HENRY FEW

The river Kennet on Monday morning yielded up the secret which it had kept for the past three weeks, when the body of Henry Few was discovered near the old Bone Mill, below Greenham Lock. The inquest necessitated by this melancholy occurrence took place the same afternoon at the Swan Inn, before Mr. J. Cockburn Pinniger, coroner, and a jury, of whom Mr. Humphreys. of the Cross Keys, was chosen foreman.

The first witness examined was the son of deceased, George William Few, who is an engineer's fitter, living at 7, Ham-terrace, Greenham. He said his father was 58 years of age, and had been missing since Sunday, December 9th. Upon that night someone came to see if his father had been to his house. During the previous week deceased had not been in his usual health, but had complained of dizziness, so on Thursday his wife asked him to go and see a doctor, whereupon be replied that he had been to see Dr. Hickman, who said he was suffering from constipation, which caused the dizziness complained of. The doctor also stated that his mind was not affected in the least. Since the 9th inst. when his father was missed, searches had been made, and the river dragged on several days but without success.

Evidence was given by Ralph Gunter, who described himself as a general labourer of Kennet Court, West Mills as to the finding of the body. About 10:30 on Monday morning be saw what appeared to be the body of a man, near the Old Bone Mill Hatch, Greenhorn, and so at once went and fetched the police, and then helped to take the body out and carry it to the " Swan"

PS. Borlase also said he was called by the last witness, and he noticed that the body was half through the hatch. There was 2 1/2d. in the pockets, which had been handed over to the son.

The jury, without birth r deliberation, returned an open verdict of " Found Drowned." The body was removed subsequent to the inquest to the home of his widow in Berkeley-road, and yesterday after noon he was buried at the Cemetery, the officiating clergyman being the Rev. F A. Hill. Several members of the family were mourners, and there was a large number of spectators, who paid every respect ,the deceased being well known and much respected.

Thursday 03 January 1895 Newbury Weekly News and General Advertiser

BDS 02/2020