MRS MARGARET EDWARDS, late of 66 Elm-road, Plymouth. - MRS MABEL K. DAWE, daughter of deceased, gave evidence of identification, and said that her mother had been in failing health for some time. She collapsed suddenly on Saturday last and was found dead in her room. - Dr F. Price said death was due to pneumonia.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 1 February 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Fermenting Dough. Strange Tragedy On A Warship. Inquest At Devonport. - "Asphyxiation, due to carbonic acid gas, arising from fermenting dough, whilst apparently asleep in the bakery," was given as the cause of death in the verdict returned by Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, at an Inquest at the Dockyard, this morning on CHARLES WILLIAM WOOD, a cook in the Royal Navy, serving on board H.M.S. Constance, who was found dead in the ship's bakery on Wednesday morning. - Petty-officer-Cook William Olver, who is in charge of the bakery, said they were baking on the Tuesday night for the first time in that ship's bakery. They put in the bread in three batches at 6.30, 7.30 and 10.30 p.m. Witness then turned in, in his hammock, which was slung in the bakery, asking deceased to call him at 3.30 a.m. - The Portholes Closed. - In answer to a question from the Coroner, witness said it was customary to lay in the bread at night and bake in the early hours of the morning, when the yeast had risen. The doors and portholes were always closed when baking, in order to keep a constant temperature. Witness said it was not usual to sleep in the bakery. - When he woke up about 7 a.m. he felt very faint and dizzy and saw deceased lying on one of the bins. He could not rouse him and immediately went for help. Deceased had not called him at 3.30 as arranged. - Evidence was given by Walter Ainsworth Stevens, leading cook, of H.M.S. Constance, who said deceased came into the lighter lying alongside the ship, to call him at 3.30 on Wednesday morning. He seemed quite normal and wide awake. - S. G. Osborn, sick berth attendant, and A. Geddes, gave evidence of going to the bakery on being called by Olver. Deceased was lying on a bin in an unnatural position. Osborn said that as soon as he saw deceased he thought he was dead. - Medical Opinion. - Surgeon-Commander H. M. Braithwaite, of H.M.S. Valiant, who conducted a post-mortem, said he was summoned to the Constance about 8 a.m. on Wednesday, where he found WOOD unconscious. He carried on artificial respiration for nearly an hour without any result. Witness said he found no injury on the body, the organs were all sound, and there was no sign of disease either in the body or the brain. He could only surmise the cause of death, and in his opinion it was due to asphyxiation, caused by carbonic acid gas arising from the fermenting dough in the bin. - The Coroner pointed out that it was most inexplicable that though deceased called the witness Stevens, who was sleeping in a lighter alongside the Constance, which necessitated his walking some distance along the deck, yet he did not call Olver, who was sleeping quite close to him in the bakery. The Coroner further said they had no evidence to show that death overcame him whilst asleep, but he assumed that he must have lay down for another nap when he returned from calling Stevens. - In the evidence of FREDERICK JOHN WOOD, of 11 Goosewell-cottages, Plymstock, the father of deceased, it was found that while deceased's real name was WOOD, it had been entered in the Service records as WOODS, by which name he had always been known to his mates.

Western Morning News, Saturday 3 February 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Traffic Dangers. Comments At Inquest On St Budeaux Child. - The increasing number of accidents to children in Plymouth is giving cause for alarm. The traffic danger is a growing menace in many parts of the borough and it was considered by Mr J. A. Pearce, Devonport Coroner, that some very decisive steps should be taken by the authorities. In the course of an Inquest held at Ker-street Police Station yesterday on MOLLY PIKE, a 3 ½-years-old St Budeaux child, it transpired that 35 minutes elapsed from the occurrence of the fatal accident to the arrival of a Police-constable. The tragedy occurred shortly after four o'clock on Thursday afternoon, when the victim of the accident ran in front of a heavy motor lorry and was run over. - "The Saltash-road is one of the busiest thoroughfares in the district," said Dr R. J. P. Thomas, in the course of his evidence, "and undoubtedly the most dangerous. Every day of my life I see children escaping death by a hairbreadth. There ought to be some official supervision, especially in the vicinity of the schools." Dr Thomas referred to the large hoarding which was erected some three months ago by the London and South-Western Railway Co. "This hoarding is a public danger," said he, "as it precludes a clear view of the road." - The Coroner thanked Dr Thomas for drawing his attention to the matter, and declared that he would write to the railway company himself, urging that the hoarding might be removed. He would also ask that the authorities should make some provision for protecting the hundreds of children who used the thoroughfare daily. - MRS ROSINA PIKE, wife of ALFRED WILLIAM PIKE, seaman P.O., H.M.S. Caradoc, now at Malta, who resides at 17 Coldrennick-street, St Budeaux, gave evidence of identification. The child, she said, usually returned from school in company with another girl, eight years old, but on this occasion she was alone. MRS PIKE was at Saltash when the accident occurred, and heard the news on her return. She expressed herself perfectly confident that the tragedy was purely accidental. - The driver of the motor lorry, Chas. Rupert Barter, 22 Whitleigh-terrace, Crownhill, volunteered evidence, and said he was in the employ of Messrs. Ash and Son, brewers, of Devonport. He had been to Saltash Passage on Thursday afternoon delivering goods, and was on his way home when the accident occurred. Just as he reached the bridge he saw numerous children on both sides of the road. The deceased child was on the right-hand side, where there was a footpath. She suddenly dashed in front of the vehicle, and was run over. Witness pulled up within 5 feet, but it was too late. His assistant extricated the body and together they took it to the house of Dr Thomas. Witness had been a driver for 12 years, and had never before had an accident. He sounded his hooter three times before turning the corner and was travelling at not more than four miles per hour. - Corroborative evidence was given by Mrs Rose Tozer of 8 Morice Park-terrace, Devonport, and Ernest Farley, drayman, of 44 Monument-street, Devonport. Farley, who was accompanying Barter on his rounds, supported the evidence of the driver, and said that after the lorry had stopped he picked the child up in his arms and carried it to Dr Thomas's house where it died. - Dr Thomas said that death was due to cerebral haemorrhage following fracture of base of skull. The child must have been struck by the mudguard whilst attempting to cross the road. - The Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with this evidence, at the same time exonerating Barter completely. The accident was one which could not possibly have been averted and he complimented both Farley and Barter - who was described by Mr Ackford as "the most careful driver in the Three Towns" - for their prompt action. He also extended his sympathy to the bereaved mother. [Western Morning News, Thursday 8 February 1923 - The child MOLLY PIKE, killed by a motor vehicle at St Budeaux last Thursday, in the report of the Inquest was stated to have been alone at the time of the accident. This, we are informed, is incorrect, the child being accompanied by a girl eight years old and other girls.]

Western Morning News, Monday 5 February 1923
EGG BUCKLAND - Fatal Delusion. Income-Tax Worry Leads To Plymouth Man's Suicide. - A verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane" was returned by a Jury at the Inquest at Efford Camp on Saturday on WILLIAM J. S. COLE, aged 59, of Lower Knollys-terrace, Plymouth, whose body was discovered by a Boy Scout near the Cemetery at Eggbuckland on Thursday. - It was stated that deceased had been obsessed with the idea that he owed the Government money in respect of Income-tax, but the truth was that rebate of some £27 was due to him. - Chas. Roskelly, 17 Derry-avenue, Plymouth, who had known deceased, a retired wine and spirit manager, of Chapel Vaults, Devonport, for some 15 years, said some seven years ago deceased had a grievance about Income-tax, which affected his mind, and as a result he suffered a serious illness. - Mr W. H. Maddock, 6 Molesworth-terrace, Plymouth, solicitors' clerk, employed by Messrs. Gidley and Wilcocks, solicitors, Plymouth, stated that he had attended to MR COLE'S business affairs. In February 1917, MR COLE was under the impression that he was a debtor to the Government, but instead there was a sum due on account of Income-tax rebate of some £27. Witness held the opinion that deceased was mentally deranged. When he called at the solicitors' office on January 26 his manner was so strange that witness remarked to his principal that "COLE was likely to be in an Asylum within a month." - John Lampen, of Western College-road, Mannamead, stated that on Thursday he was out with a party of Boy Scouts and saw the body of a man in a shed in a wood near the Cemetery. He thought at first that the man was asleep. When the troop came up he reported it to the Scoutmaster. With another Scout, he went to Plympton and fetched the Police. - P.C. B. Watts, of Crabtree, said in a field near the Plymouth Corporation Cemetery he saw deceased in a sitting position, with his back against the wall. In his right hand he held a razor, the point of which was broken off. Deceased had a large wound, which had severed both arteries and windpipe and was dead. On the body he found Treasury notes to the value of £49 10s. 7 ½d., in silver and coppers and postal orders to the value of 38s. - The Coroner observed that the man appeared to be under the impression that he was liable to arrest for defrauding the Revenue in his Income-tax returns, instead of which a sum was due to him. - The Boy Scouts were commended and the Police praised for their promptitude in getting to the scene. - On behalf of the Police, P.S. Lynn thanked the Scouts of Mount House School.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 6 February 1923
TAMERTON FOLIOT - CAROLINE LAVERS, aged 57, was found dead in bed at her home, Whitehall Cottage, Tamerton Foliot, on Sunday. It was stated at the Inquest yesterday that death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 6 February 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - At the Inquest yesterday on MRS J. BODY, 13 Onslow-road, Devonport, who was found dead in bed by her 15-year-old boy on Friday morning, Dr Vosper stated that death was due to haemorrhage of the lungs. A verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 8 February 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at an Inquest held by Mr J. A. Pearce, the Devonport Coroner, today on MRS MARY ALLEN, of 5 Adelaide-street, Ford, who died on Tuesday. It was stated that deceased was quite cheerful early in the day, but later complained of pains in the head. Dr Eric Wordley, pathologist to the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, who conducted a post-mortem examination, diagnosed the cause of death as rupture of an aneurism.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 13 February 1923
PLYMOUTH - Ivybridge Fatality. Naval Stoker Killed After Being "Paid Off." - Mr John Graves, Deputy Coroner for Plymouth, returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" yesterday at the Inquest on WILLIAM HENRY BARTLETT, naval stoker, aged 26, of Kingsbridge, who died at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital from injuries sustained at Ivybridge Railway Station last Friday after being paid off from H.M.S. King George V., at Devonport, on return from the Mediterranean. - Mr H. Ford, postman, 35 Weston-road, Ivybridge, who was an eye-witness of the accident, said deceased got out of a train which arrived at 2.57 p.m., and entered the gentlemen's lavatory at the higher end of the Station. Coming out just as the train started moving, he ran towards the train and jumped at a carriage. Deceased succeeded in catching hold of the fixed handle, but fell on the barrow crossing, the wheels passing over his arm. - Dr Maxwell Hall, House Surgeon, said deceased died soon after being admitted to Hospital on Friday from shock due to terrible injuries. - Mr K. Eyton Peck represented the Admiralty and Inspector Henwood, the Great Western Railway Company.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 15 February 1923
PLYMPTON - Had Seen Better Days. Young Man's Suicide At Plympton. A Sad Story. - A tragic story of a one-time Harrow scholar and agricultural college student, who by force of circumstances had tramped from Orpington, Kent, to Plymouth in search of employment, was related at an Inquest held at the Haye Farm, Plympton, today on the body of FREDERICK CHARLES W. JOHNSON, 20 years of age, who was employed at Haye Farm, and who was discovered dead on Wednesday morning, with a revolver in his hand and a bullet wound in his forehead. - Mr J. W. Holland, Police court missionary and probation officer at the Plymouth Court, identified the body, and said he first came into touch with the deceased at the Police Station at Plymouth on November 22 last. He was in a destitute condition and had tramped all the way from Orpington. Witness, who had taken a keen personal interest in the youth, was instrumental in finding situations for him at Didworthy and elsewhere, prior to finding him work at Haye Farm, to which place deceased came on December 11 last. He had seen JOHNSON several times at his house in Plymouth. - Had Seen Better Times. - Questioned by the Coroner, Mr Johnstone, as to whether he could give an opinion as to deceased's state of mind, Mr Holland said that before his 20th birthday JOHNSON was very depressed and said he would not again undergo a similar experience of tramping the roads as he had already undergone. Deceased had been a public school boy and for two years in an agricultural college. It was obvious that he had seen better times, but he had come down in the world. - Mr Holland added that JOHNSON always spoke highly of the kindness of Mr and Mrs Jago and of his treatment at Haye Farm. - Mr Richard Norman Jago, yeoman farmer, of Haye Farm, said that deceased was employed as an outdoor farm labourer, but he did not get on very well with the other employees. He lived in the house as a member of the family. Deceased used to relate incidents of his life, and told them that he had tramped from Orpington. Witness was in the house on the night of the tragedy. He heard no shot and did not know of deceased making any threat to take his life. On Tuesday evening he went to bed before JOHNSON. - The Coroner asked whether there was any question of JOHNSON leaving his employment. - Witness said that JOHNSON understood that the employment was only of a temporary nature. Witness went into the room on Wednesday morning with a cup of tea at 8.30 and found him dead and he immediately telephoned for the Police. Witness added that JOHNSON was always given to understand that he was not to clear out until he had found some other employment. - Heard No Sound. - Kitty Barron, domestic servant at Haye Farm, said that she slept with another girl in the next bedroom to deceased. She went to bed on Tuesday night before Johnson. She heard no noise during the night and no report of a gun. She was a sound sleeper. - P.C. Wills said that in consequence of a message received at 8.45 a.m. on Wednesday from Mr Jago, jun., he visited Haye Farm and found deceased lying on his right side holding a revolver, the butt of which was clasped in his left hand and the muzzle in his right. There was a bullet-wound in the forehead above the left eye. The revolver contained three cartridges, one spent and two alive. On the table were found two letters, one addressed to Mrs Jago. - Deceased's Letter. - The Coroner read this letter, which was as follows:- "Dear Mrs Jago, - Please forgive me for the step I have taken. Though I was to have left tomorrow I have no money and nowhere to go. I have taken this step after serious consideration and not on the impulse of the moment, as I cannot undergo the hardships I went through previous to coming to you. I thank you from my heart for the kindness and consideration you have shown me since I came here. I should esteem it a favour if you will write a line to my mother breaking the news gently. Again asking your forgiveness, - Yours sincerely," - The letter to his mother was left unopened at the Coroner's desire. - In reply to an inquiry from the Foreman, Mr Abbott, P.C. Wills said that JOHNSON was quite dead when found. - In commenting on the sadness of the case, the Coroner mentioned that deceased had been educated at Harrow. He was taken in by Mr Jago and was received and lived as a member of the family, and although the employment was only temporary there was no question of his being turned out. - The Jury, without retiring, returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind."

Western Morning News, Saturday 17 February 1923
PLYMOUTH - MR ALFRED CHARLES BROWN, 76 Greenbank-avenue, Plymouth, who died suddenly on Thursday, was well known as a master printer and stationer. He was 49 years of age, and leaves a widow and five children. At the Inquest yesterday it was stated that death was due to heart failure.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 20 February 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by Mr R. B. Johns, the Plymouth Coroner, at an Inquest on the 27 days' old son of MRS DOROTHY LAPIDGE, wife of a naval stoker, of 79 Clifton-place, Plymouth. It was stated that the baby was quite healthy when born, but was taken ill suddenly on Saturday morning and died before medical aid could be procured.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 21 February 1923
PLYMOUTH - Mother's Tragic End. Pathetic Story At Plymouth Inquest. - A pathetic story was told to Mr R. B. Johns, the Plymouth Coroner, at an Inquest today on MRS ANNIE MAY GARDNER, wife of GEORGE JOHN GARDNER, pensioner, of the R.M.L.I., 25 Brunswick-place, Plymouth. - It was explained by the husband that when he left the house at 10.30 a.m. on Monday his wife was in bed, and appeared to be all right. When he returned about noon he found the Constable with the body. His ten-year-old daughter had found her mother with her head in the gas oven, a towel being over the mother's head. - A Nervous Illness. - GARDNER stated that his wife had had nerve trouble, and that she came home from Exeter on Sunday night, where she had been recuperating. - Constable F. J. Sullivan spoke to finding the deceased in the room, which was full of gas. Artificial respiration was applied, but without success. - Dr A. R. Murray, 6 Brunswick-place, submitted a certificate to the effect that death was due to coal-gas poisoning. - After expressing sympathy with the relatives of the deceased, the Coroner returned a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane."

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 22 February 1923
PLYMOUTH - Imitative Suicide. Another Case Of Gas Poisoning At Plymouth. - A remarkably sad story of an invalid's suicide after being confined to her bed for 13 years was related to the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest on MRS LAURA MILL JOHN of 3 Hill Park-terrace, this morning. - The husband, MR OWEN JOHN, a naval pensioner, said he left the house at two o'clock and arrived back soon after 2.30 to find his wife had covered her head with the bed-clothes and had the end of along flexible piece of gas tubing in her mouth, with the gas turned on. The tubing had been connected with a warmer in the room. - Dr Wagner said that MRS JOHN was dead when he arrived, death being due to coal-gas poisoning. He had attended deceased, who was a chronic neurasthenic, for a number of years. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 24 February 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Wife's Suicide. Pathetic Letter To Devonport Husband. - A pathetic letter written by a Devonport woman to her husband, begging his forgiveness for what she was doing, was read by the Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, at the Inquest at Devonport yesterday on LUCY ELIZABETH BURRIDGE of 12 Paradise-place, who was found unconscious on Thursday morning on the floor of her room, which was full of gas. A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned. - CHARLES BURRIDGE, deceased's husband, said his wife had suffered from pains in her head for some years, and was often depressed, but had never threatened to take her life. - Miss G. E. Hammet, of Paradise-place, described how she found deceased, and George R. Stewart, who was called in, said a dead cat was found in the room. The keyhole and sides of the door were stuffed with newspapers. - Dr R. J. Fleming said death was due to gas poisoning.

