8 February 1916 – Fred Fishlock

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From the Western Daily Press on Wednesday the 8th of February 1916

On Tuesday, in the Y.M.C.A. Hall, the Deputy Coroner (Mr. J. W. Pridham) held an inquiry touching the death of Fred Fishlock, married man, of Callow Hill, Brinkworth, who cut his throat on Sunday morning and died in the Malmesbury Hospital.

A view of the side of The Whole Hog in Malmesbury. The image features large windows with painted murals on them, depicting pigs and a man feeding them from a container labeled "Dreams." The artwork is vibrant and adds a creative touch to the building's stone facade. In the background, the historic Malmesbury Market Cross is visible, adding a sense of place and history to the scene. The area is paved, with a picnic bench outside and a couple of cars parked nearby. The overall atmosphere is quaint and lively, reflecting the town's blend of tradition and modern artistic expression.
A view of the side of The Whole Hog, formerly Malmesbury Cottage Hospital, in Malmesbury.

Beatrice Fishlock, widow of deceased, said her husband was 21 years of age. Deceased had been sleeping badly for some years, and would sometimes get up at 12 midnight, and during the past week he had been worse.

Benjamin Eggleton, Callow Hill, a neighbour, proved finding deceased with his throat cut and a razor lying on the ground.

He put his hands up and reopened the wound, being determined to take his life.

Dr. Watson of Wootton Bassett, said he found deceased lying in a living room with his throat cut. He was prostrate from loss of blood, but conscious. He dressed the wound, and later the man was removed to the Malmesbury Hospital. After Dr. Pitt and witness had properly dressed the wound at the hospital, the man made a statement to the effect that he wanted to die.

P.C. Pearce of Brinkworth, testified that after the doctors and left he took charge of the patient. It took the witness and two nurses and the matron to hold the man down. He put his hands up and reopened the wound, being determined to take his life. The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide whilst temporarily insane”.

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