NWN 27 Sept 1917 p8,
Local War Notes
The death is reported of Gunner Alfred Griffiths, of Newbury, which took place at Devonport on Wednesday, the 19th. He was a greengrocer and market gardener, carrying on business in Bartholomew-street. He joined the Royal Garrison Artillery on June 29th, but had been in hospital from July 4th to September 7th, and was at home on sick leave from the 8th to the 14th. He was found standing behind a door in a lavatory at Plymouth Citadel, with a deep and large wound in his throat, and threw down a razor when a comrade entered. He had lost a lot of blood, and died next day from syncope through hemorrhage and shock. At the inquest his wife, to whom he had married three years, said he had suffered from nervous depression during the sixteen years she had known him. While at home on leave he was unwell and depressed and had written since his return saying he was still poorly. Other evidence was given as to his depressed state.
The jury found that deceased committed suicide, and that there was not sufficient evidence to determine the state of his mind.
The body was brought to Newbury, and was interred yesterday in Newbury Cemetery. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, and six soldiers of the Royal Defence Corps acted as a bearer party. |