Western Morning News, Monday 5 March 1923
PLYMOUTH - At an Inquest on MARY JANE HOSKIN, 83, of Leigh House, Lower Compton on Saturday, it was stated that on February 18 she got out of bed to open her bedroom door for her son, who was bringing her a cup of tea, when she fell and fractured her left hip joint. Dr Letchworth said death was due to senile decay, accelerated by the fall and injury. The Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 6 March 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns yesterday on the body of MRS ISABELLA CATHERINE SOPHIA BASTON, aged 76, who died on Saturday as the result of a broken thigh sustained by falling out of bed.

Western Morning News, Thursday 8 March 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Artilleryman's Suicide. - After service in Ireland, where he was shot in an ambush four months ago, JAMES ARCHIBALD STONEHOUSE, 30, R.G.A. was admitted to the Military Hospital, at Devonport, suffering from gunshot wounds in both thighs. - He was eventually discharged, but was re-admitted on February 2 with a view to an operation. While in Hospital STONEHOUSE complained that he could not sleep. He was also depressed because he imagine that he was not getting well. - On Tuesday morning he was found dead, hanging by a handkerchief from the hot-water pipe in one of the ward sculleries at the Hospital. - At the Inquest held at the Hospital yesterday the Devonport Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Western Evening Herald, Friday 9 March 1923
PLYMOUTH - Found Dead In Bed. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned at the Inquest at Plymouth today on JOHN HENRY WILKINSON, a retired licensed victualler, 74 years of age of 1 Woodland-terrace, who was found dead in bed on Wednesday afternoon. - A post-mortem revealed the cause of death to be heart disease.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 10 March 1923
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Sudden Death. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest this morning on HENRY FLETCHER of 50 Admiralty-street, Stonehouse, a discharged and disabled ex-service man, who collapsed in Phoenix-street while on his way to the Labour Exchange yesterday and died whilst being taken to the Homeopathic Hospital. - Death was attributed to heart failure and congestion of the lungs by Dr E. C. Plummer, who performed a post-mortem examination.

Western Morning News, Saturday 17 March 1923
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Man's Death. - Admitted to Plymouth Workhouse Infirmary on Thursday in a semi-delirious condition, and suffering from a slight wound in the throat, ALFRED PENGELLY, shipwright, aged 65, of Melbourne-street, died the same evening. - At an Inquest held by Mr R. B. Johns yesterday, the medical evidence showed that deceased, who had been unemployed, was suffering from acute pericarditis, which was the cause of death. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" accelerated by the wound in the throat, was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 24 March 1923
EAST STONEHOUSE - Dockyard Fatality. Inquest On Victim Of Broken Chain. The Verdict. - A fatality which occurred in the Devonport Dockyard on Wednesday afternoon was the subject of an inquiry by the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at the Royal Naval Hospital today. - The deceased was SIDNEY CHARLES TRAVERS, aged 28, a Dockyard labourer, whose widow, residing at 44 Corporation-buildings, Morice-square, Devonport, gave evidence of identification. - David Lang, 77 Charlotte-street, a chargeman of boilermakers, stated that deceased was assisting in lowering a steel smoke-box door by a chain. After about nine inches had passed through the pulley one of the links of the chain broke and resulted in the door striking the deceased on the head. He was taken on the ambulance to the Dockyard surgery and afterwards to the Naval Hospital. - Witness said that the door had been hanging on the chain for five days previous to the accident. Before it was lifted he examined the chain, and as far as he could see it was quite good. - A Pure Accident. - Stanley Palmer, labourer, 2 Gasgoyne-place, Plymouth, who was working with the deceased, described the occurrence as a pure accident. - Surgeon-=Commander K. H. Hole said that deceased was admitted to the Royal Naval Hospital on Wednesday suffering from scalp wounds, a large wound under the chin, and paralysis and anaesthesia of both legs. He was concussed but conscious. He could give no history of the accident and died the following day. - Surgeon-Commander J. Carlisle, who made a post-mortem examination, found that death was due to fractured dislocation of the spine, which he considered could have been caused by the fall of the door. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 29 March 1923
EAST STONEHOUSE - Suicide. Shocking Tragedy In Bedroom. Inquest Verdict. - A sensation was caused in the neighbourhood of Granby-place, Stonehouse, about 9.30 this morning, when a labourer, named ALBERT PORTER, aged 63, living at 5 Granby-street, died from a wound in his throat, which Dr Waterfield, Police Surgeon, who was summoned, described as the worst which he had ever encountered in the course of his experience. - At the Inquest this afternoon the deceased man's wife stated that whilst making the bed she heard him groan, and, turning round, saw him standing before a looking-glass with a table knife in his hand and blood streaming from his throat. - She shouted for assistance, Mrs Rogers of 2 Granby-place, rushing to her aid just in time to see the man fall to the floor, the knife dropping from his hand. - Dr Waterfield said deceased had a deep gash in the throat, severing the carotid artery and the windpipe. Death was due to shock, caused by the wounds. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 4 April 1923
PLYMOUTH - Fatal Sequel To Hot-Water Bottle Burst. - Through sitting on a hot-water bottle in bed and causing it to burst, GERTRUDE BANKES WOODLEY, aged 66, a spinster, living in Hill Park-crescent, Plymouth, sustained scalds, from which she died on March 31st. - The circumstances were explained to Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, this morning, when Dr C. R. Crowther, who attended deceased from March 18th, when the accident occurred, until her death, said she sustained extensive scalds on the lower part of the body, death being due to the absorption of poison from the slough of the burns. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 4 April 1923
PLYMOUTH - Heart Disease. - An Inquest was held on SARAH ANN BAILEY, aged 50, the wife of JAMES HENRY BAILEY, labourer, of 24 William-street. - The husband said that on waking yesterday morning he found his wife dead in bed beside him. She had previously suffered from fits. - "Natural Causes" was recorded, Dr W. P. A. Hardwicke stating that death was due to heart disease.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 4 April 1823
ASHBURTON - Good Friday Fatality At Ashburton. - At Ashburton yesterday Mr T. Edmunds held an Inquiry into the death of GEORGE HENRY HAMLYN, aged 13 years, who was knocked down and fatally injured by a motor car on Good Friday in East-street, Ashburton. - James Henry Foot, of East-street, said he saw the deceased run out of the court right in front of the car. The car was on the proper side of the road, proceeding slowly. It would be very difficult to see the entrance to the court until nearly opposite to it. Witness picked the boy up, the driver rendering every assistance. A motor lorry was coming down the street at the time, and possibly distracted the boy's attention. - Dr Sankey said death was caused by fracture of the base of the skull. - John William Hargreaves Stokes, ship-owner of 9 Carlisle-avenue, Plymouth, who was driving, said he was quite unable to see the boy, owing to a lorry passing at the time, between his car and the court. The boy ran from behind the lorry, with his head down, right into the front of his car. He could not possibly pull up in time to avoid the accident. He was driving at about 10 to 15 miles an hour. - The Coroner said it was obviously a pure accident, and that there was no blame attributable to anyone. He brought in a verdict accordingly. - Mr Elliot Square, of Plymouth, representing Mr Stokes, expressed his client's sorrow at the accident.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 6 April 1923
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Child's Death. Inquest Adjourned For Two Weeks. - It was found necessary to adjourn the Inquest opened at the Mortuary, Plymouth, this morning on the body of a newly-born male child. - The Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns considered that before an Inquiry could be made the mother should be given an opportunity to attend. - The mother is a married woman and it appears that, in view of circumstances surround the birth, certain difficulties may ensue. - The evidence of the one witness called, a midwife, was held over for the adjourned Inquest. - The eight Jurymen were summoned to appear at the Mortuary this day fortnight at 4 p.m.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 12 April 1923
PLYMOUTH - Fear Of Disease Leads To Suicide. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned by the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest today on WILLIAM FAY MORGAN, 73, coal merchant's clerk, of 55 Regent-street, Plymouth, who committed suicide by hanging on Tuesday. - The evidence of a fellow-employee was that at about 2 p.m. on Tuesday he heard someone shout that MORGAN was hanging. He went to the store and found deceased suspended from a beam, and on cutting him down found him dead. - EMILY MORGAN, a daughter, said her father had been suffering from indigestion and thought he had a growth. Deceased had never threatened to take his life and there was no reason for his doing so. - P.C. Holmes stated that he was called to a coal store in Sutton-road and assisted in removing the body to the Mortuary. - An examination of the body had been made by Dr D. MacNair, who was satisfied that death was due to suffocation caused by hanging.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 12 April 1923
PLYMOUTH - At an Inquest on MARY E. MITCHELL, wife of a labourer of 12 Clayton-place, Plymouth, evidence was given by Emily Brighton, a widow, who stated that deceased was 56. Witness said she was washing some clothes on Tuesday morning when she heard a scream. On going into the court she found MRS MITCHELL lying on her back. Deceased had seemed quite well previously, and had not been known to complain of illness. - DR E. E. Travers-Stubbs, who performed a post-mortem, was satisfied that death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart. The Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, returned a verdict of "Natural Causes."

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 12 April 1923
PLYMOUTH - Sudden Death. - At an inquiry by Mr R. B. Johns, the Borough Coroner, on HENRY SMITH, aged 61, retired stationer, 21 Ermington-terrace, Plymouth, Dr A. E. Blades said he was called to the Hoe and found life extinct on arrival. He had conducted a post mortem, and as a result found that death was due to aortic valvular disease and acute pericarditis. - Percival H. Taylor, 32 College-avenue, Mannamead, said that, with the exception of an attack of giddiness in 1919, deceased had never complained of his health. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 17 April 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by the Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest today on DOROTHY POOLEY, of 8 Hill-street, Plymouth, the few-hours-old daughter of CECIL DOUGLAS POOLEY, a mason, who died on Sunday.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 18 April 1923
WALKHAMPTON - Found Shot In Field At Walkhampton. - The body of JOHN DAWE, aged 45, single, son of a farmer at Dittisham Farm, Walkhampton, was found yesterday morning in a field near the farmhouse. By his side was a double-barrelled gun. - Deceased left the house early in the morning and took his gun, stating that he was going to look at some sheep. As he did not return to breakfast his father and two brothers, with whom he lived, made a search, and came across the body, which had a fatal gunshot wound in the chest. - At the Inquest last evening the Coroner returned a verdict that deceased was "Found Shot."

Western Morning News, Saturday 21 April 1923
PLYMOUTH - Motor Car Fatality. Distressing Accident To Schoolboy. - ALEXANDER REUBEN BABER, the six-year-old son of ALEXANDER BABER, cab proprietor, of 3 Bounds-place, was run over by a motor car qt West Hoe, Plymouth, yesterday morning whilst on his way to St James-the-Less School. The distressing nature of the accident was accentuated by the fact that the boy's father was on the spot just afterwards, and wished to see the injured boy, but permission for him to lift the blanket on the stretcher was declined. - At the Inquest held by Mr R. B. Johns, the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death". - Joseph Butland, 9 Seymour Park-villas, said that t about 8.40 he was driving his car in West Hoe-road, and saw the boy run across the road. The lad had no earthly chance. "I put on my brakes immediately, and pulled up in the length of the car," said Mr Butland. He was driving at between six and seven miles an hour to slow up on account of the corner. There was nothing on the road to prevent him seeing the boy, but he believed there was a post where the little boy was, and he thought that was really the cause of the accident. "He ran into me with his head down. In fact, he was not looking where he was going," said Mr Butland. - Wished He Was On Wrong Side. - Answering Mr Eric Ward, who appeared for him, witness stated that he kept well into the side. He wished now that he had been on the wrong side, and he would not have run into the poor little fellow. - MR BABER said he was quite satisfied with Mr Butland's statement. - Thomas Roy Bernard, chauffeur, who was in the car with Mr Butland, said the collision with the boy was purely accidental. - MR BABER said that before knowing it was his own son who was killed, witness told him it was a pure accident. - Joseph Edward Freeman, dock labourer, who gave the speed of the car as between five and six miles per hour, also considered the fatality was accidental. - Dr H. H. Parsloe said death was due to fracture of the skull.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 23 April 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Naval Pensioner's Death. Man With Heart Twice Normal Size. - "Death was due to Heart Disease, the weight of the heart being nearly double that of an ordinary person's," was the verdict of the Devonport Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, at an Inquest this morning at Devonport Dockyard, on THOMAS HENRY LUXTON, aged 47, a naval pensioner, of 4 Littleton-terrace, Torpoint. - ELLEN LUXTON, the wife, gave evidence of identification and stated that her husband was employed as a driver on a steam pinnace at H.M. Dockyard, Devonport. - Edward March, 16 St Stephens-street, Devonport, naval pensioner, and a stoker on the same pinnace, said that on Saturday last deceased told him he had a pain in his chest. Later in the day, when he went with the coxswain to the forecastle, he found deceased seated on a locker and apparently dead. - Surgeon M. J. Laffan, of H.M.S. Woolwich, said deceased was very corpulent, all the organs were loaded with fat and the heart weighed 17 ozs. , which was very nearly double the weight of the heart of a normal person.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 23 April 1823
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Sudden Death. Sequel To Easter Collapse In The Street. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, recorded a verdict of "Natural Causes" at an Inquest this afternoon on WILLIAM JOHN NORTHCOTT, 52, a Corporation labourer, who died suddenly at 4 Wyndham-street West, Plymouth, on Saturday. - Deceased's son, PERCIVAL JOHN NORTHCOTT, hairdresser, said his father complained of feeling unwell about one o'clock and whilst witness was away getting him some brandy he expired. He had fainted in the street on Easter Sunday, sustaining a nasty fall, and since then had complained occasionally although he would not see a doctor. - Dr Aikman attributed death to heart failure.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 25 April 1923
TORQUAY - Plymouth Printer's Sad Death. - FREDERICK BOND, a Plymouth man, and chief machine hand at a Torquay printing works, who threw himself in front of a train at Torre Station on April 15, succumbed to his injuries in the Torbay Hospital on Monday. He was aged about 58. - At the Inquest, Mr F. E. Northey, chief overseer at deceased's place of employment, said the man lost his only daughter about a year ago, and it preyed on his mind. He was esteemed as a good workman. - The Coroner, Mr T. Edmonds, returned a verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 1 May 1923
PLYMOUTH - Ivybridge Motor Cyclist's Last "Good Night." - Found lying unconscious near his motor bicycle on the road some way from Ivybridge on Tuesday last, WILLIAM VOISEY STEVENS, licensee of the Julian Arms Inn, Cadleigh Park, Ivybridge, died on Saturday at the South Devon Hospital. - At the Inquest by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, yesterday, P.C. Tremlett, Ivybridge, said deceased passed him on Tuesday night about 10.30 and called out "Good night." About 20 minutes later witness was called to the scene of the accident. He was of opinion deceased had side-slipped. - A doctor at the Hospital said death was due to fracture of the base of the skull and a verdict was returned accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 1 May 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest this morning on MISS MARY HARVEY, aged 80, of 43 Morley-place, Plymouth, who died yesterday after falling out of bed. Dr Blades, who performed a post-mortem examination, said that death was caused by syncope due to senile decay.

