The Langport and Somerton Herald 21 Jun 1930 Inquest Drowning Obituary Edward John MALE Fivehead

The Langport and Somerton Herald, Jun 21 1930

ILE BREWERS DROWNING FATALITY.

FIVEHEAD YOUNG MAN'S SAD END.

THE RISK OF BATHING ALONE.

A verdict of "Death by misadventure" was returned at an inquest held in respect of the death of Mr. Edward John Male (20), of Fivehead, who was drowned whilst bathing in the River Ile on Friday evening of last week.

After having a good hot supper deceased went alone to bathe in the river, although it is understood he was unable to swim. Alarm was not occasioned until after midnight when his cycle was discovered inside the gate of the field from which the villagers usually bathe. A search was then made which led to the man's body being discovered at the bottom of the river, in over seven foot of water. The young man's clothes were lying on the bank. At the spot where he entered the river the water is only about five feet in depth.

THE INQUEST.

The inquest was conducted by the district coroner (Mr. G. P. Clarke) sitting with a jury at the Westport Inn, Westport on Monday morning. Mr. C. M. Hallett was chosen foreman of the jury.

BROTHER'S EVIDENCE.

Edward Ivor Male (warehouseman), a brother of the deceased, said that on Friday evening at about 5.40 p.m. his brother, who was a farm labourer, left home to go bathing in the River Ile at Ile Brewers, about 1½ miles from Fivehead. Before deceased left he had a good hot supper, consisting of roast pork and potatoes. The family retired to bed at about 10.40 p.m., but witness kept awake for some time because his brother had not returned. Witness got up again at about 2.30 a.m. and on going to the bicycle shed found that his brother's cycle was missing. After informing Mr. Bert Adams he went to the field from which his brother usually bathed and found the bicycle. A search was made but no trace of the deceased could be found and witness returned home. He visited the field again later and found deceased's clothes on the bank and a shot distance away discovered the body lying face downwards in the water. "My brother could not swim to my knowledge" continued witness. "I have seen him bathe, but I have never seen him swim."

The Coroner: I think we can say he could not swim then.

Questioned by the Coroner witness said there was a shallow spot in the river where the deceased entered the water, but there were several holes near there in the bed of the river.

The Coroner: There are no obstructions in the stream, nothing in which he could have got entangled? - No sir.

There are no currents in the stream ? - Only the flow of the water.

SAW DECEASED'S CYCLE IN FIELD

Bertie William Adams (thatcher) stated that when returning from his work at Barrington shortly after 6 o'clock on Friday evening, he saw a bicycle, which he recognised as belonging to the deceased beside the gate of the field where the villagers usually bathed. He looked over the hedge but saw no one about. When called in the early morning he informed the previous witness of what he had seen.

P.C. BLICK'S EVIDENCE.

P.C. Blick, of Puckington, gave evidence of being called at 4.30 a.m. on Saturday to visit the spot. When he arrived the body was lying face downwards in the water.

At this juncture the Coroner inquired the depth of the water and one of the juryman mentioned that he had measured and found that if was between 5 and 6 feet in the hole. He was of the opinion that the water would have been about a foot higher than that on the day previous.

Continuing, the constable said the body was recovered by Messrs. Brice and L. Taylor, neither of whom were able to stand in the hole. When the body was on the bank he made an examination but could find no marks of violence, and death appeared to have taken place some hours before.

The Coroner re-called the first witness asking "What time did your brother usually return after these bathing trips?" - He usually returned between half past eight and nine o'clock to bring his towel in, but would go out into the village afterwards and come home again about ten or eleven o'clock.

Summing up the Coroner mentioned that there were several holes or pools at various places in the river, where the water must have been six or seven feet in depth. It appeared that the deceased was unable to swim and by some means or other he himself must have got out of his depth.

The jury returned a verdict of "Death by misadventure, and the Coroner and jurymen expressed sympathy with the bereaved relatives.

THE FUNERAL.

The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon at Fivehead Church, the Vicar, the Rev. G. H. Bode officiating. A large number of parishioners and friends attended the service, paying a last tribute of respect to one whose untimely end removed him when on the threshold of life, and to express their sympathy with his bereaved parents. The hymn "Brief life is here our portion" was included in the service and the organist, Miss Thomas, played suitable music as the cortege entered and left the church.

The mourners were: Mr. and Mrs. G. Male (father and mother), Mr. Ivor Male and Miss Hilda Male, Mr. Tom Male and Miss Carrie Male and Mr. Joe Male (brothers and sisters), Miss Minnie Chaplin (friend), Mr. S. Burge (Curry Rivel) and Mr. H. Male (uncles), Mrs. Sarah Chorley (Curry Mallet), Mrs. S. Burge, Mrs. H. Male and Mrs. A. Burge (aunts), Mr. Hubert Burge Misses Dorothy and Rose Burge, Miss Ethel Chorley and Mr. Frank Bawler (cousins).

Amongst those who attended the service were Mr. W. A. Key Matterson, Capt. C. A. Key Matterson, Mrs. C. M. Hallet (wife of deceased's employer) and Mr. Newman, senr.

The bearers, friends of the deceased, who wore white gloves and bows, were: Messrs. Cyril Evans, Leonard Taylor (Ile Brewers), Stanley Keitch (Swell), Stanley Brunt (Beercrocombe), Frank Amor and Bert Adams (Fivehead).

Mr. W. White, of Taunton, carried out the funeral arrangements. The coffin was of polished elm with heavy brass fittings.

There were 64 beautiful floral tributes, including a large cross from the family.

Later in the day a muffled peal was rung on the church bells.

 

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