FIGHT AGAINST FATE

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 September 1936, Page 8

FIGHT AGAINST FATE

GIRL'S STORY TO CORONER

BIRMINGHAM, August 1

The story of a family’s bitter struggle against fate was unfolded at an inquest here to-day by 21-year-old Miss Annie Elizabeth Wakelam, of Court Farm-road, Erdington. Five years ago, she said, her mother died. The father, Harry George Wakelam, 47. was left with five children, aged from two to 16. He lost all interest in his work and his home. Time and again he was warned by his employers, and the day came, last Wednesday, when there was not even a penny in the house to put into the gas meter.

Annie, with the responsibility for her younger brothers and sisters on her shoulders, went out, obtained some washing to earn money, and returned home. Entering the house she saw her father hanging from a bedpost by a piece of wire. “Since that day,” she said to the coroner; “I have been living in that house with my brothers and sisters? We pay 11/- a week for it, and only owe one week’s rent.”

The coroner, when the verdict —suicide while of unsound mind —was recorded, turned to Miss Wakelam and said:

“I am going to give you a grant of £1 for each child out of the poor box. I will pay the arrears of rent for this week. Come and see Chief Inspector Hawkins (the coroner’s officer) and we will find some responsible person to help you.”