Western Morning News, Friday 4 May 1923
TORQUAY - Fall From Wagon. Torquay Fishmonger's Sad Death. - Mr J. Edmonds, Deputy County Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest at Torquay on SIDNEY LEOPOLD RAYMONT, fishmonger, of Melville-place, Torquay, who received fatal injuries in Abbey-road on Wednesday through falling from his wagon. - Dr Henry Dillon Lawson, House Surgeon at Torbay Hospital, said the deceased was suffering from a fractured skull and haemorrhage on the brain, and were the cause of death. - Albert Lane, Melville-hill, Torquay, deceased's assistant, said he tried to mount the wagon from behind, and when in the act of climbing on to the vehicle saw that deceased had fallen into the road and the pony was running towards the main street. RAYMONT had been sitting on a box in the front of the wagon. - John Dist, another fishmonger, Melville-place, Torquay, deceased's partner, stated that his was the leading trap. Hearing a sound of a fall he turned round and saw RAYMONT on the ground and the pony trotting down the hill. Witness went back and found him unconscious. On Tuesday night deceased said that he had pains in his head and felt giddy. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Deputy Coroner remarking that deceased might have had an attack of giddiness.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 7 May 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - "Death from Natural Causes" was the verdict returned this morning by the Devonport Deputy Coroner, Mr A. Gard, at an Inquest held on MRS ELIZABETH JANE STUART, 66, late of 9 Corry-street, Devonport.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 8 May 1923
PLYMOUTH - Driver Exonerated. Plymouth Motor Car Fatality Inquest. Variable Evidence. - Returning a verdict of "Accidental Death," the Coroner's Jury yesterday attached no blame to the driver of the motor car which ran over and killed WILLIAM HENRY CROSS, aged 8, of 24 Frederick-street, in Union-street, Plymouth, on April 28. - Pte. George Rossiter, R.A.S.C., said he was driving a car in which there were two passengers, and when he was near the railway arch several boys, led by deceased, ran across the road in front of the car. He jammed on the brakes, but the offside mudguard struck CROSS on the shoulder. Witness, who estimated his speed at about 10 miles per hour, said he drew up in about half the length of the car. The accident was unavoidable. Witness suggested that as there were two picture palaces, one on each side of the road, the boys were anxious to see the placards on the opposite side. - Mr H. Pengelly, who witnessed the fatality, said in his opinion it was a pure accident. No part of the car was on the pavement. - Privates J. J. Johnson and William Hare said the boys ran across the road from the left-hand side in front of the car without any warning. - Lydia Ezekiel said she was sitting on her cart at the corner of Station-road and saw the car coming down Union-street on its wrong side, although there was little traffic about. The speed was very fast. She did not see the boy in the road. - Miss A. M. E. Swansford saw the boy picked up in the middle of the road when the car was at a standstill. It was not on the pavement. - Mother's Evidence. - MRS MATILDA CROSS, the mother, said the boy left home to "queue up" for the pictures. The driver came to her next day, and in answer to her inquiry said the mudguard struck the boy on the back of the head and he had to drive into the kerb, where the child was standing, to avoid another car. - Dr Edgar Curnow said that when he examined the boy on 28th ult he was in a state of extreme terror, but not unconscious. The injuries he saw were slight bruises on the arms and legs, but he could find nothing on the head. On the following day deceased developed symptoms of concussion of the brain, which was the cause of death. - After a retirement of a few minutes the Jury returned the verdict stated. - An officer of the R.A.S.C., on behalf of his brother officers, tendered sympathy to the parents. - Det.-Sergt. Cloke watched the case for the Police.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 11 May 1923
EAST STONEHOUSE - Ill In The Street. Grocery Manager's Death At Plymouth. - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest today on SAMUEL SPRY, aged 48, Co-operative Society manager, who died suddenly yesterday at 24 Clarence-place, East Stonehouse. - The evidence of Mrs E. Rowe, a widow, was to the effect that deceased was late in going home to his dinner, and on proceeding in search of him she found him in the street, barely able to walk. She assisted him back and helped him on to the sofa, where he expired almost immediately afterwards. - Dr T. M. Jamieson, who made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to an aortic aneurism, and a verdict of "Natural Causes" was recorded.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 18 May 1923
EAST STONEHOUSE - Hit By Capstan. Plymouth Petty Officer's Fatal Accident. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at the Inquest on WILLIAM OSWALD GAVAN, petty officer, R.N., today held at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse. - CAROLINE GAVAN, 20 Spring Gardens-terrace, Stepney, London, said she was the widow of deceased, who was only 31 years old. Last June GAVAN had been in charge of a working party in Devonport Dockyard, when he was hit on the head by a capstan or wire from a capstan. He said it was a pure accident and attached no blame to anyone. - He did not go to the Hospital at the time, but was admitted into the Naval Hospital on the 19th April. - G. D. Walsh, Surgeon-Comdr., R.N., H.M.S., Defiance, said he attended deceased soon after the accident. He was then suffering from a scalp wound in the back of the head, but was able to resume his duties. He told Dr Walsh that he tripped over a wire. - Dr A. E. Malone, Lieut.-Comdr., R.N., said he made a post mortem examination on GAVAN. He could find no fracture, but death was undoubtedly due to the accident.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 24 May 1923
EAST STONEHOUSE - Devonport Fatality. Bluejacket Cyclist's Skid At Newpassage. "Accidental Death." - A cycling fatality on Newpassage-hill, Devonport, on Monday night, which involved the death of JOSEPH THOMAS WALTERS, aged 24, able-seaman, stationed at the Royal Naval Barracks, Devonport, was Inquired into by the Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at the Royal Naval Hospital today. Mr K. Eyton Peck represented the Admiralty. - Petty Officer John Gliddon, H.M.S. Defiance, who was in charge of the naval patrol on duty between Newpassage-hill and South Keyham Gates, stated that deceased passed him on a bicycle at the top of the hill. Just afterwards he swerved, but carried on down the hill, and witness saw a crowd of people gather. He went to the spot and found deceased injured in the road. - Front Wheel Locked. - Petty Officer H. E. Richards, R.N. Barracks, said his attention was attracted by a skidding sound, and he noticed the deceased on a bicycle swerving across the road. He managed to straighten up the machine and continued down the road at a fast rate and in a zig-zag fashion for about 100 yards. Deceased then appeared to apply the brake, locking the front wheel, which turned to the left and the rear part of the bicycle shot from underneath him. He fell, slid across the road, and appeared to strike his head on the kerb. Witness thought that he lost control of the machine. - Surgeon-Lieut.-Com. A. E. Malone, stated that deceased was admitted to the Hospital about 11 p.m. on the 21st inst. suffering from a fracture of the skull and death ensued the following day. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Accidental Death."

Western Morning News, Saturday 26 May 1923
PLYMOUTH - Infanticide Charge. Jury's Verdict At Plymouth Inquest. - A verdict of "Infanticide" against the mother was returned at the resumed Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on the male child which on April 4 was found dead in a box shortly after birth with a cloth stuffed in its mouth. - The mother of the child, MRS OLIVE MAY WILLIAMS, of Clarence-street, Plymouth, who was too ill to attend the two adjourned hearings of the Inquest, was not present. She appeared at the Police Court in the morning and was remanded until Friday pending the Coroner's verdict. - Mrs Morris, certified midwife, said that on April 4 at about 9 p.m. she sent for the doctor. MRS WILLIAMS then denied that she had had a child, but later a tin box at the foot of the bed was opened and the body of a male child with a piece of cloth in its mouth was found. - Dr H. B. Palmer said the child when found was dead. A post-mortem examination revealed no sign of any proper attention. A portion of a garment was stuffed tightly into the mouth, but otherwise there was no sign of violence. In his opinion the child had had a separate existence and the cause of death was suffocation. - Dr T. McElwaine corroborated this evidence. - MRS EMMA MARTIN, MRS WILLIAMS'S sister, said MRS WILLIAMS had been married about 12 months. She was happily married, and was a healthy woman. - In reply to Mr J. L. Wolferstan, who represented MRS WILLIAMS, witness said her sister was very fond of children generally. - MRS LOUISA COLENUTT, MRS WILLIAMS'S mother, and MRS EMMA WILLIAMS, her mother-in-law, also gave evidence, and the Jury returned a verdict as stated. - The Coroner said they were greatly obliged to Inspector Hutchings for his handling of the case. He had saved them a considerable amount of trouble.

Western Morning News, Monday 28 May 1923
ASHPRINGTON - Ashprington Lady Killed By Eight-Foot Fall. - After attending to flowers at the edge of her garden on Friday, MRS HUTCHINGS, 58, of Ashprington, fell a distance of eight feet into the yard below, breaking her neck. At the Inquest a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 5 June 1923
PLYMOUTH - Fatal Accident To An Old-Age Pensioner. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by the Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, this morning at an Inquest on the body of NOAH LIGHTFOOT, 70, old age pensioner of 19 James-street, Plymouth. - Mrs Ethel Elizabeth Niddell, 19 James-street, identified the body and said that deceased had been ill for some years. On Saturday he was taken ill in the town, but was able to walk home and go upstairs. As he reached the top step, however, he collapsed and fell to the bottom of the staircase, becoming partly unconscious. - Dr Blades, 15 Portland-villas, who was sent for by the last witness, said that LIGHTFOOT died on Monday morning.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 5 June 1923
PLYMOUTH - Death After A Walk. - "Natural Causes" was the verdict returned by the Coroner on the body of WILLIAM ERNEST HARRIS, 46, Corporation labourer, of 190 Cromwell-road, Plymouth, who died suddenly on Sunday. - EDITH HARRIS, widow, said her husband collapsed after a walk and died at once. He had been four months in the Army, but had been invalided out.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 5 June 1923
KINGSBRIDGE - Found Drowned. Yarnscombe Woman's Fate At Kingsbridge. - A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned at an Inquest at Kingsbridge on Saturday on MRS ELIZABETH LUSCOMBE, aged 50, wife of MR WILLIAM GEORGE LUSCOMBE, farmer, Yarnscombe, Modbury, whose body was recovered from a mud-bank in Kingsbridge Estuary on Thursday. - Her husband stated that on Wednesday he found a note on the table in his wife's handwriting saying, "Gone to Langford." He was not concerned as she had done the same thing on other occasions, going to visit her sister. One of their sons died in 1920, which had affected deceased mentally. The first intimation he had of his wife's death was when a Police-sergeant called on him on Thursday morning. - P.S. Horn described the recovery of the body from "Four-hours" Mud, Kingsbridge. The conductor of the Great Western Railway motor 'bus informed him that a woman of deceased's description, came to Kingsbridge by the afternoon 'bus. - The Coroner, Mr T. Edmonds, said there was not sufficient evidence to show how deceased got into the estuary.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 8 June 1923
PLYMOUTH - Sudden Death. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned this morning by the Plymouth Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest held on the body of WILLIAM MACEY, 61, basket-maker, of 45 Richmond-street. MRS FLORENCE SMITH, deceased's daughter, said her father died at her house, 15 Brandon-road, soon after his arrival yesterday.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 9 June 1923
PLYMPTON - Plympton Tragedy. Verdict of "Suicide" At Inquest. Fear Of Cancer. - The discovery of the terribly mutilated remains of a man on the Great Western Railway near Plympton early yesterday morning was the subject of an Inquiry by Mr A. K. G. Johnstone, Coroner, and a Jury at Underwood House, Plympton, this afternoon. - The body had been identified as that of JOHN ARTHUR TABB, aged 54, of 14 Kensington-terrace, Plymouth, who held the position of managing clerk to Messrs. Popplestone and Co., wine and spirit merchants, Old Town-street, Plymouth. - Inspectors R. Heal and W. J. Cooke represented the Great Western Railway Company. - John Herbert Patey, 58 Baring-street, Police Constable in Plymouth Borough force, identified the body of the deceased, who was his brother-in-law. He last saw him on Whit-Sunday. Deceased left a widow and three grown-up children. Witness knew that he had had an impression he was suffering from cancer, from which three or four of five of his relatives had died. He had not taken any medical opinion and was always cheerful until recently. On Whit-Sunday he attended the opening of the Plymouth war memorial as a Special Constable. He frequently took walks in the Plympton district, and was well-known there, but witness could not say whether he visited anyone in that locality on the day of his death. - Accounts In Perfect Order. - Frederick Wellington, 74 Station-road, Keyham, ledger clerk, in the employ of Messrs. Popplestone, saw the deceased about 8 o'clock on Thursday morning at the firm's offices, when he appeared to be in his usual good spirits. He left within an hour and witness did not see him again that day. Inquiries at his house showed that he had not returned home to lunch. For the last three weeks deceased seemed to have been depressed. Witness had ascertained that TABB'S accounts were perfectly in order, and the books balanced up to the preceding evening. - Frederick John Monk, of 15 Skardon-place, Plymouth, stated that he was an engine-driver, and was driving a banking engine from Tavistock Junction towards Hemerdon at 4.35 a.m. on Friday. He noticed a dark object on the down main line as he passed the woods near Chaddlewood, and reported it to the signalman at the Hemerdon box. The latter told him to stop on the return journey and see what it was. Witness did so and found it was the body of a man. - The head was severed from the body, one foot was missing and the body was badly shattered. There was no indication, so far as witness observed, as to where deceased got on the line, but the head was about 12 yards from the body. - Vestiges On Midnight Engine. - Wm. John Cooke, permanent way inspector, of Newton Abbot, said he had examined the engine of the midnight train, 6.30 p.m. from Paddington, and found a little flesh and hair on the life-guard. The train would pass Plympton about 12.20 a.m. It ran from Totnes to Plymouth without a stop. - P.S. John Lynn, Plympton, gave evidence that he received a telephone message between 5.30 and 6 a.m. yesterday reporting the discovery of the body. He proceeded to the spot and about a mile and a-half from Plympton Station, he saw the body lying by the side of a bank in a terribly mutilated condition. The head was severed, the legs shattered and the little clothing remaining on the body was in absolute tatters. Pieces of boot and shreds of clothing were scattered along the line for 60 or 70 yards above and below where the body was found. The wheel of the train had evidently passed over the watch found on the line and the hands were imbedded in the watch face, indicating the time as 20 minutes past 12. Witness thought the deceased was struck by the engine in the back when facing towards Plympton, and carried some distance on the life-guard. - No correspondence was found on the deceased, and no one seemed to have seen him after he left his office on Thursday morning. There was a depression in the grass near the line as though someone had rested there and the rubble was disturbed, suggesting that he had got o the line from the covert. - Coroner's Summing Up. Theory Of Accident Said To Be Untenable. - The Coroner, in summing up, said the question which would exercise the mind of the Jury was as to the reason why the deceased was on the railway. Was he there by accident or by design? The witnesses were unable to find that he visited any friends or relatives in the Plympton district, to account for his being in the locality. - It seemed singular that deceased left his place of employment as early as 8.30 a.m. and that there was no trace of him for the rest of the day. The theory of his being on the line accidentally, said the Coroner, could not be substantiated, and the Jury would probably come to the conclusion that he was on the line by design. - The question was why? Was he there because he intended to take his life? There was nothing in his business affairs which could have affected his mind, but his brother-in-law had told them that deceased was under the impression that he suffered from a terrible disease and that would undoubtedly affect the mental balance of anybody troubled in that way. - Jury's Finding. - The Jury, after a brief deliberation, returned a verdict of "Suicide, whilst of Unsound Mind," and joined the Coroner in a vote of sympathy with the widow and family.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 9 June 1923
PLYMOUTH - Beechwood Fatality. Verdict of "Accidental Death" in Lift Accident. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict of the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at the Mortuary this morning at the Inquest on FREDERICK SAMUEL JAMES SOUTHERN POTE, who was killed when in charge of an electric lift at the Beechwood bacon factory on Thursday. - Mr H. Rodda said he was standing by the side of the lift when it suddenly went down on its own. POTE, who was in charge, rushed forward and caught hold of the top of the lift and swung himself on to it. The lift stopped, as POTE was jammed, and he was dead when taken out. - Mr G. Huntley Knight, a manager at the factory, said that deceased left the key of the lift switch in the contact box. Had he not done so the accident would not have happened. POTE was well acquainted with the work. - Medical evidence was given that death was caused by severe injuries to the chest and a verdict was returned as above.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 12 June 1923
MAKER, CORNWALL - Cremyll Shooting Tragedy. Girl Victim Making Good Progress. Inquest On Dead Man. - Little evidence of the tragic shooting affair which on Sunday caused sensation in Cremyll, the popular little resort across the Hamoaze, from Plymouth, could be seen or heard yesterday, save that the blinds of the Edgcumbe Arms Hotel, where WILLIAM RONALD TAVERNER, the 32 year old son of the proprietor, a native of Devon, shot himself with a sporting gun and Lilian Dyer, a 19 year old Millbrook girl, was wounded in the head, were drawn. - The TAVERNER family have been in Cremyll about three years, and RONALD was well liked in the neighbourhood, where everyone considered him a good fellow. It is asserted that he had no business worries, as his family attended to the accounts, and he aided in the management of the Hotel when he so desired and felt fit enough to do so. He suffered from the effects of war service. Only half an hour before the tragedy occurred he was spoken to by a friend, and then he seemed to be normal. His mother, who was not well, had gone away for a holiday. - It appears that deceased went into the parlour of the house, where the gun was kept, and after loading it proceeded into a wide passage. He then called the girl, a help at the Hotel, who was in the kitchen and she went to him. Shortly afterwards the Hotel was aroused by the sound of shots. The girl rushed out bleeding from a wound in the head and TAVERNER was found lying dead in a pool of blood. - Girl's Condition. - The girl's mother, Mrs Dyer, of Newport House, Millbrook, states that she is progressing as well as can be expected, although the doctor has ordered her to be kept perfectly quiet and has forbidden anyone to see her. - Her daughter, added Mrs Dyer, went as a companion to MRS TAVERNER at the Edgcumbe Arms and was very comfortable there, being treated as one of the family. The son, RONALD, had paid her some attentions in a friendly way, but she was a high-spirited girl and had treated the matter as a joke. - Mrs Dyer has only recently come into the district for the benefit of her husband's health and on Friday Mr Dyer went away for a short change. Within the last day or so she has received news that her son was in a train smash in India. - It would appear that TAVERNER was killed instantly. MRS TAVERNER, who was staying at Brent, was at once sent for and she arrived home on Sunday night. - Inquest Story. TAVERNER Under Medical Treatment. - An Inquest on TAVERNER was held at the Edgcumbe Arms, Cremyll, yesterday. - MRS FREDA SKINNER, of Millbrook, sister of deceased, said she was upstairs in her bedroom a little after midday on Sunday when she "heard a bang" and thought it was the ceiling falling down. Then she heard Lilian Dyer, who was a general help at the Hotel, shout. It sounded like "Oh," repeated four times, coming from downstairs. She went out of her bedroom, and met Miss Dyer on the landing. She said that RONALD had shot her. Blood was coming from her neck. Witness went down the stairs, and opening the door of the room, saw her brother had fallen on the floor. - Samuel Wilcox, of Cremyll, who was standing by the ferry-office door at the time, said he heard a woman's scream and recognised the voice of MRS SKINNER. He ran at once to the Mount Edgcumbe Arms and asked MRS SKINNER what was the matter. She replied "Shot!" - He rushed into the house and saw Miss Dyer sitting in a chair and bleeding from the head. He asked her what was the cause of the trouble. She said, "RONALD has shot me." He asked where RONALD was, but she answered that she did not know. - Witness, failing to find deceased in that room, went downstairs and at the bottom found TAVERNER in a heap, apparently dead, with a sporting gun by his side. - Terrible Injuries. - P.C. Carlyon, Millbrook, said he arrived on the scene at 12.45 p.m., and saw TAVERNER'S dead body lying at the foot of the stairs in a pool of blood. There was a sporting gun by his side, from which witness extricated two empty cartridges. - Deceased's forehead and all the side of the head were gone. The gun looked as if it had been fired recently and there was blood on it. - Dr John Currie, Kingsand, said he had been attending deceased for many months. TAVERNER was very wasted, thin and anaemic when first witness saw him. Shortly afterwards, on witness's advice, TAVERNER went away for a change, after which he entered Hospital. When he came out of Hospital, about January last, he returned to Cremyll and continued under witness's treatment. Although deceased said he was much better, he was not well. He was under treatment at the time of his death. - Coroner's Questions. - In reply to a question put by the Coroner, Mr A. de C. Glubb, Dr Currie said he believed TAVERNER had been gassed during the war, but he could not say for certain. Deceased was in a highly nervous condition. He saw him last professionally within the past fortnight. - The Coroner: Was he in a condition to be likely to go off his head? - Yes, I think he was. I think he did it while temporarily insane. - Is it true he had shell-shock and suffered in consequence periodic fits of depression? - I cannot answer that. - It was stated that deceased was gassed at Ypres. - Without retiring, the Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while Temporarily Insane," and expressed sympathy with the relatives. - Inspector Light watched the proceedings on behalf of the Police.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 12 June 1923
PLYMOUTH - Compression of the brain following a fall from a chair was stated to be the cause of the death of MRS REBECCA BLANK, aged 69, widow of a commercial traveller, at the Inquest at Plymouth yesterday. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 13 June 1923
TORQUAY - "Accidental Death" was the verdict recorded by Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy County Coroner, at an Inquest at Torquay yesterday on MR WALTER INSTRELL, a retired grocer, of Alexandra-road, Torquay, aged 83, who died at his residence on Monday as the result of a fall from a pair of steps on May 30. Dr James McAlpine Scott said deceased was suffering a great deal of pain from a fracture of the eighth, ninth and tenth left ribs and severe shock. The actual cause of death was acute pneumonia.

