ARTHUR FRODSHAM WASEY

TRAGIC GUN FATALITY AT WASH COMMON.

 SON ACCIDENTALLY SHOOTS HIS FATHER

An appalling tragedy occurred at Wash Common about noon on Saturday, when

Mr. Arthur F. Wasey, of Altamont,” was killed instantaneously by the discharge of gun carried by his son. It appears that Mr. Wasey and his boy, a lad of 14 years, who had just come home for his summer holidays, went out shooting on Saturday morning, as they had frequently done before, and took up their position on the outskirts of a field of corn that was being cut, waiting for any birds that might get up Mr. Wasey, with his fully-loaded gun, sat on a rest stool, and his boy, also carrying a loaded gun, stood behind him. A bird came over at fair height, and Mr. Wasey told his boy to take a shot. It would seem that in his excitement, or for some other reason not known, the lad did not get the gun fully to his shoulder, with the result that the charge carried away the roof of Mr. Wasey’s skull, and the whole of the brain, causing, of course, instantaneous death, as his son was only two or three yards distant. The deceased gentleman had been sportsman all his life, and was, therefore, fully acquainted with the use of a gun. The occurrence was a pure accident, and his son is to be deeply commiserated with. Mr. Arthur Frodsham Wasey was 55 years of age, and a son of the late Rev. J. Spearman Wasey, for many years Vicar of Compton. He has two brothers resident in this district—Mr. E. J. S. Wasey, J.P., of Bradley Court, and Mr. Lionel Wasey, of Ecchinswell House; and two of his sisters reside at Erleigh,” Andover-road. With them, as well as the widow and two sons, very deep sympathy has been expressed in the overwhelming trouble that has befallen them.

 THE INQUEST took place on Saturday evening at the deceased’s residence, “Altamont,” not far from the scene of the tragedy, before the Newbury Borough Coroner (Dr. W. B. Heywood), and a Jury, of whom Mr, Frederick Heath was chosen foreman. The Coroner, in opening the proceedings, said they were met to investigate one of the most appalling tragedies that had occurred since had been coroner, and he was sure their sympathy would go out to the widow and the son.

 Mr. Lionel Torin Wasey, of Ecchinswell House, identified the body that of his brother, who was 55 years of age.

James William Finch, of Essex-street, Wash Common, gardener to deceased, said about 12 o’clock that morning he saw Mrs. Wasey rush across the green. He asked her if there was anything the matter, and she said she understood the lad had shot his father. He asked the boy, who was crying, “Where?” but could not reply. He ran to the meadow where they were shooting, and found lying on his right side, on the brow of the ditch. His hat was blown off, and a gun, loaded in both chambers, and fully cocked, was lying about three feet away. His rest stool was partly underneath him. The brains were quite blown out. Witness could see he was quite dead, and did not touch the body. He thought deceased must have been shot from behind.

 Arthur Crawford Wasey, the son, was the next witness, and evidently was under the stress of great emotion. Led by the Coroner, however, he explained how the accident happened. He said he was standing under the hedge and behind his father, who was sitting down. A bird came over, and his father told him shoot, which did. The gun was not full to his shoulder. The bird was flying fairly high. He was only two or three yards distant from his father. One barrel of his gun only was discharged. He came straight home and told his mother. He had carried a gun before.

Dr. William Coplestone said that about 12.15 that morning, as was coming out Mrs. Thatcher’s house, close to “Altamont,” Mrs. Wasey ran up to him, and asked him to go to her husband, saying he had been shot by his son. The latter was with her, and they were both crying. The boy cried out: “I have shot father.’’ Seeing they were in great distress, followed the witness Finch to the meadow, where he found Mr. Wasey lying in a ditch, with his back to the meadow. The roof of the skull was completely blown away, together with the whole of the brain, the main part of which, with the hat, was lying four feet from the body. The shooting stool was partly underneath him, and he appeared have fallen sideways. From the appearance of the wound, he had no doubt the gun was fired behind, and at close range, before the charge had spread. Mr. Wasey’s gun had pitched forward into the hedge. Both its barrels were fully cocked, and loaded with cartridge. Witness was on the spot within five minutes of death.

 The gun carried by the son was produced to the Jury. It was not full size.

