Wiltshire Times 23 June 1906 (page 7)

SUDDEN DEATH: INQUEST.
A painful sensation was caused on Monday when it became known that an old and respected member of the community had suddenly passed away in the person of Mr. W. Cornish, of Birchanger, at the age of 63. An inquest was held at the residence of the deceased on Tuesday, before the Coroner (Mr. F. A. P. Sylvester), Mr. W. E. Staniford, of the Duke Inn, being chosen as foreman of the jury. The first witness was Mrs. Cornish, widow, who deposed that her husband usually enjoyed excellent health and was quite well on the previous day, also that he awoke and spoke to her about 5.30 a.m. on Monday, and shortly after expired, apparently in his sleep. She called her son and sent at once for the doctor. The remaining witnesses were the son (Mr. H. Cornish) who corroborated his mother's evidence, and Dr. E. T. Shorland, of Westbury, who stated that in his opinion death was due to syncope from heart failure.—The jury, in giving their verdict in accordance with the medical testimony, gave expression to their sympathy with the deceased's wife and family.

Mr. Cornish, who was an old resident in Bratton, was much respected, and expressions of regret and sympathy with his family are universal. He was a staunch Churchman, and had been a church-warden for over five years, having been appointed to that office upon the death of Mr. J. Hurle. He was also a manager of the National School.

SUDDEN DEATH.
We regret to announce the death of Mr. William Cornish, which took place suddenly on Monday morning at his residence at Birchanger Farm. Deceased was widely known and respected in the district, and his loss will be felt by a large circle of friends. As a churchwarden of seven years’ standing, and a member of the School Management Committee, he has done good service for the parish. Great sympathy is felt for the widow and family in their bereavement, their loss being the more acute on account of its suddenness.—An inquest was held on Tuesday at the residence of deceased, by Mr. F. A. P. Sylvester, coroner.—Eliza Cornish, widow, stated that deceased was sixty-three years of age. He enjoyed very good health, and had not been under a doctor for years. He had never been better in his life than on Sunday. The last time a doctor been attended him was for spasms. He had not complained of pains after meals, and had taken no medicine for a long time. He had supper with her on Sunday evening, and slept well during the night. At 5.30 on Monday morning the alarm clock ran down, and deceased said, “Mother, the alarm has run down.” He did not attempt to get up, and she thought he slept again, but just afterwards she heard a peculiar noise in his throat, and on looking at him saw that something was the matter. She took hold of his hand and spoke to him, but received no answer. She then called her son, and said she believed his father had gone. She then sent for the doctor. She moistened his lips with brandy, but he was dead. His face had turned a little purple.—Harry Cornish, son of deceased, said he was with deceased on Sunday, when he appeared to be in his usual health. He heard nothing unusual in the night. His mother called him about six o’clock in the morning.—Dr. E. T. Shorland stated that he had not seen deceased professionally before. He had seen the body, upon which there were no marks. He attributed death to syncope and heart failure. At that time in the morning vitality was at its lowest ebb.—The Coroner, addressing the jury, said that the circumstances attending the case were such as they would not consider called for a post-mortem examination. As the medical witness had told them, at that hour vitality was at its very lowest ebb. Deceased had suffered from a weak heart, and the shock of a sudden awakening by the clock had no doubt proved too much for the heart in its feeble condition. They would doubtless have noticed the number of deaths which took place at that time in the morning.—The verdict of the jury was that death was due to heart failure and syncope. The Foreman said that the jurymen had asked him to express their sympathy with the widow and family of deceased in their bereavement.—The Coroner: No doubt Mrs. Cornish and family will derive considerable comfort from that expression of sympathy.
The funeral took place on Thursday afternoon, the Vicar of Westbury (Rev. W. T. B. Hayter) conducting the service in the Parish Church. The chief mourners were Mrs. Cornish (widow), Ernest Cornish (son) and Mrs. E. Cornish, Percy Cornish (son), Harry Cornish (son), Clem Cornish (son), Mrs. Scull (daughter) and Mr. Scull, Bessie Cornish (daughter), Florence Powell (daughter) and Mr. Powell, Rose Cornish (daughter), Eva Cornish (daughter), C. Jones (son-in-law), Mark Cornish (brother), Mr. E. Scull, sen., and Mr. Frank Marsh. The church was well filled by a sympathetic congregation of friends and principal inhabitants of the village. A great number of beautiful wreaths were deposited on the grave by relatives and friends.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​