DEATH OF RETURNED SOLDIER

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 142, 15 June 1917, Page 6

DEATH OF RETURNED SOLDIER

DUE TO ASPHYXIATION. MILITARY FUNERAL TO-MORROW. An inquest with reference to the death of Ceo. T. Browning, a returned soldier, who died suddenly in a restaurant in Queen Street, on Wednesday lust, was held by Mr. K. C. Cutten, 's.M.. this morning. Dr. S. Stride stnteel that he was called to a restaurant in Queen Street, where he fouirl deceased lying on his back on tlie floor. He was then dead. By 'lireetion of the Coroner he made a post-mortem examination of the body, anil found that the left pleura was adherent to the chest wall. The right lung was congested, also the coating of the stomach. The gullet contained a good amount of food. The cause of death was acute indigestion, causing vomiting, the- food whilst vomiting was drawn into the gullet, and deceased became asphyxiated. Private John Finn, a returned soldier, stated that, in company with deceased, he went into a restaurant in Queen Street, where they had a meal. Witness finished before deceased, and left him for a few minutes, the deceased stating that he would wail for him. On his return he saw the owner of the saloon standing at the door, and ou entering, he found deceased lying on the floor. Witness laid, him Mat on his back, undid his collar, and massaged him in the region of the heart. A doctor later arrived, nnd pronounced life extinct. Since his return from the front deceased had been subject to fits. Evidence was also given by the owner of the saloon, who stated th at on hearing his wife call him he went into the front shop, anil saw deceased shaking, ns though having a fit. He put his hand out. and went as though to fall, so witness i aught hold of him and cased him to the ground.

A verdict in accordance with the mcdi cal evidence was returneel.

The late soldier will be accorded a military funeral to-morrow. The procesFion" will leave Mr. Little's shop at ILL") a.m. to-morrow, and the Seamen's Union and the Returned Soldiers' Association will both be represented. Members of the Reinforcement in camp nl Narrow Neck will supply the firing party. Mr. Andrews, secreiary of the R.S.A., has received a wrenth from the Legion of Frontiersmen.

The late soldier is the last of a family, his two only brothe's having given their lives during the present war. He left with the Third Reinforcement, and took part in the Gallipoii campaign. He wns recently invalided home, on account of being gassed while in France. He was 42 years of age. a widower, and leaves a young daughter in Sydney, wiiiie his mother resides in Glasgow.