Western Morning News, Monday 18 June 1923
CLAYHIDON - Clayhidon Tragedy. Ex-Soldier Found Strangled By Bootlaces. - A man named HERBERT F. R. DUNN, of Clayhidon, was found lying dead in a ditch near the village on Friday. - Around his neck were wound two stout leather bootlaces fastened with tight knots at the back of the neck, the ends being broken off. The other ends of the lace were hanging from a tree in the hedge. - At the Inquest on Saturday it was stated that DUNN, an ex-soldier, aged 39, had been depressed for some time. He had been severely wounded in France. - Dr Jameson stated that death was due to strangulation and a verdict was returned accordingly. Deceased leaves a widow and family.

Western Morning News, Monday 18 June 1923
PLYMOUTH - "Accidental Death" was the verdict returned by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest on Saturday on CHARLES WILLIAM SANDERS, 72, of Melbourne-street, who died from septic poisoning, which set in following an accident about three months ago, when he cut his finger while cutting meat.

Western Morning News, Friday 22 June 1923
SHEVIOCK, CORNWALL - Whitsands Tragedy. Devonport Woman's Slip From Rocks. - More light was thrown at the inquest at Whitsands last evening on the mystery of the death of ADA HARVEY, 42, the wife of a chief petty officer in the Navy of 8 Stoke-terrace, Devonport, whose dead body was found in a shallow pool of water near the Grotto at Whitsands on Tuesday afternoon. - From the evidence given before the Liskeard Coroner, Mr A. de C. Glubb, it appeared that MRS HARVEY left home shortly before midday, having told her sister that she intended going to Tavistock to see her father. Instead, she travelled on the Millbrook steamer leaving Devonport at 12.20 and taking a return ticket. - Pte. J. W. Farmer, of the 2nd South Staffordshire Regt., stationed at Tregantle, who with Lce.-Corpl. G. Clarke found the body in a shallow pool of water, said eight yards up the cliff were the dead woman's mackintosh hat, sports coat, and two books. - Farmer, in answer to the Coroner, expressed the view that a female walking on the rocks might easily slip and fall into one of the pools. - This theory was advanced also by the husband, REGINALD HARVEY, who drew attention to a bruise on his wife's forehead and suggested that she either slipped or fainted and fell into the water, her head striking a rock. She had been under the doctor for "nerves" since November, and had had occasional fainting fits. - The dead woman's sister, BEATRICE CUMMING, said she had complained lately of pains in the throat and back and noises in the head. - The Coroner returned a verdict of "Found Drowned" and added that the woman had probably slipped on the rocks and fallen into the pool.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 27 June 1923
PLYMOUTH - Found Drowned. Plymouth Boy Who Had Been Missing. - A verdict of "Found Drowned" was returned by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at the Inquest today on ERNEST STEVENS, 15, son of WILLIAM STEVENS, labourer, 21 Bath-street, whose body was recovered from Sutton Pool yesterday. - The father stated that he last saw his son at 7.15 on the evening of June 16. He was a good swimmer. - Sidney Williams said deceased and himself took a man across to Coxside in a punt. On returning witness took some fish home, and on returning to the quay found both the boat and deceased missing. - Dr R. H. Wagner attributed death to drowning. The body was in a decomposed state and appeared to have been in the water about ten days. - Richard Bunt, fisherman, deposed to finding the body floating face downwards in Sutton Pool.

Western Morning News, Monday 2 July 1923
TAVISTOCK - Motor Fatality. Dangerous Road At Two Bridges. - A man who went to the assistance of two occupants of a motor car who met with a serious accident at Two Bridges on Tuesday was commended at an Inquest held by Mr A. Kenneth G. Johnstone, County Coroner, at Tavistock, on Saturday, on WILLIAM ROBERT PEAT, commercial traveller, 34, married, of Clarence-road, Weston-super-Mare. - William Henry Wakeham Bickell, motor car proprietor, of Postbridge, stated that he was driving from Ashburton to Two Bridges when he saw a car on its side with the occupants lying by the side of the road. He thought the bursting of the tyre caused a lock in the steering. - Francis Jennings, steam-roller driver, of Prince Hall, said he put deceased comfortable and then did what he could for the other man. Neither could speak. - Dangerous Road. - Dr Linington, of Brixton, said deceased was suffering from shock, concussion and compression of the brain, and a fractured collar-bone. The road was dangerous for a car not under proper control. There was a gully leading up to the road, and the culvert of the gully was composed of boulders, which encroached slightly on the surface. - Dr Edwin F. Griffith, Tavistock, said death was due to haemorrhage. - Hint To County Council. - The Coroner, returning a verdict of "Accidental Death," commended the witness Jennings for the help he gave to Dr Linington and for what he did for the deceased. He called attention to the narrowness of the road, which was only 13 ft. 3 in. wide where the accident happened and to the fact that it was dangerous to have boulders protruding in such a road. He intended to call the attention of the County Council to the state of the road. He expressed sympathy with those concerned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 3 July 1923
PLYMOUTH - Fatality At Laira. Singular Absence Of Evidence On The Accident. - A feature of an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital on a fifty-two-year old motor cyclist, ALBERT BROOKING, 30 Tothill-road, Plymouth, who died on Saturday as the result of a distressing accident, was that no one could be found who had actually been a witness of the fatality, so that the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, was able to return only an Open Verdict. - MR CHARLES MARTIN, motor engineer, 30 Tothill-road, identified the body as that of his father-in-law, a tailor. - Paymr.-Lt.-Com. C. K. Lloyd, stationed at the Commander-in-Chief's offices, Devonport, said about half-past nine on last Friday evening he was returning in his car with his wife from Plympton. They had reached Laira, and as the car approached the railway bridge at the bottom of a steep hill and just before the beginning of Alexandra-road, they were stopped by a boy, and saw a body being removed from the side of the road, and near a motor cycle badly damaged. Besides the boy there were two or three men on the spot. Witness asked if anyone had witnessed the accident, but nobody came forward. - Road Up. - The man was bleeding profusely from head and face, and witness decided to take him to the Hospital immediately. With the assistance of a man named Fletcher he placed the man in the car and drove to the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital. The motor cycle, he said, was very badly damaged, the front wheel being absolutely crumpled up. Witness remarked that half the road was up under repairs, and that the spot was most dangerous to any motorist who was not prepared for it. - The Coroner thanked Lieut.-Com. Lloyd for his action in bringing the man to the Hospital. - Dr K. W. Todd, House Surgeon, said deceased died on Saturday morning, his death being due to a fracture of the skull. He was only partly conscious on admittance to the Hospital, and was quite incapable of giving any indication as to how the accident had happened. - The Coroner expressed surprise that no one had come forward who had either witnessed the accident or was first on the spot. Police inquiries had failed to discover the whereabouts of the boy who had stopped Lieut.-Commander Lloyd's car. He was of opinion that further inquiries should be made. He described the place where the body was found as "the worst corner I know anywhere." Now that the road, which forms a complete semi-circle at the point in question, was under repair, it became a great menace to motorists, especially those unfamiliar with the district.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 6 July 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital yesterday, on GEORGE WINSOR, 67, widower, Longbridge Lodge, who fell from a scaffold in the orangery at Saltram House, sustaining fatal injuries.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 9 July 1923
TORQUAY - Torquay Tragedy. A Babbacombe Bather's Death. Onlookers Shocked. - When Oddicombe Beach, Torquay, was crowded yesterday afternoon, hundreds of onlookers were shocked by a mysterious tragedy, a swimmer losing his life under remarkable circumstances. - The man, who was afterwards identified as PATRICK BOYLE, 39 Princess-street, Babbacombe, was a bricklayer and a native of Paisley. - He was known to be an excellent swimmer and bathed regularly at the beach. - It appears that BOYLE was standing on a partly submerged rock, when he was seen to slip off and lie motionless face downwards on the surface of the water. - People on the beach thought at first that he was floating, but when he made no movement for some minutes investigations were made and it was found that the man was dead. - P.C. Trigger removed the body to the Mortuary at St Marychurch. - It is believed that heart failure is the cause of the tragedy. An Inquest is being held today.

Western Morning News, Monday 16 July 1923
TOTNES - Dead Under A Tree. Fate Of Totnes Labourer And His Dog. - At the Inquest at Totnes on Saturday on GEORGE TOPE, of St John's-terrace, who was found dead in a field with his dog dead at his feet after the storm on Friday, WILFRED LEWIS TOPE, deceased's son, who went in search of his father when he did not return, said he found the body under a tree. He noticed the dog and thought it was asleep. - Dr J. J. Gibson, who was called, said on his arrival deceased, an agricultural labourer, aged 58, had been dead for nine or ten hours. He had evidently died from electricity. The electrical force might have come down the tree, or along the ground, conducted by the wet. Witness was out in the storm, and saw a lot of sheet lightning running along the road. In fact, it stopped his motor car. - There were no marks on the body. It was only when people were struck by what was commonly known as a thunderbolt, or by forked lightning, that clothes were torn or there were any marks on the body. He had seen trees shattered from top to bottom by forked lightning, but in this case there was no indication that the tree was struck. - P.S. Jewell said it appeared as if deceased had stood with his back to the tree and fallen at full length. Deceased had a bag over his shoulders, and was still holding the ends of it with one hand. - The Coroner, Mr T. Edmonds, said there was no doubt that the unfortunate man was killed by a flash of lightning and his verdict was to that effect. - There was a large attendance at the funeral, which took place at Totnes Cemetery yesterday afternoon, the Rev. V. Dodge officiating. The bearers were deceased's neighbours.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 18 July 1923
MODBURY - Modbury Man's Fear Of Seizure. - At the Inquest yesterday on RICHARD JOHN GILLEY, 62, bootmaker, of Back-street, Modbury, who was found by his 14-year-old child lying on the floor with a gash in his throat on Sunday, a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned, it being stated that deceased had expressed a fear of dying, as his father had done, of a seizure.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 18 July 1923
NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Lad's Death. Coroner And Need For Bathing Place. - Returning a verdict of "Accidental Death" at an Inquest yesterday on GORDON MORGAN, 18, the son of MR W. G. MORGAN, a Great Western Railway employee, of Bowden-hill, Newton Abbot, who was drowned while bathing in the River Teign at Newton Abbot on Monday, Mr T. Edmonds, Coroner, said he would like to call the attention of the authority to the fact that a place like Newton Abbot ought to have a public bathing-place. He knew there was very often difficulty in providing such places, but the difficulty ought not insurmountable. Accidents of that sort had been fairly frequent in that river, as they were in most rivers where was no public bathing-place. He thought the mater should be carefully considered by the public authority with a view to providing proper bathing accommodation. - The Coroner complimented George Gribble, of Gladstone-place, Newton, on the effort he made to save the life of his friend. It was possible that in getting hold of a drowning man he might have been clutched and lost his life also. Therefore he thought Gribble acted in a very creditable manner. - P.C. Tooze said the water varied considerably in its depth, and in one place he could not touch the bottom with a 20-foot pole.

Western Morning News, Thursday 19 July 1923
TORQUAY - Drowning Accident. Open Verdict At Inquest On Babbacombe Woman. - There being no evidence to show how the deceased got into the water, Mr T. Edmunds, Deputy Coroner, returned a verdict of "Found Drowned" at an Inquest yesterday at St Marychurch, on ELIZABETH HEAD, of Warborough-road, Babbacombe, on Monday. - The husband, ALBERT THOMAS HEAD, said his wife left the house that morning before he went to work. She seemed cheerful at breakfast. They had no domestic troubles. - Dr G. M. Winter, St Marychurch, said he had been attending deceased for indigestion. Witness thought it well to mention that on the previous Saturday he had a talk with deceased, and she seemed very concerned about the state of her health, on account of her husband and children, but she had no idea of suicide. - In the course of evidence it was stated that although the cliffs were dangerous around the spot, yet if deceased had slipped off, the body would most certainly have struck the rocks below, and medical evidence showed that this could not have been the case. There was a possibility, instanced by the sister-in-law of deceased (MRS HAWKINS), that deceased might have been trying to cross from Anstey's Cove to Redgate Beach and had fallen into the water. - P.C. Kelly said that this was possible, but quite improbable.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 24 July 1923
PLYMOUTH - "Inexplicable." Electrical Fatality At Plymouth. - "It seems to have been an accident that can never be explained," said the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, Plymouth, yesterday, on JAMES HENRY HOSKING, (60), of Cotehele-avenue, who was killed at the Corporation Electricity Works, Prince Rock, last Friday. - It appeared that HOSKING, who had been employed at the works as a cleaner from their opening in 1899, went to the charge engineer, named Peachey, and asked for permission to dust down one of the transformers. As there was no ladder available the charge engineer told him to postpone the cleaning until the following day. - According to this witness, HOSKING replied "All right," but a quarter of an hour later there was an explosion on transformer set B, and HOSKING was found badly burned about the arms. Artificial respiration was carried out at the works, and was continued while the unfortunate man was being conveyed to the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital. He was, however, dead when admitted, the body being extensively burned electrically. - Dr Olive Potter attributed death to shock, due to a charge of electricity. - Well Acquainted With Duties. - In answer to the Town Clerk, Mr R. Fittall, who appeared for the Corporation, Peachey stated that HOSKING was well acquainted with his duties, which he had carried out for nearly 25 years. - After the accident, said Peachey, a pair of steps was found leaning against the transformer. Witness had never before seen deceased cleaning there with steps; always with a ladder. Neither had he known him to go against instructions. - Evidence as to the arrangement and height of the transformer was given by Mr E. G. Okell, Borough Electrical Engineer. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was recorded, and the Town Clerk expressed the sorrow of the Corporation at the accident, and their sympathy with the widow and family. - Mr RF. Mayburne Pearce appeared for the widow, and there was also present Mr W. E. Harding, H.M. Inspector of Factories, Plymouth, and Mr A. L. Tackley, H.M. divisional electrical inspector of factories, Birmingham.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 28 July 1923
PLYMOUTH - "Natural Causes" was recorded by Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, at the Inquest this morning on FRANK LEAN, the infant son of MR LEAN, labourer of 24 Rendle-street, whose death occurred four hours after birth by asphyxia due to an enlarged thymus gland.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 28 July 1923
PLYMOUTH - Mr R. B. Johns, Coroner, held an Inquest on MARY JANE HACCHE, 58, spinster, whose death from chronic heart disease occurred suddenly at Tavistock-place. Verdict: "Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Tuesday 7 August 1923
TORQUAY - Torquay Coroner And Modern Roads. - Mr E. Hutchings, the newly-appointed Torquay District Coroner, presiding at the Inquest yesterday on SAMUEL JOHN LEWIS, a Galmpton butcher, who was killed as a result of his motor cycle colliding with a Devon General Omnibus in Totnes-road, Paignton, on Saturday, said it might help towards the safety of the public if one emphasized the fact that in these days when roads were practically unsignalled railways it was the undoubted duty of anyone coming from a secondary road into a main road to exercise the utmost caution, and that it was the duty of those on the main road to drive with circumspection and be prepared for any sudden emergency. - HARRY LEWIS, of Woodside, Torquay, a brother of deceased, said deceased was aged 45, was married and had five children. - Bernard Wm. Holyoake, of Eventide, Torquay-road, who witnessed the accident, said the 'bus was coming up the Totnes-road at five to seven miles an hour on its correct side. The motor cycle ran into the 'bus broadside on, hitting the running board on the near side underneath the driver's cab with the front wheel. The motor cycle swerved, and deceased fell under the back wheel, which passed over his head and shoulders. Witness thought deceased was travelling at 17 to 20 miles an hour. - Expert's View. - The motor cycle was at witness's garage. It had only one brake fitted, and that would not pull it up in 50 yards at 20 miles an hour. In his opinion the brake was insufficient to stop the machine in a case of emergency. - In answer to Mr Eldridge, who appeared on behalf of MRS LEWIS, witness said he was standing 14 feet from the point where the accident happened, at the corner of Fisher-street. - Donald Stephen Dillam, a market gardener, saw the accident as he was going down Totnes-road. He estimated the speed of the 'bus at seven or eight miles an hour, but said he could not judge the speed of the motor cycle. It was going at a considerable pace. - William Francis Palfrey, of Kingsteignton, the driver of the 'bus, said if the cyclist had kept his head he could have avoided the crash. Witness added that his 'bus weighed 4 tons 12 cwt., and was going about 6 miles an hour. He pulled up in half the length of the 'bus. - Cyclist's Only Chance. - William Ibbotson, of Ashburton, a naval seaman, who was a passenger in the rear seat of the 'bus, said deceased drove straight into the 'bus. He could have saved the situation by turning to the left and going up Totnes-road. He should say that the cycle was travelling about 10 to 12 miles an hour. - P.C. Perryman said the driver of the 'bus pulled up in three yards. The cycle had only one brake, and that did not appear to be effective. - Dr Burland said he found deceased lying on the ground, suffering from a fracture of the base of the skull. He ordered deceased's removal to Hospital, and he just lived to get inside. Death was due to haemorrhage following the fracture. - LEWIS had a very large scalp wound and wounds on his right hand and right leg. He was unconscious and his condition was hopeless. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated the driver of the 'bus from blame.

