SOUTHPORT VISITER JANUARY 2, 1917
SOLDIER’S SUICIDE.
TRAGIC DISCOVERY IN SOUTHPORT BILLET.
Pte. Ewart E. Sadler, belonging to Eccles, aged 18 years, was found at an early hour yesterday morning dead, with his throat cut, in his bedroom at a house in Anchor-street, where he was billeted. Two other soldiers slept in the same bedroom, and it is stated that a thud was heard about four o’clock, but the men were so used to hearing rifles fall that no attention was paid to the noise. Sadler was lying dead on the floor, and there was a razor near the body.
The deceased enlisted when he was 17 years of age, and was subsequently placed on the reserve, and later called up. He was of a genial disposition, and was very much liked by his colleagues, to whom news of his death under such sad circumstances came as a great shock.
THE SOUTHPORT VISITER THURSDAY JANUARY 4, 1917
SOLDIER’S STRANGE DELUSIONS.
Southport Tragedy.
THE INQUEST.
The County Coroner held an inquest on Tuesday night concerning the tragic death of Ewart Sadler, aged 18 years, a private in the Manchester Regiment, and a native of Eccles.
Mr. Athel Winnett was foreman of the jury, and one of the members was sworn in Jewish fashion.
Wm. Ernest Sadler said he was a plumber’s merchant, and he lived at Danesbury House, Chatsworth-road, Eccles. The deceased was his son, and was 18 years of age on 12th Oct. last. He formerly assisted him in his business. In December, 1915, he joined the Army and was attached to the 6th Manchesters. Witness got him out of the Army on Reserve, in August last, on account of his age, and he rejoined in Nov. last, and was sent to Southport shortly afterwards, and he stayed at a house in Anchor-street. He was of cheerful disposition, and wrote home regularly, his last letter being on the 31st December, when he was apparently in the best of spirits. On the 1st inst., witness received a telegram from his officer, informing him that he was dead. He came to Southport the same day and identified the body. He could not account for him doing such a thing, as he was a most sensible, level-headed lad.
Thought he Would Become Useless.
The Coroner said the father had brought that letter (exhibiting one) from a medical man, Dr. Sidley, of Monks’ Hall, Wellington-road, Eccles, in which he said: “I attended the late Ewart Sadler about two years ago for a serious nervous breakdown. He had delusions about himself, thinking that his brain had become useless, and that he was unable to do the most simple calculations, and that he would never be of any use in the world again. He, however, recovered, and was quite well again. Of course, he might have had a sudden return of the above condition.”
Pte. Frederick Arthur Race said that the deceased was billeted with him, and he had known him since he joined up, about eight weeks ago. About a month ago he was suffering from constipation, and the doctor had him removed to the detention Hospital, from which he was discharged in a week. He had not since then complained of his health, although he had been a bit despondent, complaining that Army life was not suiting him. He did not go out on Sunday last, and was in bed at 3-45. Witness joked him about getting up early to clean his tackle, and he told him to call him at five o’clock that he might do so. Witness went to his room about six o’clock to call him, and found his bed covered with blood, and he was lying face downwards on the floor at the side of the bed in a pool of blood, and his throat was cut. He was quite dead. A blood-stained razor was lying about a yard from the body. Witness called Corporal Walker, medical aid was brought in, the police were sent for, and the body was removed to the mortuary.
Pte. Louis Barnett of the Manchesters, billeted at the same address, and sleeping in the same room as the deceased, said he went to bed at about 10-15 on Sunday night and the deceased, who had gone before him, said “they are a long time in coming to bed get the candle out”. Witness put the candle out. He noticed he had closed the door a thing he had never done before. At about four o’clock he heard a “thump” on the floor, but he took no notice of it, and did not know what had happened until aroused after six o’clock.
Loan of a Razor.
Lance-Corpl. Albert Prince, billeted at 8, Zetland-street, said he had known the deceased about a year, and he was very friendly with him. He was with him on Sunday morning last. He appeared to be all right until he had to go back to the Army. Then at times he seemed somewhat depressed, saying that he was under age, and would have to put in a lot of training. Witness told him they would not allow him to go out to the Front for at least eight months, and he said he did not care for that, he would go out any day. During the last fortnight, he has said that he was sick of it all, and that he felt like jumping out of a window. Witness had taken him about a lot lately to keep his mind occupied. About a fortnight ago he asked witness for the loan of his razor for kit inspection, and witness lent it to him. A few days ago he asked him for the razor back, and he said he would give it to him, but he did not do so. It was his razor with which he did the deed.
Captain Samuel Francis Collier, deceased’s officer, said the lad was a good soldier, and of a cheerful disposition, and he was not aware of any trouble or difficulty he had. He was not likely to proceed oversees for some months. He could not account for him having taken away his own life.
The Coroner, addressing the jury, said that note he had read from the doctor might offer a solution to the problem as to why the deceased took away is own life. Two years ago he had a severe nervous breakdown, and he had delusions about himself. When only 16 years of age, he said his brain had become useless, and that he was unable to do the most simple calculations. Then they had the evidence of his own pal that recently he had said that he was tired of life, and that he felt like throwing himself out of a window: and his pal, like the decent fellow he was, went about with him to keep him as cheerful as possible, and for that action he was to be commended.
The jury almost immediately returned a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind.
