Reading Mercury

Dated 1^st January 1887

DEATH FROM BURNS – A child named Charles Henry Ballard, aged four years, died on Wednesday last, from the effects of serious burns sustained on the previous Monday. It appears that the child, whose parents live in Northcroft Lane, was in an upstairs room with a still younger child, when their mother heard screams and on going upstairs, she found that deceased’s clothes had ignited, and that he was badly burnt. The children had evidently been playing with the fire. Dr. Palmer promptly attended. An inquest was held before the borough coroner (Dr. Watson) last (Friday) evening.

Swindon Advertiser and North Wilts Chronicle

Dated 8^th January 1887

SAD DEATH FROM BURNING. - An inquest was held at “Jack” Hotel on Friday evening last, by Dr. Watson, J. P., borough coroner and a jury of whom Mr. Edward Sargent was foreman, on the body of Charles Henry Ballard, aged four years, living in Northcroft Lane. From the evidence of the mother Emma Ballard, it appears that on the afternoon of Monday she left the deceased upstairs, whilst she went down to clean up. She had been absent about ten minutes, when her attention was called to cries from above. She immediately went upstairs and found the child in flames, which she endeavoured to extinguish. Mrs. Cooper, a neighbour, came to her assistance, and between them the flames were put out. Mr. Palmer, surgeon, was called in, and the deceased was medically attended till it died on Wednesday. It was elicited that Mrs. Ballard had three children, all of whom were under four years of age, and that the deceased would insist on playing with the fire. The foreman recommended the mother obtain a fire guard. The coroner having summed up, a verdict of “Accidental death” was recorded.