Western Evening Herald, Wednesday 8 August 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by the Devonport Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, at an Inquest this afternoon at the Devonport Military Hospital on the body of a 21-year-old aircraft man, R.A.F., FRANCIS RICHARD PARSONS, who collided with a tramcar whilst cycling in Union-street on Sunday evening. - Several witnesses were called and the driver of the tramcar, Reginald Maddaford, was completely exonerated from blame.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 8 August 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Gallant Deck Hand. Inquest Story Of Hamoaze Tragedy. - The brave 16-year-old deck hand, Donald Hacker, of the Torpoint ferry steamer Lady Beatrice, was highly praised by Mr J. A. Pearce, Devonport Coroner, yesterday, at the investigation of the sad fatality which occurred in the Hamoaze on Saturday, when a private in the 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regt. lost his life. - It will be remembered that deceased, WILLIAM HARPIN, fell into the water while trying to board the ferry steamer, which was just leaving the Pottery Quay, and, despite the efforts of the young deck hand, was drowned. - WILLIAM HARPIN, of Kimberley, Notts, deceased's father, said his son was aged 20. - John Foster Bell, a private in the same platoon and company as deceased, with whom he spent the evening on the night of the tragedy, said when they reached Pottery Quay the steamer was just on the point of leaving, and under the mistaken impression that it was the last ferry across that night, they tried to jump on to it. Witness managed to get on, but when deceased essayed the jump, the stern of the steamer was about 6 ft. away from the quay, and he just touched the rails on the steamer and fell into the water. The cry of "Man overboard" was raised, and Hacker immediately dived into the water and was afterwards got back in an exhausted condition. - Rescuer's Story. - Donald Hacker, describing his attempt to rescue HARPIN, said: "He caught me by the throat and dragged my head under water and when he let go I was too exhausted to do anything but swim back to the pontoon, where I managed to catch hold of some chains. I shouted to some men who had come on to the pontoon to throw the lifebelt, but they had got excited, and could not find it. The soldier went down just then for the second time, and I climbed up on to the pontoon and got the lifebelt, but when I came back to the water's edge deceased had disappeared." - Thomas W. Toms, of Pembroke-street, Torpoint, who was in command of the ferry at the time of the tragedy, said he heard the soldiers running across the wooden bridge, but he did not stop the boat, as considering the distance from the quay he did not think they would attempt to get on. There was a lifebuoy with lines on the pontoon. It was very easily unhooked, the most difficult thing being to find it in the dark. - P.C. Chilcott, of the Metropolitan Police, said the body was recovered at 3 a.m., and the Police Surgeon, Dr T. McElwaine, said death was due to drowning. - Coroner's Comment. - The Coroner, returning a verdict of "Accidentally Drowned," was quite satisfied that everything had been done on board the ferry to save deceased. The act of Donald Hacker deserved the highest commendation. It was through no fault of Hacker's that he was unable to keep deceased's head above water until further help came. He thought steps should be taken to bring the matter before the Royal Humane Society. - Lieut. Ricketts, an officer of deceased's company, expressed the regret of deceased's comrades. - Donald Hacker, who made such a gallant attempt at saving deceased's life, was 16 in February last. He learned to swim through bathing from the beach at Torpoint, but has never been taught life-saving. He was instrumental in helping to save a life about six months ago, when a man fell from a gangway and he leaned over the side and managed to haul him to safety.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 9 August 1923
SOUTH BRENT - Sad Inquest Evidence. Disclosures At South Brent Inquiry. An Open Verdict. - The Inquest on BERTHA TREWHELLA BOLAS, aged 42, whose dead body was picked up on the railway just outside South Brent Station on Tuesday morning, failed to produce any satisfactory explanation of how she came by her death, an Open Verdict being returned. - It was stated that the deceased had the peculiar habit of getting in and out of trains at every Station, and was greatly distressed at separation from her husband. - The Inquiry was conducted at the Station by Mr T. Edmunds, Deputy Coroner. - Wretchedly Unhappy. - Deceased's sister, MRS EVELYN ROSE WARREN, of 23 Palace-avenue, Paignton, where deceased had been living, said she had been living apart from her husband, MR EVELAND STARBUCK BOLAS, of Beckenham, Kent. She had frequently gone away for the day without saying where she was going, and on Saturday morning when she left home witness thought she had gone to visit friends at Bedford-park, Plymouth. - Deceased was in fairly good health, but wretchedly unhappy owing to her separation from her husband, and as a result suffered at times from depression. - She had said that rather than let him get a divorce she would jump into the sea. - Curious Conduct. - Edwin Giles, gardener, of Totnes, said deceased, who seemed very distressed, boarded the 9.15 p.m. train for Millbay. She entered the compartment in which he was sitting and looked out of the window, after which she put her hand down and slowly began to turn the handle to open the door. The train began to move as she did so, however, and witness pulled it shut. At North-road, she alighted and stood on the platform until the guard came along and put her into a carriage further along the train. Witness said to the guard, "She ought to be locked in. There is something wrong," and saw him turn the key on her. - Guard's Care. - The guard in question, William Hutchings, of Plymouth, said some one advised him at Plympton to keep his eye on deceased, as something seemed to be wrong with her. She was standing on the platform, and got into the train as it moved out. He locked the door to prevent her repeatedly getting out. - The Coroner: Was there anybody in the compartment? - Witness: It was fairly full. - There was nothing to prevent her changing compartments by means of the corridor? - No. - Witness added that at Cornwood he found that deceased had changed into one of three empty first-class compartments and he asked her where she was going. She replied, "Torquay," speaking in a very quiet and nervous tone, as if she was in trouble. He saw her at subsequent Stations, including Brent, when she was standing in the corridor, until the train reached Totnes, when he missed her. - Seen On The Line. - Albert Edward Kellick, of Exeter, the driver of the 10.34 p.m. train from Plymouth on Monday, said that just after leaving Brent he saw someone on the line, but clear of the metals. It was too dark to distinguish whether it was a man or a woman. - The finding of deceased's body the following morning was described by Francis Gilbert Spiller, shunter, of South Brent, who said it was lying between the rails of the up line, about 160 yards from the signal box. - Dr F. W. Style, who examined the body at South Brent Station, said there was an extensive fracture of the skull, and the brain was considerably lacerated. Death was due to those injuries. From their nature the doctor thought deceased must have been lying between the rails at the time she was struck. - Presumed Fall. - Police-Sergt. Wilde said a small pool of blood further up the line seemed to show that deceased had fallen out of the train and had subsequently walked back towards Brent. - Dr Style: She must have been dazed by the fall. - The Coroner recorded an Open Verdict of "Found Dead." - Deceased's sister asked to be allowed to state that her sister always wanted to get out of a train and get back again. She had a terrible nervous breakdown recently, but had not been insane in any form whilst living at Paignton. - The Coroner: I shall leave it an Open question.

Western Morning News, Thursday 9 August 1923
NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Fatality. Coroner And Right To "King's Highway." - At the Inquest at Newton Abbot yesterday on FRANK HENRY VENTON TUCKER, 29, employed by the Great Western Railway Co. as a packer, a single man living with his parents at Chudleigh Knighton, who was fatally injured through being knocked down by a car in Courtenay-street, Newton Abbot, on Saturday evening, the Jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and exonerated the driver from blame. - Dr J. Culross stated that the cause of death was severe shock and internal injuries. - John Jackson, King-street, Newton Abbot, who witnessed the accident, said deceased stumbled in front of the car, which was travelling at six to eight miles an hour. No driver could have done more than the driver of the car did to avoid the accident. - William Uren, Union-street, Newton Abbot, another eye-witness said the man stopped in the road hesitating which way to go and steeped backward and forward. - Stanley Wm. Moon, grocer, West-street, Axminster, the driver of the car, questioned by the Jury, said there was nothing to give any indication that the man was the worse for drink until he halted and then started again. - The Coroner, Mr E. Hutchings: A man perfectly sober can lose his head and hesitate. - After further questioning the witness on the point, the Coroner said he did not think it mattered very much whether the man was drunk or not. This was still a free country, and even a drunken man had a right to the King's Highway. - Mrs Elizabeth Moon, who was in the car with her husband, said deceased "walked right into the car" and Samuel Tuckitt, Mary-street, Bovey Tracey, deceased's companion, said he did not hear a horn sounded, but the roundabouts in the market were making a noise. - Summing up, the Coroner said it was obvious that the car was pulled up instantaneously. Of course, the driver could have stopped. A motorist could always stop and if every motorist stopped when there was a sign of danger there would be no accidents. But driving along a road 40 feet wide, slowly, sounding his horn, the driver in this case obviously did his best to avoid the man. Pedestrians had as much right to the road as motorists, but, on the other hand, motorists had the right to expect that pedestrians would use common sense. - There was not a tittle of evidence to suggest that deceased was under the influence of drink - but he did not think it mattered. It would be a terrible thing that a drunken man carried his own death warrant, and was liable to be knocked down by any motorist. If a man was lying in the road in a fit, a motorist who rode over him through negligence would be guilty of manslaughter. - Verdict as stated.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 10 August 1923
PLYMOUTH - Crownhill Fatality. Coroner And Police Care For Motorists. - Mr R. B. Johns, Plymouth Coroner, paid a tribute yesterday to the Crownhill Police for the obliging manner in which they assist motorists at the cross-roads at Crownhill during the hearing of evidence at an Inquest on MRS CHARLOTTE BERRY, widow, Seaton House, Crownhill. - MRS BERRY died from shock at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital on Wednesday night about two hours after having been knocked down by a car driven by Alfred Horn, cab proprietor, Wilton-street, Stoke. - The evidence was that Horn was driving through Crownhill and when just past the cross-roads, MRS BERRY stepped in front of his car. He drew up immediately, but could not have avoided her. The motorist sounded his horn three or four times and was driving at about six to eight miles per hour. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, and the driver exonerated from blame.

Western Morning News, Saturday 11 August 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Baby's Fatal Burns. Devonport Coroner Refers To Dangerous Practice. - The danger of leaving babies in a room by themselves was emphasised by the Devonport Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, at an Inquest yesterday on MARGARET MARY JOAN FIRTH, the three-year-old daughter of a Bristol van salesman, who died at the Royal Albert Hospital, Devonport, as the result of burns sustained at a house in Newport-street, Stonehouse, through her clothes catching fire from the flame of a gas ring. - The child, it was stated, was staying in Plymouth on holiday with her aunt. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 11 August 1923
PLYMOUTH - "Natural Causes" was recorded at the Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on WILLIAM RADFORD FACEY, 67, a wall mason, who died suddenly at his home, 166 King-street, on Wednesday. Dr J. S. Pearce, who made a post-mortem examination, stated that death was due to cerebral haemorrhage, caused by the rupture of a blood vessel on the brain.

Western Morning News, Monday 13 August 1923
PLYMOUTH - WALTER NEWMAN, retired warrant officer, R.N., was discovered dead on the floor of the bathroom of his house, 18 Broad Park-road, Peverell, with two days' milk supplies untouched on the doorstep. At the Inquest on Saturday it was shown that death was due to syncope.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 17 August 1923
PLYMOUTH - Overbalanced Himself. Plymouth Man's Fatal Fall While At Work. - "Accidental Death" was the verdict returned by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at the Inquest held today in the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital on WILLIAM THOMAS HOLMAN, 81 Sussex-street, Plymouth, who died in the Institution as the result of injuries sustained while on some demolition work in Cobourg-street on Wednesday. - Evidence was called to show that HOLMAN was working on a wall about 11 ft. 6 in. high, and, when knocking off a stone, he overbalanced and fell to the ground. He was removed to the Hospital, where he died. - Medical evidence showed that death was due to haemorrhage of the brain as the result of injuries sustained by the fall.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 17 August 1923
PLYMOUTH - Murder Charge At Plymouth. Storekeeper Before Magistrates. Week's Remand. Depositions Of Dying Girl. - A sensation was caused in the Wolsdon-street district of Plymouth late last night by the arrest of JOHN HENRY DENNIS, a storekeeper, 54 years of age, on a charge of murder. - Previously Detective-Inspector Hutchings, who made the arrest, accompanied by Detective-Sergt. Cloke, had attended at the Infirmary to take the dying depositions of HELEN HOARE, a single girl, 21 years of age, who had been employed as a shop assistant at the same establishment as Dennis. - Police Court Proceedings. - When Dennis, a respectably dressed man, whose address was given as 28 Wolsdon-street, was brought before Messrs. J. R. Lake and J. H. Beckly on the capital charge at Plymouth Police Court this morning it was stated that his reply to the Police when arrested was, "I know nothing about it." - A remand for seven days was granted, the Chief Constable stating that further remands would probably be necessary. - Chief Constable's Statement. - The Chief Constable, addressing the Bench, stated that the deceased was a single girl, of 21, employed at the same establishment as accused. She was taken to the Infirmary on August 8th, and became so seriously ill this week that the doctor attending her notified the Police that her depositions would have to be taken. - It was not until last night, however, that Detective-Inspector Hutchings was sent for this purpose. The girl's statement was taken, but she was only just able to sign it before she died. In fact, immediately after signing she dropped back in bed dead. - In the document was the statement that Dennis had performed an operation on her when pregnant. - The Chief Constable said he did not propose to go into the facts this morning. He would simply apply for a remand until next Friday, when another remand would be necessary. - Accused's Denial. - Detective-Inspector Hutchings, giving evidence of arrest, said he saw Dennis in Sussex-street at 11.10 last night. When he told the man that he was going to arrest him for the murder of HELEN HOARE, the latter replied, "I don't know anything about it." - On the way to the Police Station he said, "Fancy, murder! Why. I don't know anything about the girl. In fact I haven't been friendly with her for over twelve months. I don't know more about it than you do. There is one thing about it - she is dead now, and you can't bring her face to face with me so that I can contradict it." - "I Know Nothing About It." - In reply to the charge, Dennis replied, "I know nothing about it." - Inspector Hutchings added that previously in the presence of Dr Fox and Dr Walker he took a statement from the girl, which she signed. - Mr J. L. Wolferstan, who appeared for accused, agreeing, the Magistrates ordered a remand for a week. - The Inquest. - The Inquest on the woman was opened at the Workhouse Infirmary this afternoon by Mr J. H. Graves, Deputy Coroner. - Only evidence of identification was taken, after which the Inquiry was adjourned until 7th September. - KATHLEEN MARY HOARE, of Lipson Farm, Mutley, said that the dead woman was her sister and that her full name was HELEN JANE HOARE. She was 21 years of age and lived at Lipson Farm. - The Inquest was then adjourned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 18 August 1923
OKEHAMPTON - Death On Dartmoor. Plymouth Man's Tragic End. - MR W. FRIEND, of 9 Westhill-road, Mutley, who, with his wife, was spending a holiday with his sister, MRS H. KENT, Little Cranford, Bridestowe, went, in company with his nephew, RONALD PELLOW, on Dartmoor for the day on Thursday to pick whortleberries. Late in the afternoon, when near Great Links Tor, his nephew noticed him fall forward and on going back found that he could not speak. The lad ran to the peat-works, some distance away, and informed the workmen, who when they arrived found that MR FRIEND was dead. - Deceased, aged 62, was for many years employed at the ice works, Plymouth, retiring only a short time ago. - At an Inquest at Okehampton last night, Dr L. Gameson, who made a post mortem examination, said the heart was diseased, and death was due to exertion. - Verdict accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 21 August 1923
PLYMOUTH - Poisoned By Coal Gas. Mannamead Widow's Tragic End. - An Inquest has been held by Mr R. B. Johns, Plymouth Borough Coroner, respecting the death of ANNIE MAUD PARSONS, aged 45, of "L[?]", Mannamead, widow of JOHN PARSONS, a clothier's clerk. - Evidence was given by ETHEL MARY WHITEMORE that the deceased, her sister, suffered from neuritis, which affected her very much, but witness had never heard her threaten to take her life. At 7.30 on Friday morning she found her sister wrapped in an eiderdown quilt, lying on the floor of her bedroom, with the end of a rubber tube attached to the gas ring close to her mouth. - Dr J. J. Linton said that death was due to gas poisoning. - The Coroner returned a verdict that deceased Committed Suicide by inhaling coal gas.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 22 August 1923
HIGHAMPTON - Accidentally Shot. Highampton Farmer's Tragic Death. - Mr G. J. Atkinson, Coroner, held an Inquest at Highampton yesterday on RICHARD BLATCHFORD CROCKER, farmer, of Harralane Farm, Highampton, who was found on Saturday evening with the top of his head blown off. - George Victor Wilson, staying at Harralane Farm on holiday, said on Saturday afternoon deceased was in a happy frame of mind. He was a man of cheerful temperament, and enjoyed good health. Witness referred to some hay that had been burning at Beara, and deceased said it was nearly finished. When the body was found a gun was resting in the hedge, the barrel pointing a bit downwards. It was clear of the ground and supported by twigs of the hedge. - Selina Mary Wilson, wife of the previous witness, said deceased came in from outdoors and said, "I see a rabbit in the field. I'll take the gun and see if I can get it." - P.C. Chilcott, Black Torrington, said there was nothing to suggest it was a case of suicide. - Dr W. F. Mitchell, Hatherleigh, said he was strongly of opinion from the nature of the wound that death was due to accident. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned. - Much sympathy is felt with the relatives. Deceased was highly respected and had a large circle of friends.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 25 August 1923
PLYMOUTH - Sudden Death At Sea. Engineer's Ruptured Heart. Inquest At Plymouth. - At an Inquest at Plymouth today on JAMES TULLOCK, 38, of Edinburgh, third engineer of the s.s. Dunmore Castle, who died at sea last Thursday, with the result that the liner put into Plymouth, it was stated that the man was found lying on a settee aboard the ship, apparently dead. - Dr C. J. Cooke, who was sent for, pronounced life extinct, and at the Inquest, held by Mr R. B. Johns, at his office today, the doctor stated that a post-mortem examination revealed that death was due to a ruptured heart. TULLOCK was an abnormally stout man and the heart was much dilated. - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned. - The Coast Lines, Ltd., as agents for the Union Castle Mail Co., Ltd., were represented by Mr S. C. Down.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 28 August 1923
LAMBETH, LONDON - Devonport Resident Dies Suddenly In London. - Mr Ingleby Oddie, the Lambeth Coroner, yesterday held an Inquest concerning the death of FREDERICK CHARLES TUCKER, aged 71, a pensioned inspector of shipwrights, of 12 Bladderley-road, Swilley, Devonport, who died suddenly whilst on a visit to London. - The widow stated that her husband had been suffering from bronchitis. They were staying with friends at Wimbledon Park-road, Wandsworth. On Thursday they left the house and the deceased complained of a peculiar feeling. He was about to drop when witness supported him, but he died soon afterwards. - Mr Henry Bright Weir, who made a post-mortem examination, said death was due to the bursting of a gastric ulcer. - The Coroner recorded a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes."

