| Note* | 8 JUN 1926 | He was found to have suffered PTSD at his death.
"North Devon Journal, Thursday 10 June 1926 MARTIN - Tragic Death Of Combe Martin Resident. Farewell Letter To Wife. - Gloom was cast over Combe Martin on Sunday morning when HENRY THOMAS LOCK, 34, an ex-soldier, was discovered dead with his head in a gas oven at the house of his father-in-law. Deceased, who left a pathetic farewell note to his wife, hoping that she, who had been very good to him, would forgive the act he was about to commit, has suffered from acute neurasthenia, and on account of this had been discharged from the Royal Engineers - a corps in which he had held the rank of Sergeant. For some time he and his wife and two small children had been residing with his father-in-law at Budd Cottage, Buzzacott-road, Combe Martin, and it was here the tragic discovery was made. - Mr G. W. F. Brown, County Coroner for North Devon, conducted an Inquest on the body on Monday, when MRS JESSIE LOCK, the widow, stated deceased had been depressed of late and although under the care of Dr Manning, of Combe Martin, did not seem to get any better. He slept alone and on Sunday morning about eight o'clock he was found in the back kitchen with his head in the gas oven. A pillow was under his head and an eiderdown quilt over his body, whilst all the gas jets had been turned on and a tube from a gas ring near his head. He had never threatened to take his life before, although he had sometimes wished himself dead. His illness seemed to be more than he could bear. - ALFRED JEWELL, brother-in-law of deceased, said LOCK took no interest in life. - Dr Manning of Combe Martin, in his evidence, referred to his attending deceased ever since his discharge from the Army. He (witness) was called on Sunday morning at about 8 o'clock and found deceased in the yard at the back of the kitchen. He had been dead a few hours, death, in his opinion, being due to gas poisoning. LOCK worried a lot - some days he was better, others very bad. He had never said anything to witness about self-destruction. - The Coroner: The man who says he is going to never does. - A verdict of "Suicide whilst of Unsound Mind," was returned by Mr Brown. on 8 JUN 1926.6 |