 P.C. Herbert. Blunden, stationed at Wash Common, said at eleven o’clock that morning while in his garden, he saw Mr. Wasey and his son, each carrying a gun, go into Mr. Peachey’s meadow immediately behind his garden. They were laughing and talking together. He heard frequent shots until he left home at half-past eleven.

 The Jury at once returned a verdict that Mr. Wasey “was accidentally shot by his son.”

 THE FUNERAL.

 The funeral took place Tuesday afternoon Newbury Cemetery, the first portion of the service being held at St. John’s Church. The officiating clergy were the Vicar of St. John’s (the Rev. A.G.P. Baines) and the Rev. Lionel R. Majendie (Rector of Newbury). The mourners were- Mr. E.J.S. Wasey, Mr George Wasey, Mr. Lionel Wasey. Miss Wasey, and Miss Mary Wasey Among the large assembly of friends the obsequies were noticed: Rev. H. F. Howard (Brightwalton), Mrs. and Misses Howard, Rev. F. W. Thoyts, Rev. N. F. Nash, Rev. G. Floyd (Frilsham), Rev. J. Browu (Didcot), Rev. H. W. Trotter, Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Martin-Atkins, Dr. W. B. and Mrs. Heywood, Dr. and Mrs. E.G.B. Adams, Mr. and Mrs. A. Hancock, Mrs. C. Howard, the Misses Bunny, Miss Simmonds, Miss Valpy, Mrs. Price, Miss Kindersley, Mrs. Baines, Messrs. B. Aldridge, H. A. Fellowes, G. T. de Vitré, G. Gardner Leader, A. E. O. Slocock, E. F. Slocock, A. W. Neate, A.T. Watson, H. Floyd, F. D. Bazett, E. W. Squirl, A. G. Harrison, A. E. Skinner, and many others. A detachment the Berks Constabulary, under Supt. Gamble, also attended.

 The interment took place at the Cemetery, the coffin, which was of plain oak, being enveloped in floral tributes of affection and sympathy. The senders of these included the following; Dr. and Mrs. Graham, Mr. and Mrs. F. Collins, Dr. and Mrs. Adams, All at Bradley Court, Lionel and Edith, Gladys and Bob, Hattie and Mary, Mrs. Charles Howard, Supt. Gamble, officers and constables of Newbury Division, Mr. and Mrs. Traill and Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Traill, South Berks Club, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Savile, Mrs. Evan Jones, Mr. and the Misses Slooock, Mr. ami Mrs. Adey and family, Air. and Mrs. E. W. Squirl, Mrs. Arthur and Miss D Majendie, Rev. H. and Mrs. Howard and family, Dr. and Mrs. Coplestone, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Hancock, Mr. and Mrs. W. Bailey and maids at Erleigh, Mrs. Duncan, Mrs. E. H. Fox and children, Mrs. Henry Digby, Mrs. Price and Miss Kindersley, Mrs. R. J. Kerby, Mrs. Couchman and Miss Buxton, Dr. and Mrs. Heywood, Postmaster and staff of Newbury Post Office, and others.

 Reading Mercury - Saturday 08 August 1914

Mr Arthur Frodsham Wasey 

 DISTRESSING FATALITY

Misadventure with a Gun

Father Accidentally Shot By Son

It is difficult to imagine a more distressingly sad occurrence than that which happened at Wash Common on Saturday morning resulting in the death of Mr. Arthur Frodsham Wasey, of Altamont, a well-known resident and member of an old Berkshire family.  On Wednesday two sons came home from school, anticipating a happy holiday with their parents.  On Saturday morning Mr. Wasey and the elder boy, Arthur Crawford, started out on a little pigeon shooting expedition.  They had taken up position in Viewlands Meadow, and were in waiting for the birds that flew over from the adjoining field of corn.  Mr Wasey was sitting on his shooting-stool, the boy two or three yards away.  Presently a bird flew over, rather high, and the father crouching down, shouted to his son to shoot.  What exactly happened is not known.  The boy fired without putting the gun to his shoulder, and the full charge hit his father in the head, causing instantaneous death.   The lad, terrified at what had happened, ran home to his mother, telling her the dreadful occurrence.  She rushed to neighbouring houses for help, and then saw the gardener, who went and found the dead body of his master lying in the ditch.  Dr. Coplestone was calling on a patient close by, and was on the scene in five minutes, but medical help was then of no avail.  The poor lad was in a state of collapse, and had to receive attention.

