From: Thursday 12 December 1872   Newbury Weekly News and General Advertiser 

SUDDEN DEATH OF A NEWBURY MAN AT READING. —On Thursday an inquest was held at the Flying Horse Tavern, Reading, before W. Weedon, Esq., on the body of William Copleston, 72 years of age, a tailor by trade, who occupied an almshouse at Newbury. 

The evidence of several witnesses showed that on Wednesday deceased arrived from Newbury by the train due at Reading at 5.35, and a porter carried his box across the line. He sat on the box, but slipped off, and became insensible and helpless. Assistance was rendered, and he was removed to the waiting room. Mr. Bulley was sent for, but before he arrived Coppleston expired, and Mr. Bulley considered disease of the heart to be the cause. 

Disceased (sic) had a daughter named Harriet Winkworth (wife of a bricklayer) living in the town, and he had probably come up to visit her, but she was unaware of his arrival. She deposed that he was a man of cheerful disposition, was not in want, and had nothing to trouble him. 

Verdict : "Death from natural causes.” 

A slightly longer report of the inquest appeared in the Berkshire Chronicle of 7th December 1872, but the quality of the photocopying makes it difficult to read and, at the end of the day, adds little.

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