TRAGEDY OF AN A.I.F. MAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 309, 30 December 1922, Page 5

TRAGEDY OF AN A.I.F. MAN.

I WON C 15,000. AND LOST IT! (From Our Special CorrespoiidenU LONDON. November 22. A curious story is told of a Scarborough suicide, that of a man celled Dyer. At fche inquest the coroner said j he had been told the history of Dyer'» j life, end a novelist like' Oppenheim would have eplendid material for a very sensational novel in connection with it. The story has nyw been put together and in that of a man who served .vith the Aiwacg. He was the eon of Stephen Fred Dyer, brewer's drayman, of 3. Priory-mews. Hastings. In early youth he apparently got into trouble. I He became a gMfitter, and went to Auej tralia twelve years ago. when h# was 117 years old. He returned to England I during the war wi«i the Australian forces, and subsequently was given a I commission. He is said to have been blown up <by a mine at Gtllipoli. After the war he settled in England again, and at first lived in North London. Hβ j used to attend tmx meetings,, and he . told his friends at Kenley that he put 1 the whole of 'Tiis war gratuity on Furi- [ ous in the Lincolnshire Handicap, and j won £16,000. Furious, it may be re- ! "ailed, won the Lincolnshire in 1030 at TS3 to one, and was a big tip in certain ! quarters. With part of hie winnings 'he bought "The Welcomes'' at Kenley, I a property which included training I stables. He also bought some yearlings and went in for training. After he had he*n at ,: The W r elcomee" for about twelve months there was a myeterioue fire, and the house was practically ■burnt out. All the furniture was dej stroyed. Dyer made a claim on an inI suranee company, but he was not paid. ;It appears that he still went to race : meetings, backed hordes, and got into : financial difficulties. It is also stated ' that he was wanted in several parts !of the country for passing worthless 1 cheque*. He married a Scotch woman, ! and leaver a widow and three children. I