Western Morning News, Saturday 1 September 1923
EXETER - At the Inquest yesterday on WILLIAM JOHN BUBEAR, aged nine, Normandy-road, Heavitree, Exeter, Dr Whaite attributed death to wasting and heart failure due to sarcoma at the left shoulder joint, following an injury received while playing football in January last. A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Morning News, Saturday 1 September 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Found in a fainting condition in a stable in Devonport Dockyard, WILLIAM HENRY SALTER, a Dockyard labourer, of Victory-street, Devonport, was removed to the Royal Albert Hospital, where he died. At the Inquest yesterday, Surg.-Com. W. E. Gribbell, R.N., stated that death was due to heart affection. Verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Friday 7 September 1923
BRIGHTON, SUSSEX - Plymouth Colonel's Death. Suicide After Many Years Of Ill-Health. - The tragic death of BREVET COLONEL ARTHUR HERBERT KENNEY, R.E., C.M.G., D.S.O., a native of Plymouth, was the subject of an Inquiry at Brighton yesterday. The Colonel was found dead in a locked bedroom of his residence in Preston Park-avenue with his head shattered and a double-barrelled sporting gun between his legs. - Miss Margaret Ross Hooper, Norfolk-terrace, Brighton, said she had been an intimate friend of the Colonel and his sister for many years. He was a bachelor and resided with his sister, who was unable to attend the Inquiry as she was prostrate with grief. The Colonel's health had not been good for years. He was never himself after the South African war. - Police-Sergt. King produced the gun, around the trigger of which was a new brown bootlace. One barrel, said the Sergeant, was empty, and the other contained a spent cartridge. He found no letter. - Dr Lyon Smith, Norton-road, Hove, said his partner and himself had attended the Colonel for many months. He was neurasthenic and very nervous about his health. Witness visited him at one o'clock on the afternoon of the tragedy. The Colonel was possibly not as cheerful, but witness had seen him much more depressed. He was a clever man, and when in a cheerful mood joked about mathematical problems. Witness was called after the sad occurrence, and found a gunshot wound through the mouth and a large hole in the back of the head. The Colonel had no suicidal tendencies. - Coroner Bush, returning a verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily of Unsound Mind," said it was an extremely sad end to a distinguished military career. The Colonel was doubtless seized with an uncontrollable impulse, and was not responsible for his action. - The funeral will take place at Brighton on Saturday.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 7 September 1923
PLYMOUTH - HELEN HOARE'S Death. Coroner's Inquest Again Adjourned. Doctor Absent. - The Coroner's Inquiry in the case of HELEN JANE HOARE, the 21-years-old Plymouth shop assistant, in respect of whose death, John Henry Dennis (54) a fellow employee of the deceased, was yesterday committed for trial on the charge of murder, was resumed at the Mortuary today by Mr J. Graves, Deputy Coroner. - It will be recalled that HOARE, who lived at Lipson Farm, died at Greenbank Nursing Home on August 16th - following, it is alleged, an illegal operation, performed by Dennis. - Today, however, it was found impossible to proceed owing to the absence of Dr Olivia Walker, and the hearing was accordingly adjourned until next Thursday afternoon.

Western Morning News, Friday 7 September 1923
EGMOND AAN ZEE, NETHERLANDS - Mystery Partly Solved. Devonian's Body Found On Dutch Coast. - One of the most baffling mysteries in local history at Exeter has been partially solved by the reported discovery of the body of MR FREDERICK HENRY HALLETT, late proprietor of the Rolle Hotel, Budleigh Salterton, and formerly manager of the Rougemont Hotel, Exeter, who disappeared nearly four months ago. - In January 1922 MR HALLETT'S 15-year-old daughter, EILEEN MARY HALLETT, vanished in equally extraordinary fashion, and the mystery of her disappearance remains as deep as ever. - News of the discovery of a man's body reached the city yesterday, and the information was such as to leave little doubt that it is that of MR HALLETT. Just over a month ago the body of a fully-dressed man was left by the receding tide on the shore of the Dutch town of Edmond-on-Sea. So indistinguishable were the features that identification was impossible, but measurements were taken, and various personal effects were found in the clothing, including letters and Freemasonry tokens, which gave the authorities some basis for investigation. An Inquest was held the verdict being, "Found Drowned," and a simple funeral followed in the local cemetery.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 11 September 1923
PLYMOUTH - "Death from Natural Causes" was the verdict, in accordance with medical evidence, of the Deputy Coroner, Mr J. Graves, at an Inquest at the Plymouth Mortuary this morning into the death of MRS DORA FLORENCE FOSTER, aged 22, who was found dead in bed by her sister on September 9, at 21 Staddon-terrace, Plymouth. She had been attended by Dr R. H. Wagner since August 31.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 11 September 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned by the Deputy Coroner, Mr J. Graves, at Plymouth Mortuary yesterday, at the Inquest on ELIZABETH HODGE of Camel's Head, who died suddenly at 26 Broad Park-road, Peverell, Plymouth. Evidence was given that on the 5th inst. she returned from the Hoe with some relations whom she was visiting, but feeling unwell she consented to remain with them at Peverell. She appeared to recover, but on the evening of the 7th she died suddenly. - Dr E. M. Findlayson McGill was called and attended deceased just prior to death.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 13 September 1923
PLYMOUTH - Murder Charge At Plymouth. Resumed Inquest This Afternoon. "Murder" Verdict. - After two adjournments the Inquest on HELEN JANE HOARE (21), of Lipson Farm, the Plymouth shop assistant, in connection with whose death John Henry Dennis (54), a fellow employee, has been committed for trial on a charge of murder, was continued at the Mortuary today by Mr J. Graves, Deputy Coroner. - It will be recalled that HOARE died at Greenbank Nursing Home on August 16th after making and signing a declaration in which she alleged that Dennis had performed an illegal operation on her. - Accused Man Absent. - There was evidence, said the Deputy Coroner, that the girl died as the result of an illegal operation and Dennis had been committed to the Assizes on a charge of murder. - Mr J. L. Wolferstan appeared on behalf of Dennis, who was not present. - Police Testimony. - The first witness called was Detective-Inspector Hutchings, of the Plymouth Police. On August 16, at 7.15 p.m., he attended at the Greenbank Nursing Home, in consequence of a communication from Dr O. M. Walker. He saw the deceased in bed, and in the presence of Detective Cloke and Drs. Walker and Fox he asked the deceased: "Do you wish to tell us anything?" - She replied, "Yes," and added: "This man, Mr Dennis, aid if ever I got into trouble to come to him. I got into trouble, and I went to him and told him about it. He told me I ought to have gone to him earlier." - The remainder of the statement described the performance of the alleged operation, which, according to deceased, took place "about six weeks ago." - At The Eleventh Hour. - Mr Hutchings added that at the end of the statement she wrote, "I have made this statement with the settled fear of death before me and no hope of my recovery." He read this to HOARE, who, after saying that she knew what it meant, signed the complete declaration. She died shortly afterwards. - In answer to the Deputy Coroner, witness said that deceased appeared to be quite clear mentally, but very weak. - Doctor's Evidence. - Dr Olivia M. Walker, of 1128 Peverell Park-road, described how HOARE consulted her on the 21st July, and was found to be suffering from rheumatic pains. She improved and later returned to work, but was taken ill again and went to see witness again on August 4th. The symptoms were the same and on August 9th the girl was admitted to the Greenbank Nursing Home, where she was attended by witness. - Eventually an operation was performed. It was followed by a temporary improvement in the girl's condition, but, getting worse, she died on August 16th. - Witness corroborated Inspector Hutching's evidence as to the dying declaration made by deceased. - Coroner's Persistence. - In reply to the Coroner, Dr Walker said that HOARE told her a day or two before she died, that she had been operated upon by a man and witness thought the girl intended that her aunt should make a statement to the authorities if she died. - The Deputy Coroner pressed witness as to the declaration made by deceased and pointed out that such a statement, to be admissible, must have been made spontaneously. - Witness: It was spontaneous. - Questioned further as to her conversations with deceased, Dr Walker said that when, on 8th August, she asked the name of the person who had operated on her, she replied, "I daren't tell you and I mustn't tell you." - Death was due to peritonitis caused by septicaemia, which was the result of an internal wound. - "Murder" Verdict. - The Jury returned a verdict that HOARE died from Peritonitis due to an illegal operation performed by John Henry Dennis, which, said the Deputy Coroner, amounted to a verdict of Wilful Murder against Dennis.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 18 September 1923
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Tragedy. Suicide By Taking Cyanide Of Potassium. - On arriving home about 5 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, Miss May Collings, of 28 Beaumont-road, Plymouth, found HARRIET AMELIA MAY SELMON, spinster, aged 46, who lived in the same house, lying unconscious in her bedroom. - Beside her was a glass containing what Miss Collings described as "strange white lumps, like macaroni." - Miss Collings summoned Dr H. H. Parsloe, who arrived half an hour later, when SELMON was found to have passed away. - The Cause Of Death. - At the Inquest this morning Dr Parsloe said the glass had contained cyanide of potassium, and that was the cause of death. There was about half an ounce of the poison, which was in crystal form. There was no sign of a struggle. - Mr J. Graves, Deputy Coroner, returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity."

Western Evening Herald, Friday 21 September 1923
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Suicide. Tragedy Of Unemployment: Request For Parish Burial. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned today by Mr J. Graves, Deputy Plymouth Coroner, at an Inquest on THOMAS E. BRIGGS DENNIS, 50, a single man, 5 Oven-cottages, Plymouth, who was discovered on Tuesday with the end of a piece of gas tubing in his mouth. - In a letter which he left addressed to the Court, deceased said he had been unemployed since January and could not bear to live like it any longer. Deceased asked to be buried by the parish, and not have a better casket than anyone else, as "that was only vanity." - P.S. Mead said that on being called to the house he found deceased lying fully dressed on a sofa with his head enveloped in a mackintosh coast and the end of a piece of flexible tubing, connected with the gas pipe, in his mouth. He was apparently dead, and the room was full of coal-gas. - Dr Ledger, who was summoned and found life extinct, said that death was due to coal-gas poisoning.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 21 September 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - A Strange Fatality. Death Of A Plymouth Drayman. Unusual Inquest Story. - While delivering a barrel of stout, which he was carrying on his back, at a Plymouth public-house on July 4, ERNEST FARLEY, aged 35, brewer's drayman, of Monument-street, Devonport, in the employ of Messrs. Ash and Sons, slipped on the step leading into the bar. He did not fall, neither did he lose his hold of the barrel, but having lowered it into position on the ground he complained to his assistant, Sidney Finner, that he had hurt his back. - After returning his dray to the brewery he went home and went to bed. He died on Wednesday morning. - At the Inquest yesterday the slip on the step was described by Finner, who said that the step was slippery owing to heavy rain. - Mr T. Clarke, manager for Messrs. Ash and Sons, said that some weeks after the accident, FARLEY came to the brewery and said he would like to try to do some work. He was, however, totally unfit and could not even lift a small crate of empty bottles owing to the pain the effort caused. - Doctor's Opinion. - Dr T. McElwaine, who had attended deceased, said when he first saw him he could not find anything wrong. He, however, kept him under observation and later he was removed to a Nursing Home. A post-mortem examination revealed two sarcomas on the interior parts of the seventh and ninth ribs, and another on the posterior part of the seventh, near the spine. There was also a small nodule, or lump, probably the beginning of another sarcoma in the apex of the lung. The cause of death was sarcomas caused by the injury. - Answering Mr Mayburne Pearce, who watched the Inquiry on behalf of Messrs. Ash and Sons, Dr McElwaine said a sarcoma was not a very slow-growing thing. It could develop in 2 ½ months. They could find no injury to the bones at the post-mortem. - Returning a verdict that FARLEY died from sarcomas caused by injuries Accidentally received, the Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, expressed sympathy with the widow.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 25 September 1923
MARYLEBONE, LONDON - Doctors Baffled. Teignmouth Man's Death From Obscure Disease. - A case of illness so perplexing that it completely baffled four medical men was described at a Marylebone Inquest yesterday on ARTHUR HERBERT WILKIN, aged 50, of Rockwood, Teignmouth, retired superintendent of Indian Police, who passed away in a London West-end Nursing Home on Friday. - Dr Sidney Wollf said he was called in on September 13. WILKIN complained of pains in the back, arms and chest, but as witness could find no critical symptoms of disease he thought the patient was merely suffering from indigestion. WILKIN grew rose, and witness called in Dr Hector Cameron, of Guy's Hospital, but he also was unable to make a positive diagnosis. In the next few days WILKINS'S case became serious and Mr Sampson Hambley, of the Middlesex Hospital and Sir William Hale-White, of Wimpole-street, were also consulted. Neither was able, however, to say definitely what the patient was suffering from. - "Then four doctors - two of them, at least, of great eminence in the profession - saw this man," remarked the Deputy Coroner, Mr A. Douglas Cowburn, "and not one of them was able to make a diagnosis." - Dr Thomas Rose, Police Divisional Surgeon, who made a post-mortem examination, said he found there was degeneration of the heart muscles and an obscure disease known as thrombosis of the coronary artery.- A verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was recorded.

Western Morning News, Thursday 27 September 1923
PLYMOUTH - Patient's Fall. Death Of Aveton Gifford Collision Victim. - Mr R. B. Johns held an Inquest yesterday at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital on SIDNEY JAMES LETHBRIDGE, aged 21, of Aveton Gifford, who collided with a motorist on June 30 near Aveton Gifford. - John Mullaney, of no fixed abode, said about a mile from Aveton Gifford he saw a motor car coming towards him. A cyclist came behind him from the direction of Plympton and ran into the front of the car which was being driven slowly on the left hand side of the road. The cyclist came round the bend on his wrong side. - Dr K. W. Todd, House Surgeon, said deceased was admitted to Hospital suffering from a compound fracture of the right thigh and a fracture of each wrist. He was convalescent during August, but then slipped and fell in the ward, and as a result he fractured his thigh at the same point. - It was found impossible to fix the thigh in a good position, and an operation was resorted to. Death occurred from blood-poisoning, the result of a compound fracture of the thigh. - The primary cause of death was the first fracture accelerated by the second fracture. - The Coroner returned an Open Verdict. 

Western Morning News, Saturday 29 September 1923
PLYMOUTH - At an Inquest held yesterday by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, on JOHN WARREN, aged 66, of the Ivy Cottages, Lower Compton, a verdict was returned of "Death from Natural Causes." - Dr A. E. Blades said that on his arrival he found deceased "in extremis." Death was the result of kidney trouble.

Western Morning News, Saturday 29 September 1923
PLYMOUTH - "Death From Natural Causes" was the verdict of the Coroner in the case of KATE ELIZABETH HAGGARTY, of Quarry Park-road, Plymouth. She was found lying dead by the side of her bed on Wednesday.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 3 October 1923
TORQUAY - Lady Novelist's Death. Accident To MISS F. M. PEARD. - MISS FRANCES MARY PEARD, the novelist, met with a fatal accident at her residence, St James, Abbey-road, Torquay, on Monday morning. - At the Inquest yesterday death was attributed to concussion and heart failure following a fall while being assisted out of bed, and a verdict was returned accordingly. - MISS PEARD, who had reached the advanced age of 88, was the aunt of Sir Trehawke Kekewich. She had resided in Torquay for nearly 50 years. - A widely travelled lady, MISS PEARD had spent some time in India, was intimately acquainted with European countries and had been in practically all parts of the world. She was an authoress who had a large following, writing, in addition to her novels, several boys' books. - MISS PEARD was well known among county families in Devonshire. For some years she had suffered from acute rheumatism, which had stricken her down physically, though mentally she retained her keen facilities.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 5 October 1923
PLYMOUTH - Widow's Sudden Death. - "Natural Causes" was the verdict returned by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest this morning concerning the death of MRS MARY JANE ROSEWALL RICH, aged 73, widow of a mason, who was found dead in bed at her residence, 31 Cromwell-road, by her grand-daughter, MURIEL MARY RICH, on Wednesday morning. Dr W. J. Radford said death was due to fatty degeneration of the heart and valvular disease of that organ.

Western Morning News, Friday 5 October 1923
TORQUAY - Bath Resident's Collapse At Torquay. - Mr T. Edmonds, Deputy Coroner, returned a verdict of "Natural Causes" at Torquay yesterday at the Inquest on JOHN BESZANT, aged 56, of Henry Cottages, Phillips-street, Bath, who collapsed and died in Market-street on Tuesday.

Western Morning News, Saturday 6 October 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Bedroom Tragedy. Devonport Man Commits Suicide. - A tragic discovery was made at Devonport yesterday morning, ALFRED RICHARD WAKEHAM, 51, a pensioned iron caulker, being found dead in his bedroom at his house at Gloucester-street. - An Inquest was held at Ford House by Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, when PATRICK CUNNINGHAM, private in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, son-in-law of deceased, said that on taking him a cup of tea early in the morning he found deceased in a sitting position at the foot of the bed, with a rope tied to the bed round his neck. - The widow said her husband had been ill for two years, which had made him depressed. They had suffered bereavement through the death of their two sons recently. - Dr Ingram said he thought deceased must have studied the attachment of the rope. He had placed a chair by the bed and slipped off it, so that the whole of his weight was thrown upon the rope. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was recorded, the Coroner expressing sympathy with the widow.