The deceased gentleman was second son of the late Rev. John Spealman Wasey, for many years Vicar of Compton.  He was educated at Haileybury College and Forest School, Essex.  He went out to South America and joined his eldest brother, Mr. Edward Wasey, in a cattle-ranching venture.  Being unable to stand the climate he returned hope, and subsequently went to Canada, where he engaged in farming.  He married Miss Crawford, a Canadian lady, and returning to Newbury, settled here having latterly resided at Altamont, Wash Common.  He was very fond of all sports and a genial manner ensured him a large circle of friends, who have been deeply grieved at his untimely end.  The most sincere sympathy is extended to the young widow, also to the son whose early years have been clouded by this terrible tragedy.

THE INQUEST.

 The inquest was held on Saturday evening at Altamont, Wash Common, by the Borough Coroner (Dr. W.B. Heywood) and a jury, of whom Mr. Frederick Heath was foreman.  Supt. Gamble was in attendance.

 The Coroner, addressing the jury said they were called together to investigate the most appalling tragedy that had occurred since he had been Coroner.  A father had fallen by the hand of his son.  He was sure that their sympathy would go out to the whole family, especially to the widow and son of the late Mr. Wasey.

 The Jury silently concurred.

 Mr. Lionel Tovin Wasey identified the body as that of his brother, aged 55.

James William Finch, gardener of Essex Street, Wash Common, said about 12 o’clock that day he was down the road and saw Mrs Wasey rush across the green to Mr. Adey’s.  She ran back again, and he asked her if anything was the matter.  He understood the lad to say he had shot his father.  He asked him where it had happened, but he was crying and could not answer, pointing down the road.  Mr Wasey said “Run Finch” and he ran up the road as hard as he could go.  He knew where they had been shooting, and went across the meadows.  Eventually he found Mr. Wasey laying on his side, on the brow of the ditch.  His hat was blown off into the back by the force of the explosion.  His gun was lying by his side, about three feet away.  It was loaded in both chamber, and fully cocked.  His rest-stool was partly underneath him, and brains were blown out, some behind and some in front of him.  The doctor came across the meadows.

The Coroner – Did you alter the position of anything? – Not at all.  I could see he was quite dead, so I did not touch him.

The Foreman - From what position was he shot, back or front? – I think from the position in which he was laying, and that of the hat and skull, that he was shot from behind.  I only judge by the position of his hat which was five feet away from him.

Arthur Crawford Wasey, a lad of about 12, who gave evidence with great emotion, said - I was standing under the hedge.  My father was sitting in front of me.  A bird came over, and my father went into a crouching position.  He told me to shoot.  I shot, and hit my father.  The gun was not at my shoulder.  The fired was fairly high.  I was not more than two or three yards from my father.  I only fired off one barrel.  After the accident I came straight home and told my mother.

The Coroner – Had you carried a gun before? – I shot last year.

Dr. Coplestone said at 12.15 that day he was coming from Mrs. Thatcher’s, Wash Common, when Mrs. Wasey, ran up to him and ask him to come to her husband, saying he had been shot by his son.  He son was with her, crying out several times, “I have shot my father.”  He seemed in great distress.  Witness followed Finch to a meadow close by, and there found Mr. Wasey lying in the ditch, with his back to the meadow, and his face towards the adjacent hedge.  The roof of the skull was completely blown away, together with the whole of the brain, the greater part of which, together with the hat, was laying at a distance from the body.  The shooting-stool was partly underneath him, and apparently he had fallen sideways from it.  From appearance of the wound, the fun was fired from behind, at close range, before the charge had been spread.  Mr. Wasey’s gun had pitched forward in front him into the hedge, and was lying there with both barrels cocked and cartridges loaded.

The Coroner – You got there soon after it had happened? – I should think within five minutes.

You did not hear any shots? – No I was in the house.

The boy’s gun and shooting stool were produced for the inspection of the jury.

