CECIL WILLIAM MORTON
Ex-Police Sergeant’s Tragic Death
MR C W MORTON KILLED IN CYCLING ACCIDENT
Much sympathy goes out to Mrs C W Morton of “Crestview”, Enborne Row, Wash Water, in the tragic death of her husband, ex-Police-Sergeant Morton, which occurred on Tuesday night following an accident.
Mr Morton was riding a bicycle down Sandpit Hill and was turning the corner near the “Derby Arms” towards his home, when he struck the grass verge and was thrown against a telegraph pole. He sustained a broken arm, fractured nose and a head injury, and was taken to Newbury District Hospital, where he died a few hours later.
Mr Ceceil William Morton, who was 55 years of age, was well known in the town. He was born at Lambourn, but came to Newbury at an early age with his father the late Mr Richard Morton, plumber, of Andover road. He joined the Berkshire Constabulary at Newbury in 1909 and was first stationed at Hungerford. He was afterwards transferred to Windsor, later moving to Mortimer and then to Twyford. He came to Newbury as sergeant In 1930 and retired in 1937, after serving for 28 years in the force.
He was a poplar police-officer, and during his seven years in Newbury he made many friends, for he had a genial personality. On his retirement he went to live at Wash Water, and was returning to his home there from his work in Newbury when the accident occurred.
Mr Morton leaves a widow and two sons one of whom is a Naval officer and the other a sergeant with an anti-aircraft unit.
An inquest is to be held today (Thursday)
FATAL CYCLE SKID
Inquest on Ex-Police Sergeant C W Morton
At the inquest at Newbury Police Court on ex-Police Sergeant Cecil William Morton, of “Crestview” Wash Water, it was stated that he met his death as a result of his bicycle skidding on loose gravel.
Evidence to this effect was given by a youth, George William Holmes, of Heath End, East Woodhay, who was riding home from work on March 26th with Mr Morton. They travelled down Sandpit Hill, he said at quite a reasonable speed and when they crossed the Highclere road, witness was about ten yards behind. As Mr Morton entered the Wash Water road, he got on to some loose gravel, his bicycle skidded and ran onto the grass verge. He collided with an electric light pole, against which he apparently struck his face. There was no traffic about at the time.
Holmes added that he helped Mr Morton to his feet and led him to the “Derby Arms ”Public house, where his face was bathed. He said he did not want the ambulance to be called and he was taken home by car.
Medical evidence was given by Dr H Warburton Lewis, who said that he was called to Mr Morton’s house at 6 p m where he found him lying on the floor near a fire to keep him warm. Ashis injuries were serious he arranged for his removal to hospital. After he had had a little rest he was given an anaesthetic and his face wounds were sewn up.
Dr Lewis said they suspected a fractured base of the skull, but at that time could find no conclusive evidence. A t about 11 p m that evening, Mr Morton became much worse and it was then evident he had a fractured skull. He died shortly afterwards.
Evidence of identification was given by George Edward Jesse Morton, a sergeant with an anti-aircraft unit, who said his father was a heavily built man and weighed over 16 stone.
In recording a verdict of Accidental Death, the Coroner (Mr S V Pinniger) expressed his very sincere sympathy with the family at what he described as a very unfortunate accident.
The Coroner’s remarks were endorsed by Mr F W Taylor, who said all retired Police officers who knew Mr Morton would greatly deplore his untimely death. As one who had known him for 26 years, he would say he was a man who could be relied upon to do his duty to the best of his ability.
Many Old Comrades Attend the Funeral
Many of his former colleagues in the Police Fore were present at the funeral of Mr Morton, which took place at the Newtown road Cemetery, Newbury, on Saturday. The service was conducted by Prebendary J E G Sweetnam, Rector of Enborne and Hamstead Marshall
The mourners were: Mrs Morton (widow), Mr and Mrs G E Morton (son and daughter-in-law), Mr and Mrs G Morton (brother and sister-in-law), Mrs A Laidler (sister), Mr E Hunt (brother-in-law), Mr and Mrs F Owen (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mr A Owen (nephew), Mrs the eldest son, Mr Cecil Morton, was unable to attend owing to illness. W E Hunt (sister-in-law), Mr K Hunt, Mrs Dalton (niece), Mr ND Mrs R Baverstock and Miss Inskip. , the eldest son, Mr Cecil Morton, was unable to attend owing to illness.
Past and present members of the Police Force in attendance were: Ex-Superintendent W Simmons, Ex-Inspector F W Taylor, Ex-Inspector A \J Weal, Ex-Sergeant J R Gibbons, Ex-Sergeant Albert Atttwood, Ex-Sergeant Walter Hill, Ex- P C. E Kimber, Ex-P C. R Gibbs, Ex-P C. A J Phipps, Ex P C. G Page, Ex-P C W Baldwin, Ex-P C. W Thomas, Inspector W H Benstead, Sergt. A Walker, Sergt. H Wood, P.C. Pound, P.C.Warren, P.C.Meen.
The bearers were Sergeants Partridge, Ottaway, Newman and Bowering.
Others present included: Mr and Mrs F Love (Mortimer), Mr and Mrs L T Jenkins ,Mr and Mrs Chris Lansley (Salisbury), Mr and Mrs A Prismall. Mr E R Fifield, Mr and Mrs E White, Mr and Mrs W Blea, Mr A A Jones (representing Messrs. Stevens & Co.,) Mr G Holmes, Mr Prior, Mr Tucker, Mr Marsh, Mrs George Gibbs, Mrs G Page, Mrs Owen Snr., NMrs W G Mitchell, Mrs WWheeler, Mrs Wraight, Mrs Mosdell, Mrs Cottrell, Mr T Thorn, and Mr E Goddard.
Wreaths were sent from the following: Jess, with deepest love; Cecil, Ted and Winnie; Mother; George, Kit and Nellie; Dick, Gertie and little Dick (Canada); Albert Gertie, Cecil and Louie; Louie (America); Fred, Vi, the Boys and Mickie; Nettie, Isoel and Doris; Ted, Win, Ken and Nora; Edith, Peter, Jean and Betty; Peggy and Reg; Dick and Joy; Chris and Rene; 2nd Lieutenant J A H Simmonds, R.A., N.C.O’s and Men of an Anti-Aircraft Battery; Officer and Constables of the Newbury Police Division; Reading and District Branch of Retired Police Officers; Ex-Police Officers and Wives (Newbury Division); Joyce D Hunt; All at Stevco.
Mr and Mrs Blea and Tom; Molly; Mr and Mrs L T Jenkins; Mrs Taylor; Bill, Molly and Mrs Drewitt; Signorina Lucrezia Molinari and Miss Hewitt; Mrs Sackville Evans; Mr and Mrs F Neale; C and J Fowlie; All at “Rhositi”; Mr and Mrs A E Perris and Roy; Mr and Mrs G Mitchell; Mr and Mrs M G Robinson; Mr and Mrs H Williams; Dorothy; Mr and Mrs Weal and family; Mr abd Mrs C G Wakeford; Mr and Mrs Adnams; Mr and Mrs Fifield; Mr and Mrs A Prismall; Mr and Mrs Wright and Arthur; Mrs Fisher, Mrs Moren and Phyllis; Mr and Mrs Creswell and Ida.
The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr E B Hitchman, Oxford street, Newbury. |