Western Morning News, Saturday 6 October 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - A Fatal Fall. - An Inquest related to AMY WILLING, aged 75, spinster, Edgcumbe-place, Devonport, who in May last complained of having slipped in her room, injuring her thigh. - On the advice of Dr Ingram she was removed to the Royal Albert Hospital, where she was found to have fractured her right thigh and subsequently to the Workhouse Infirmary, where her death occurred on Wednesday. - Dr G. C. Sandford said death was due to congestion of the lungs, following upon the fall, and a verdict in accordance with this testimony was returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 8 October 1923
NEWTON ABBOT - Mr Ernest Hutchings returned a verdict of "Natural Causes" at the Inquest at Newton Abbot on Saturday on SAMUEL ROWE, a Kingsteignton old-age pensioner, who was found lying dead, fully dressed, on his bed on Thursday by the village constable. Deceased had been well-known in agricultural circles as a manure company's agent. Death was due to pleurisy and heart disease.

Western Morning News, Monday 8 October 1923
NEWTON ABBOT - Newton Director's Death. Coroner And An Unread Letter. - An Inquest was held at Newton Abbot on Saturday on ALBERT VICTOR JUDD, managing director of the Devon Hide and Skin Company, who was found shot in a stable at his residence at Aller Mill, near Newton Abbot, on Wednesday evening. The Inquiry was conducted by Mr Ernest Hutchings, County Coroner. - MRS MARIANNE JUDD, the widow, said she heard a report of a revolver, and ran out of the house to a stable where she saw deceased in a sitting position. - The Coroner: Had your husband been worried a good bit lately? - MRS JUDD: He appeared to be. He had an illness in May and since then he had not been at all well and was unable to sleep. - Dr John Raynor Hatfield, of Kingskerswell, said he found deceased in a dying condition, bleeding from two wounds in the head. One of the wounds was in the region of the right temple (the wound of entry), whilst the wound of exit was on the left side, just above and behind the left ear. He saw a revolver on the ground. He believed the wound to have been self-inflicted, as it was obvious from the wound that the revolver had been fired at close range. - "Ordinarily," asked Mr Hutchings, "he was a man of cheery disposition?" - Dr Hatfield: Yes, very. He was an able man, and had assisted me at concerts. - Witness, having perused a letter handed to him by the Coroner, said that in his opinion the letter was that of a man whose mind was temporarily deranged. - Thomas Tucker, foreman at Aller Mills, said deceased had seemed quieter during the last few days. - John Dart, Aller Mill-cottages, lorry driver, said deceased had seemed worried and strange during the last few weeks. - P.C. Rayner deposed to finding a letter left in deceased's writing desk addressed to his wife and daughter. - Coroner's Remarks. - Summing up, the Coroner thought it was quite obvious that the cause of death was a bullet wound inflicted by deceased himself during a time when he was not mentally responsible for his actions. He returned a verdict accordingly. The reason he had returned that verdict was that deceased left a letter addressed to his wife and daughter, a letter which he, in his discretion, considered ought not to be read in open Court. - "When one conducts these inquiries," said the Coroner, "one is to have some regard, at any rate, in my view, for the feelings of the poor bereaved people, who in addition to their bereavement have to go through the pain and agony such as this. Therefore the contents of the letter have not been made public. - I have seen it myself, as would, of course, a Jury, and I am perfectly satisfied in my opinion that at the time the late MR JUDD wrote the letter, which is of a most extraordinary and yet pathetic nature, he was not and could not have been in his right mind." - Expressing his hearty sympathy with MRS and MISS JUDD, Mr Hutchings mentioned that he was at school with the late MR JUDD. He had known deceased for many years as a very nice, kind, cheery type of Englishman, and it was personally a great sorrow to him that it was his duty to have to preside over the proceedings.

Western Morning News, Monday 8 October 1923
PLYMOUTH - Found Dead In Cot. Plymouth Mother's Sad Discovery. - A sad story was heard by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest on Saturday on the 13-months-old baby of MR and MRS W. H. SENIOR of 14 Radford-road, Plymouth. - The mother said that she left the baby in his cot whilst she took dinner to her husband, who was a Trinity House light keeper, and asked another woman who was in the house to look after the child if he woke up. When witness returned home she was told he had not made any noise and on going into the room where the cot was just after the mother found the child had slipped down to the foot of the cot and its head was between the cot and the mattress. - Dr G. H. Fisher was immediately sent for and found the child dead. The doctor said death was due to strangulation and a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 8 October 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Indigestion And Death. Sequel To Devonport Hairdresser's Heavy Supper. - "Natural Causes" was the verdict returned by Mr J. A. Pearce, the Devonport Coroner, at the Inquest held today on FREDERICK JOSEPH BOARD, (33), hairdresser, who resided at 4 Riverside, Saltash Passage, Devonport, and who died suddenly at his home on Friday night. - The widow, MRS BESSIE BOARD, stated that her husband returned home from business at 4 Tamar-road, Devonport, on Friday night, and after having supper retired to bed. About 11 o'clock he complained of pains in his stomach and went out, returning in a few minutes. Sitting down in a chair he complained that he could not breathe and was choking. Witness called for her mother, and they gave deceased some brandy, and afterwards sending for a doctor, but before he arrived BOARD had expired. Deceased had been under the care of Dr Brown for the past twelve months for a weak heart. - The Coroner said that death was due to heart disease accelerated by acute indigestion after a heavy supper.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 8 October 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Aged Widow's Death. Poor's Antipathy To Infirmary. "Unreasonable." - "There is no doubt about it the best place would have been the Ford House Infirmary. She would have been placed there some time ago had the son simply signified his consent," said Mr J. A. Pearce, the Devonport Coroner at an Inquest today. "His answer is that she did not want to go, but he could have insisted on it, as he very well could have done, and sent her to the Infirmary rather than allow her to wallow in the filth and dirt in which she was living. - There seems to be a most unreasonable antipathy amongst some poor people to send their relatives to Ford House Infirmary, because the infirmary happens to be situated within what used to be called the Workhouse precincts, but now is known as Ford House precincts." - A Separate Institution. - "I suppose that gives rise to the feeling I have mentioned, but, as a matter of fact, and I think it ought to be generally known, the Infirmary at Ford House is practically a distinct Institution entirely and separately staffed, and there ought to be no objection whatever on the part of poor people in sending aged relatives there who require treatment and attention which they cannot possibly get in the room in which they live outside," proceeded Mr Pearce in giving the verdict at the Inquest on MRS ROSINA HAWKEN, widow, who was found dead yesterday in the one room occupied by her at 59 Princes-street, Devonport. - Story Of A Fall. - ROBERT HAWKEN, a Plymouth Corporation labourer, who resides at 40 Cornwall-street, Devonport, said deceased, his mother, was 79 years of age. When he saw her last on Saturday night she appeared to be bright and well. She did not complain of anything. He visited her three times a day. - Witness stated that he had tried to get his mother to go to the Infirmary, but she refused. He heard that she had had a fall in the house on Tuesday, but he did not know that she had broken a rib. He agreed that he should have called someone to see his mother. She had never mentioned to him about pain as the result of her fall. There were times when witness could not understand his mother's speech. - Dead In Bed. - MRS HAWKEN, wife of the previous witness, stated that she attended deceased daily, and on calling at her room yesterday morning found her dead in bed. Earlier in the week deceased complained about pain in her shoulder as the result of a fall. - Mrs Luscombe, 58 Princes-street, said that deceased did not like anyone interfering with her. She also spoke of the attention given to deceased by the two former witnesses. After the son left on Saturday night witness heard deceased groaning, but she did not think much about it because the woman often moaned. - Dr McElwaine described the result of his post-mortem, which revealed the fact that deceased was suffering from considerable bruising on the right side and right arm, and there was a fracture of the fourth rib. In his opinion the cause of death was aortic valvular disease, accelerated by the injury through the fall. - After commending the deceased's son and daughter-in-law for their attention to her, and referring to the antipathy of some poor people to sending their relatives to the Infirmary, the Coroner returned a verdict in accordance with the evidence.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 10 October 1923
TORQUAY - Pensioner's Death. Tragic Occurrence At Torquay. - Mr Ernest Hutchings, Coroner, held an Inquest at Torquay yesterday on WILLIAM LEWIS ELLIS HARDING, of St Hilda's, Babbacombe-road, who died in Torbay Hospital on Monday. - MARY ELIZABETH HARDING, deceased's daughter, said her father, a naval pensioner, had an accident about two years ago, and had not been the same since. On Sunday evening he suddenly got up from his chair and walked to the kitchen. The next thing they noticed was that he had a razor in his hand. - "He was always afraid to die," said witness. "We should never have thought he would have done such a thing." - "As soon as her mother saw deceased's intention she ran to him to try and take the razor from him." - "I flew, but I suppose I ought to have stopped there," she continued. "I did not know what to do. I ran for Dr Ward and when I returned with him I went straight to my mother." She or her mother had never heard deceased say he would take his life. He had been very peculiar lately and childish in his manner. - Dr R. Ward, Babbacombe, said he found deceased seated in a chair with a cut across his throat. He was alive, and witness telephoned for an ambulance. He had previously attended MR HARDING, who was troubled with indigestion, but had no suicidal tendencies. On the previous Thursday he found him generally depressed. - Dr H. D. Lawson, House Surgeon at the Hospital, said deceased was admitted to the Institution with an incised wound in the neck, extending from below the right ear. The cut divided the windpipe and several vessels at the front of the neck. He also had a cut in the web between the thumb and the first finger. Deceased appeared to have had considerable haemorrhage and this, in addition to the shock of his injuries, caused death. - The Coroner said the wounds that had caused death had been self-inflicted in a moment when deceased was not mentally responsible for his action, and returned a verdict accordingly.

Western Morning News, Friday 12 October 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Unemployed Man's Tragic End At Devonport. - An Inquest was conducted by Mr J. A. Pearce at Devonport yesterday on GEORGE PEARN, aged 61, of Herbert-street, Devonport, who was found hanging in a shelter at Pottery Quay on Tuesday morning. Deceased was formerly a skilled labourer in the Dockyard, but of late had been unemployed. The widow said her husband had been depressed through failure to get work. He had had two accidents while working in the Dockyard, and had a small gratuity from the Government but no pension. - Richard Bilsborough said he found deceased hanging by a rope around his neck. He cut him down and tried artificial respiration and sent for the Police. Dr McElwaine said life was extinct when he arrived. - A verdict of "Suicide while of Unsound Mind" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 15 October 1923
TAMERTON FOLIOT - Sensation At Tamerton. Woman's Shocking Death. Groundless Tales. - On returning home from his work in the fields shortly after one o'clock on Saturday, JOHN HENRY ELLIS, a farmer, of North Broadley Farm, Tamerton Foliot, was told by his little son, aged 6, that his wife had locked herself in an upstairs room. - Going upstairs the farmer burst open the door of the bedroom and found his wife, ALICE ANNIE ELLIS, aged 34, lying on the floor dead, with a terrible wound in the head caused by a double-barrelled sporting gun, which was lying across the body. - The Inquest. - Mr A. G. Johnstone, Coroner, Inquired into the circumstances of the death today. - The evidence showed that the deceased, who was of a nervous and depressed disposition and had been medically attended for neurasthenia. She had recently been removed to a Plymouth Nursing Home from which she returned about a fortnight or three weeks ago. - ELLIS was questioned at length by the Coroner and members of the Jury on the on the subject of his relations with his wife. He denied that he had ever laid his hands upon her in anger. - Asked whether it would not have been better had he had someone to look after his wife during the time he was at work, ELLIS replied that the deceased would not have a stranger in the house. - Neighbourly Action. - A neighbour, Mrs Bessie Chambers, who said that during the past four months she had paid daily visits to the deceased with the intention of banishing her depression, stated that the deceased had been left some articles by her sister, who had died in April, and the sight of these things about the house had worried her. Her sister's death had been a great shock to her. - Verdict. - The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during Temporary Insanity," and the Coroner and Jury thought it would have been better if ELLIS, knowing the state of his wife's health, had had someone to look after her. - Value Of Publicity. - The Coroner said he was glad the evidence had been taken fully in order that the stories and rumours which had gained credence locally should be investigated. The Jury were satisfied that these rumours were not well founded.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 15 October 1923
WESTMINSTER, LONDON - Shrapnel In The Brain. Plymothian's Death In London. From War Wounds. - The sad story of a Plymouth master printer, who died in London on Friday after living for years with a piece of shrapnel in his brain, was told at Westminster today, when Mr Ingleby Oddie held an Inquest on PERCY HAROLD ADLARD, 47, of Thorn Park, Plymouth, whose death took place in a Nursing Home in Vincent-square, Westminster. - MR WALTER ADLARD, a paper merchant, of New House, King's Norton, Birmingham, a brother, said that his brother served in France with the 11th Fusiliers and received a number of wounds, including one in the head, the result of an explosion of a trench mortar. - He came to a London Hospital, and the shrapnel came out all over him. He returned to Plymouth and resumed his business interests, and seemed in very good health. Later he suffered from depression and nervousness and two and a half years after that his illness became so acute that an operation was performed in Plymouth on September 25th last. - Surgeon's Evidence. - Mr Percy Sargent, of Harley-street, said he performed the operation at Plymouth. MR ADLARD was suffering from an abscess on the brain., A radiogram showed a piece of shrapnel in the brain, and witness performed the operation to remove the pressure. - A further radiogram was taken in London, which showed that the abscess was still there. Another operation was performed which was successful, but the patient died on Friday. Death would have been inevitable without an operation. - Dr Henry Bright Weir, pathologist, who made a post-mortem examination, produced a fragment of shrapnel which he had found half-way down the brain. Death was due to cerebral abscess. Deceased was suffering from the presence of a piece of shrapnel in the brain. - The Coroner recorded a verdict that deceased died as the result of wounds received in warfare.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 16 October 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - The sudden death on Sunday of a Devonport widow, formed the subject of Inquiry by the Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce yesterday afternoon, on the body of MRS JANE WARSAW, aged 46, the widow of an able seaman in the Navy, who resided with her niece, Miss Margaret Lenly, of 23 Charlotte-street. It was stated that whilst out on Saturday evening she was taken unwell and had to be assisted to her house. When put to bed she seemed better and more comfortable but shortly after midnight she was taken much worse and died before Dr R. J. Flemming arrived at the house. - Dr Flemming said a post-mortem examination revealed the fact that death was due to congestion of the lungs accelerated by valvular disease of the heart, and a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 16 October 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, held an Inquest into the death of MRS ELIZABETH SKINNER, widow of a naval pensioner, who lived by herself in a room at the top of 39a St John-street, and was found dead in her bed by her daughter, also a widow, and who resided in the floor below, shortly after midday on Sunday. Dr McElwaine ascribed death to a rupture of the aneurism of the heart.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 19 October 1923
EAST STONEHOUSE - Stonehouse Tragedy. Suicide Of A Pensioner Who Fought At Jutland. - At an Inquest held this afternoon on the body of FREDERICK GEORGE WAKEHAM, aged 43, a naval pensioner of 4 St Paul's-street, Stonehouse, the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, found that deceased committed suicide by cutting his throat whilst Temporarily Insane. - The widow said that at 9.30 a.m. her husband accompanied her to the 'bus when she left for Plympton. He was then in his usual health, and said he would follow by the midday motor. She did not see him again. She returned at 6.30 p.m. and found the kitchen door locked. She made inquiries, and later, about 9.30, with two neighbours, forced the door and found him lying on the floor with his throat cut and a razor, which was broken and bloodstained, was by his side. - He was in the battle of Jutland, and since then his nerves had been very bad. He had never threatened to commit suicide. - Dr T. Noy Leah said death was due to a wound in the throat, which, in his opinion, was self-inflicted.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 23 October 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Plymouth Child's Unusual Death. - Giving evidence at an Inquest conducted by Mr J. A. Pearce yesterday on ERIC JAMES MAURICE MILDREN, the two-months-old son of IRENE MILDREN, a domestic servant of Monument-street, Devonport, Dr T. McElwaine said it was a most unusual case. The death of the child was due to a tumour on the left side of the heart wall, which had penetrated the lower part of the wall of the left ventricle. He had never seen the like of it before, and he did not expect ever to see it again. The heart was very large, weighing three ounces. The child, he said, could not have lived. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 30 October 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Death In Picture Palace. Devonport Pensioner's Sudden End. - The tragic end of a middle-aged naval pensioner, who was taken ill while visiting a picture house on Friday night, was related at the Inquest held yesterday at the Royal Albert Hospital by the Devonport Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce. - Mrs Emma Blake, a widow of Charlotte-row, Devonport, said that the deceased, WILLIAM PHILLIP PASSMORE, had resided at her house for the past 18 years. As far as she knew, he had no relatives alive and for the past eight years had received no letters from any member of his family. She understood that he had a brother and sister, who resided in the country, but did not know their address. Deceased had been a pensioner for two years, during which time he had had two seizures, being attended by a doctor on each occasion. Mrs Blake saw him for the last time on Friday night, when she saw him go off to the pictures. - Alfred William Hamilton, 36 St Aubyn-street, Devonport, commissionaire, employed at the Morice Town Picture House, said that on Friday night, after the public had left the hall, his attention was called to the deceased, who was seated in a chair, apparently asleep. Attempts to rouse him failed and it was seen that deceased was very ill, and had lost the use both of his speech and legs. He was removed. - In accordance with the evidence of Dr B. H. Stribling, House Surgeon at the Hospital, who made a post-mortem examination, a verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 2 November 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Ex-Navy Steward's Sudden Death. - Found last evening by his cousin, with whom he lived at 18 Cannon-street, Devonport, lying unconscious at the bottom of the stairs at that house, JAMES HENRY EVANS, 65, a former officer's steward in the Royal Navy, was the subject of an Inquest by Mr J. A. Pearce, the Devonport Coroner, this morning, when Dr Curtain, who was called to the house last night, said death was due to syncope from pneumonia of the right lung.