P.C. Herbert Blunden, who is stationed at Wash Common, said at 11 a.m., he saw Mr Wasey and his son pass by the bottom of his garden, and go into Mr. Peachey’s meadow, with guns under their arms.  They went over the hill out of sight and were laughing and talking as they passed.  He heard them shooting for about an hour, and he took it they were shooting pigeons.  This boy was often there when at home.  He heard a dozen shots before he left home at half-past eleven.

The Foreman – You think they were shooting pigeons?  Yes, the meadow was very low, and the pigeons came over from Mr. Cottrell’s corn.

A juryman said he had often seem them shooting pigeons there.

The Jury returned a verdict that deceased was accidentally shot by his son In Viewlands Meadow, on August 1^st.

The Funeral

The funeral took place on Tuesday, afternoon, the first part of the service being conducted in St. John’s Church, where there assembled a large number of sympathising friends.  The officiating clergymen were the Vicar of St. John‘s (Rev. A.G.P. Baines) and the Rector of Newbury (Rev. Lionel Majendie).  Appropriate music was played by Mr. A.H. Drury, F.R.C.O. including “In Memoriam” (Batiste), “But the Lord is mindful” (Mendelssohn’s St. Paul) and “O rest in the Lord” (Mendelssohn’s “Elijah”).  The interment took place at5 Newbury Cemetery.  The mourners were Mr. Edward Wasey, Mr. George Wasey, Mr. Lionel Wasey, Miss Wasey, Miss Mary Wasey.  Amongst those present were Rev. H.F. Howard, the Misses and Mr. Howard, Rev. F.W. Thoyts, Rev. Nigel Nash, Dr. and Mrs Beadon Adams, Rev. George Floyd, Rev. John Brown (Didcot), Rev. H.W. Trotter, Mr. and Mrs. E Martin Atkins, Mr and Mrs. A.A. Hancock, Mrs. C. Howard, Misses Bunny, Miss Simmonds, Mrs. Price, Miss Kindersley, Miss Valpy, Mrs Baines, Messrs, R. Aldridge, Gardner-Leader, Hubert Fellowes, H.D. Floyd, G.T. de Vitre, A.E.O. Slocock, E.F. Slocock, F.D. Bazett, E.W. Squirl, A.W. Neate, A.T. Watson, A.G. Harrison, A.E. Skinner, H. Goodman, H. Walker, Mr and Mrs. Hodge, Miss Simmonds, Mrs Joseph Adey, Mrs. E.L. Staples, Miss Plows, and a number of others.

~The coffin was of plain oak, inscribed:

ARTHURD FRODSHAM WASEY,

Born March 15^th, 1859,

Died August 1^st, 1914.

Among the floral offerings of sympathy and respect, were the following: Dr. and Mrs. Graham, Mr and Mrs F. Collins, Dr. and Mrs. Adams,, all at Bradley Court, Lionel and Edith, Gladys and Bob, Hattie and Mary, Mrs. Charles Howard, Supt. Gamble, Officers and Constables of Newbury Division, Mr. and Mrs. Traill and Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Traill, South Berks Club, Mr and Mrs. Howard Savile, Mrs Evan Jones, Mr, and the Misses Slocock, Mr. and Mrs. Adey and family, Mr and Mrs. E.W. Squirl, Mrs. Arthur and Miss D. Majendie, Rev. H. and Mrs. Howard and family, Dr. and Mrs. Coplestone, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Hancock, Mr. and Mrs. W. Bailey and maids at Erleigh, Mrs Duncan, Mrs. E.F. Fox and children, Mrs. Henry Digby, Mrs. Price and Miss Kindersley, Mrs. R.J. Kerb6y, Mrs. Couchman and Miss Buxton, Dr. and Mrs. Heywood, Postmaster and Staff of Newbury Post Office, also several others taken direct to the Cemetery.

 The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. George Windle, Northbrook-street.

 Also – In is will he left effects to the value of £15,033 17s. 3d.

 Born 24/041859

 Died 01/08/1914

 Son Arthur Crawford Vasey born in 1900 in Newbury

 Son Edward Cyril Mowbray Wasey born in 1903 in Manitoba, Canada

He joined the artist rifles and there is a charred war record in ancestry

His father was married in Canada and the war the son went back there for a while'

He married 3 times to Victoria m Jackson, Minnie Lenthall and Nora Breacher and died age 73 in Leicester