Western Morning News, Wednesday 7 November 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was recorded by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, yesterday, at the Inquest on MRS SARAH JANE SUSANS, 70, of 149 Grenville-road, who died on Sunday after being taken ill the previous day.

Western Morning News, Thursday 8 November 1923
CHRISTOW - Shooting Fatality. Inquest On Christow Foreman Timber Feller. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned at the Inquest yesterday on GEORGE FUTER, a foreman of timber felling under the Forestry Commission, whose dead body was found in a plantation near Ashton, on Saturday. - MRS FUTER, of Canonteign Cottage, Christow, the widow, said her husband had told her that he was going rabbiting on the Saturday afternoon. He took his gun and dogs with him when he left home. - John James Berry, master baker, of Exeter, said he was in the vicinity of Haldon, where he held shooting rights, on Saturday, and found deceased's dead body lying along the top of a hedge. There was a gunshot wound behind the left ear. The gun was lying on the other side of the hedge, and deceased's two dogs were standing beside it. - Dr Walters, of Chudleigh, said from examination he should say the wound in deceased's head was inflicted accidentally. There were springs in the hedge which might easily have caught in the trigger of the gun as deceased was getting over. - Mr T. J. W. Templeman, who appeared for the Treasury, said the department was sorry to lose a valued official. Everything in regard to deceased's accounts was in order. - P.S. Real, of Chudleigh, mentioned that deceased was a special constable for Christow. On behalf of the Police he expressed sympathy with the widow.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 12 November 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Fatality. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the Devonport Coroner, Mr J. A. Pearce, this morning at an Inquest on the body of MRS REBECCA FRENCH, widow, aged 75 years, living at 35 James-street, who was found dead on the floor of her room by another tenant residing in the same house yesterday morning. - MRS FRENCH had been feeling unwell last week, but on Saturday evening seemed quite comfortable. Dr T. McElwaine said that death was due to syncope due to pneumonia of the left lung accelerated by old age.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 15 November 1923
PLYMOUTH - Fowey Woman's Death. Following Operation At Plymouth Hospital. - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, today at an Inquest on ETHEL LIBBY, of Higher Pont Cottage, Lanteglos, near Fowey, who died at the Homeopathic Hospital on Tuesday. - JOSEPH HENRY LIBBY, docker, said his wife was 33 years of age. She was taken ill about three weeks ago, and on the doctor's orders she was removed to Hospital, being admitted on Sunday. Witness had received a wire asking permission to extract his wife's teeth, to which he consented. On Tuesday, about 4 p.m. he was informed that this had been done, and that she was comfortable. About 6 p.m. the same day he had a telegram to say that his wife was worse. She died before he arrived at the Hospital. - Dr Lang Hodge stated that MRS LIBBY was admitted to the Hospital on the 11th instant suffering from cerebral tumour. Two days later six lower septic teeth were extracted. The extraction was quite successful and deceased came around without any unusual symptoms. Witness had made previous arrangements with Dr Wordley to make a spinal puncture with a view to ascertaining the nature of the growth. Such a slight operation, Dr Hodge pointed out, was usually performed without the use of an anaesthetic, but as MRS LIBBY was rather fractious and witness was afraid that while the needle was in she might make some movements, possibly causing it to be broken, it was decided to give her a small quantity of open ether. Six teaspoonfuls were given in all. - Corroborative evidence was given by Dr Eric Wordley, who assisted Dr Lang Hodge. The cause of death was a purely natural one.

Western Morning News, Friday 16 November 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Fall Down A Ladder. Plympton Man Killed At Devonport Dockyard. - Mr J. A Pearce returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" at the Inquest at Devonport Dockyard yesterday on CHARLES HENRY ROOKE, 47, of 23 Stone Barton, Plympton, engine driver, employed in a fleet coaling vessel, who slipped and fell while ascending a ladder in the basin at the South Yard on Tuesday afternoon and sustained fatal injuries. - Mr K. E. Peck watched the proceedings for the Admiralty and Mr W. E. Harding, Inspector of Factories, was also present. - The widow, MRS ROOKE, said her husband was a naval pensioner. When he left home to go to work he was in his usual health. His eyesight was good and he never complained of feeling dizzy. - Albert Edward Jago, master of the coaling vessel in which deceased was employed, said the craft was at her moorings and ROOKE left the ship in a steamboat which entered No. 1 basin. As witness was going up one ladder from the boat he saw deceased going up another. Deceased was preceded by one man and there was another immediately behind him. When witness was about 9 ft. up the ladder he heard someone shout and found that ROOKE had fallen into a boat which lay alongside the wall. They landed in the basin because the weather was boisterous. - Ladder Not Suitable. - Henry J. Bostick, second engineer of the oiler Thermol, said he was landing from the outer into the inner boat and noticed deceased on the ladder in front of him about 9 to 12 ft. up. The ladder was full of men ascending at the time and he observed deceased fall backwards into the well of the boat, his head striking the seating. In his opinion the ladder was not suitable for a party of men to go up at one time; it was all right for one man. - Surg.-Com. Wm. E. Gribbell, R.N., said deceased had a wound about an inch long about two inches above the junction of the head and neck. The cause of death was fracture of the base of the skull. Death was instantaneous. - The Coroner said there was a question whether the ladder on which the men were ascending was sufficiently safe for the purpose. It was a boisterous afternoon and raining hard and one witness had expressed criticism that the ladders should be confined to one man at a time. He was satisfied that death was purely accidental.

Western Morning News, Saturday 17 November 1923
PLYMOUTH - Found Drowned At Plymouth. - "Found Drowned" was the verdict of the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest yesterday on FREDERICK JOHN FARLEY, aged 27, of Charles Cottages, Wyndham-street, Plymouth. - Evidence was given that deceased left his home on October 26th in his usual health and had not been seen since. He was found under the Hoe, and according to medical evidence had been in the water 21 days, death being due to drowning.

Western Morning News, Saturday 17 November 1923
PLYMOUTH - "Accidental Death" was the verdict of the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, at an Inquest on ELIZA PERKINS, aged 84, of 67 Cambridge-street, Plymouth, who died on November 14 at the Plymouth Infirmary as a result of a fall at her home on November 1.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 20 November 1923
PAIGNTON - Paignton Tragedy. Bereavement And Business Difficulties. - The Inquest was held at Paignton yesterday on the bodies of ROBERT JOHN GORDON HORNERSWELL ALLEN and DOROTHY WINIFRED, his wife, who were the victims of the tragic occurrence at Marldon. - ARCHIBALD GEORGE MORGAN, master mariner, Torquay, said the deceased man was his brother-in-law and about 37 years of age, and the wife was 29. He described the discovery of the bodies, the husband being seated in a chair behind his wife. The latter had been shot in the back of the head and the husband in the forehead. Prior to the occurrence there had been nothing about them to attract his attention. He understood that they were leaving the house because it had been sold. - In further evidence it was stated that the deceased man's relatives knew of no financial difficulties. On the Monday previous to the tragedy their only child died in Hospital, and according to the father-in-law, the husband and wife had been "torn to pieces" ever since the event. - Evidence was also given by a representative of the Official Receiver's office, who stated that ALLEN had filed his own petition and had undergone a preliminary examination, declaring that his unsecured liabilities were £1,500 and his assets £330. - A verdict that the wife was shot by her husband and that the husband then shot himself at a time when he was not responsible for his actions was returned.

Western Evening Herald, Friday 23 November 1923
PLYMOUTH - Schoolboy's Fate. Death On Playing Field At Plymouth. - A boy's death after a game of football was described at the Inquest at Plymouth yesterday on FRANK RICH, aged 16, a Corporation Grammar School scholar. - F. E. Saunders, a school-fellow of deceased, said RICH, while standing near witness in the Grammar School playing field on Wednesday, suddenly fell forward on his face unconscious. RICH had been playing football half an hour previously, but had not over-exerted himself. - Dr C.G. L. McHardy, House Surgeon at the South Devon and East Cornwall Hospital, said the lad was dead when admitted. The game of football had nothing whatever to do with the tragedy. Deceased was suffering from a very rare complaint, which always made its presence known suddenly and ended fatally. - Mr C. W. Bracken, head master of the Corporation Grammar School, said RICH was apparently a big, strong, health lad.- Verdict, "Natural Causes."

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 8 December 1923
PLYMOUTH - A verdict of "Natural Causes" was returned by the Plymouth Coroner this morning, after Inquiry into the circumstances attending the sudden death on Thursday evening of MRS ELIZABETH ANNE GARDNER, aged 68, wife of a naval pensioner, residing at 35 Old-road, Laira. MRS GARDNER had gone to bed apparently well, when she suddenly expired. Dr W. D. Stamp attributed death to fatty degeneration of the heart.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 11 December 1923
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Woman's Death During Operation. - Heart failure during an operation was the cause of the death of MRS MARTHA BRADBURY, of Short Park-road, Plymouth, the wife of a Plymouth schoolmaster, according to Dr S. Vosper, who gave evidence at the Inquest yesterday. - Dr Vosper said the woman's heart was tested and found satisfactory before the operation began, and it was nearly completed when she suddenly expired. - The Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence.

Western Morning News, Saturday 15 December 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Tribute To Devonport Cab Proprietor. - After recording a verdict in accordance with medical evidence, Mr J. A. Pearce, Coroner, at an Inquest yesterday on JOHN CANN, aged 68, cab proprietor of 52 Tavistock-road, Devonport, extended sympathy to the family, saying he had known deceased for 30 years. He was a man of the old-fashioned type, was very well known in the town and was highly respected by everyone who knew him. - Deceased was taken ill while visiting his stable and was brought home and put to bed, but died during the afternoon. - Dr J. Ingram attributed death to syncope due to acute pneumonia.

Western Morning News, Monday 17 December 1923
PLYMOUTH - Plymouth Cook's Fatal Fall. - A verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned by the Plymouth Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, on Saturday at an Inquest on MARGARET HOOPER, aged 67, spinster, a cook, employed by Miss Dallas at Moorfield House, Seymour-road, who fell downstairs on Thursday. - Miss Margaret Dallas said deceased was going downstairs at about 6.20 a.m. and slipped. No one actually saw her fall, but deceased was found a few moments later. Death had occurred before the doctor's arrival. - Dr Y. B. Young attributed death to a fractured skull.

Western Morning News, Tuesday 18 December 1923
SOUTH BRENT - At an Inquest at South Brent on STEPHEN HENRY MATTHEWS, aged four, who met his death by the upsetting of hot water, a verdict of "Accidental Death" was returned, the Coroner, Mr Edmonds, exonerating everyone from blame.

Western Evening Herald, Tuesday 18 December 1923
PLYMOUTH - Convalescent's Death. Fatal Attack During Afternoon Walk. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr J. Graves, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" at an Inquest at the Mortuary today on JAMES JASPER, aged 57, of 34 Mason-street, Torpoint. - Mr J. H. Bone, porter at the Pearn Convalescent Home, Hartley, said that deceased entered the Home on the 12th inst., and on the 15th was allowed out for half-a-day. During the afternoon witness received a telephone message saying that a patient named JASPER had been taken ill at Compton. He went to fetch deceased who died five minutes after arriving at the Home. - Medical evidence was given that death was due to heart disease.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 20 December 1923
EAST STONEHOUSE - Death From Tetanus. Due To Accident Or Teeth Extraction? - A Naval Pensioner. - At an Inquest held at the Royal Naval Hospital, Stonehouse, Plymouth, by Mr John Graves, Deputy Coroner, on the body of RUPERT O'CARROLL, who died at the Royal Naval Hospital, on December 19, the verdict was in accordance with the doctor's evidence, which was to the effect that death was due to tetanus. - Deceased was a naval pensioner, 49 years of age, living at 22 Holsworth-street, Plymouth. He had been engaged as a labourer at the Devonport Dockyard. On or about November 30 last he came home at the dinner hour and showed his wife two injured fingers, which were bound up. He said they had been jammed that morning whilst at work in the Dockyard. On December 15 deceased entered the Naval Hospital and died on the 17th from tetanus. - Edwin James Scott, chargeman, H.M. Dockyard, 34 Wolseley-road, Plymouth, said deceased was engaged with other men lifting a heavy weight, when he suddenly complained that he had injured his left hand. Witness saw that two of his fingers were crushed. - Doctor's Evidence. - Dr Joseph Roland Brennan, stationed at the R.N. Hospital, said when deceased was admitted he was suffering from symptoms of tetanus, for which he was treated. He had healed wounds on the left hand. They had been properly dressed. Tetanus symptoms rapidly developed, from which he died. - Deceased had two teeth extracted on the 10th December. Tetanus had been known to result through teeth extraction under a local anaesthetic, as, of course, from other abrasions of the skin. He could not definitely say that deceased's death was due to tetanus as the result of the injury to the fingers.

Western Morning News, Friday 21 December 1923
PLYMOUTH - Waking up in the night with a fit of coughing, ALFRED GEORGE BRAGG, aged 46, a naval pensioner, of Wolsdon-street, Plymouth, died before a doctor could be fetched. At the Inquest Dr Waterfield said death was due to a broken blood-vessel. Verdict accordingly.

Western Evening Herald, Saturday 22 December 1923
EAST STONEHOUSE - A Fatal Scratch. Devonport Shipwright's Death. Inquest Verdict. - The Deputy Coroner, Mr J. Graves, conducted an Inquest on MELCHIZEDIC HOCKING KYMBRELL, 11 Lambert-street, Devonport, a shipwright in the Dockyard, who died on Thursday in the Royal Naval Hospital as the result of injuring a finger. - Evidence was given to show that deceased was working at some soil pipes in the Dockyard last Saturday morning, when he scratched his finger. Deceased considered the scratch as trivial and worked up to midday. - He returned to work on Monday morning, and about 9 o'clock went to the Dockyard surgery, but did not return to work again. - Surgeon Commander Kenneth Hill Hole, stated that KYMBRELL was admitted to the Naval Hospital on Thursday suffering from sepsis in the left hand following a slight wound in the first finger, as the result of which he died the same day. He was also suffering from pneumonia of both lungs. - "Natural Causes" was the verdict returned.

Western Morning News, Monday 24 December 1923
TORQUAY - Torquay Tragedy. Woman's Pathetic Letter To Husband. - "This is one of the saddest cases I have yet dealt with," remarked Mr Ernest Hutchings; the Coroner, at the Inquest on Saturday on MRS ALICE MERRIFIELD, of 47 Pennsylvania-road, Torquay, who was found hanging from a hook at the back of the kitchen door of her home with a child's binder around her neck. - A long and pathetic letter written by deceased to her husband was referred to by MR MERRIFIELD, who said his wife was aged 29. Extracts from one letter were as follows:- "My dear darling and true husband, you have been the best and kindest husband and devoted daddy to our darling babies.... I have been bad on the top of my head for so long now. It has worried me, for I am sure it is my brain. I was hoping it would be better after our darling little girl was born. I have had attacks since you went to work this morning. May the Lord help me." - Toys For The Children. - Witness said when he left his wife she appeared to be in good health and quite happy. "During breakfast," he added, "she was talking about the Christmas shopping and the purchasing of some toys for the children." - Miss Winifred Perrin, 10 Hoxton-road, spoke of finding deceased standing with her back to the kitchen door, with a cloth tied around her neck. - Dr J. McAlpine Scott said death was due to strangulation, while Dr Fredk. T. Thistle, said prior to her confinement on November 22 deceased was suffering from mental depression. - Returning a verdict that "Deceased died through Strangulation caused by her own act at a moment when she was Temporarily Insane," Mr Hutchings said it was obvious that deceased was a victim of melancholia, a disease which was peculiar in the fact that its victims always kept their troubles - and often they were imaginary troubles - to themselves, until they thought there was a way out by doing such an act as deceased had.

Western Evening Herald, Monday 24 December 1923
PLYMOUTH - Sequel to Pensioner's Injured Throat. - The death in Greenbank House, Plymouth, of GEORGE COOPER, 71, army pensioner, formed the subject of an Inquest by the Borough Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, this morning. - From the evidence it appeared the deceased had been treated by Dr Millicent Fox for chronic bronchitis, leaving her care on November 16th. On the following day he was found by an attendant at the Soldiers' Home, Union-street, with a gash in his throat. A doctor was summoned and deceased was readmitted to Greenbank House, where his death occurred from chronic bronchitis accelerated by the injury to his throat. The verdict was "Natural Causes."

Western Evening Herald, Monday 24 December 1923
EAST STONEHOUSE - Heart Disease. - The Coroner, Mr R. B. Johns, returned a verdict of "Death from Natural Causes" at an Inquest this morning on JAMES SHOPLAND, a naval pensioner, aged 70. His widow, who resides at 64 High-street, Stonehouse, stated that when her husband went to bed on Saturday night he gave three gasps and passed away. - Dr W. H. Waterfield attributed death to syncope from old-standing heart disease.

Western Evening Herald, Thursday 27 December 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - Devonport Child's Death. - "Death by Natural Causes" was the verdict of the Deputy Coroner, Mr A. Gard, at an Inquest at Ker-street, Devonport, this morning on EDITH MARGARET JONES, aged two months. - The mother of the child, MRS ALICE MARIA CAROLINE JONES, wife of GEORGE JONES, a sergeant, living in the married quarters at South Raglan Barracks, said deceased was one of twins born on October 6. At birth the child only weighed 4 lbs. 2 ozs. During the night on the 24th instant it gave a slight gasp and expired almost immediately. - Dr Curtain found death to be due to double pneumonia.

Western Morning News, Saturday 29 December 1923
STOKE DAMEREL - GEORGE CHARLES GRYLLS, 63, a shoemaker, of 2 Granby-place, Devonport, complained to his wife on Boxing-day morning of feeling unwell and subsequently grew worse, necessitating his removal to the Royal Albert Hospital, where his death occurred on Thursday. - A post mortem examination revealed death to have been due to acute intestinal obstruction and at the Inquest yesterday, Mr J. A. Peace, Coroner, recorded a verdict of "Natural Causes."