AUTHOR’S SUICIDE

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 4429, 15 August 1939, Page 2

AUTHOR’S SUICIDE

WROTE NOTABLE WAR BOOK Author of a notable war book, ‘ Pass Guard at Ypres,’ the chief figure of ■which was a war-weary hero who longed to commit suicide, Mr Stanley Ronald Kershaw Gurner, headmaster of Whitgift Grammar School, Croydon, was found dead. It is believed that death was due to poisoning. He was 49. The tragedy took place in a bedroom in a block of service chambers in Sus-sex-gardens, Paddington, W. A bottle lay near the bed. On Tuesday night Mr Gurner failed to return to his home in Beechwood road, Sanderstead, Surrey.

At the service chambers where he died, it was stated: ‘‘ Mr Gurner came here on Tuesday night and booked a room on the third floor for a week.” Mr Gurner had been headmaster of Whitgift School, one of the biggest public schools in the country, since 1928, and before that had been head of the Strand School, Tulse Hill, 192026, and the King Edward VII. School, Sheffield, 1926-27. It is understood that his salary was £I,BOO a year. He was one of the protagonists of the public day school system. He served throughout the war, during which he was wounded, awarded the M.C., and mentioned in despatches, and for two years was with the Rifle Brigade at Ypres and Arras. He published ‘ Pass Guard at Ypres ’ in 1930. The book was described as “ a constructive answer to the ultra-pessi-mistic type of war book,” and claimed to show that “ through war’s agency some spiritual lessons of fundamental value may be learned.” The hero, Freddy Mann, wont to the war full of ideals, but his experience stripped him of his ideals, his friends, and his faith in life.

Interviewed after its publication, Mr Garner said he could not think of anything in the book which had not a foundation in fact. The book was based on his own experiences at Ypres and Arras. He was the author of a number of other works. A verdict of suicide was recorded at the inquest. Mrs Rosalie Leila Gurner, giving evidence at the inquest, said that her husband had been continuously troubled by war wounds. A few years ago he had such a pain that he could not sleep, and recently he had again been restless. At times he appeared depressed. The deputy-coroner (Mr W. R. H. Heddy) : Did you know anything about his financial affairs?—No; he did not confide in me. Sometimes I think that he was worried, but I was afraid always to press anything in case I upset him. Mrs Gurner identified a note in her husband’s handwriting, and Mr Heddy said in it ho told his wife that he was in verv difficult financial circumstances.

“ I have been in the hands of moneylenders since 1930,” it stated. “It was impossible to tell you. I struggled to get straight, but it is the old story.” Mr Heddy continued: “The upshot of it all appears to be that he feels his financial position is so complicated that the only thing to do is, as he expresses it, ‘to go away for a time.’ ” Mrs Gurner said that on Sunday her husband had spoken to her mother, and she (Mrs Gurner) insisted that he should tell her something. “ I wanted an explanation,” she added, “ and I think that he felt it was too much for him,”

Mr Heddy: You think it proved too much for his mind at the tune, and he just left home?— Yes. Mr John Cummings, assistant master at Whit-gift School, stated that Mr Ginner’s position there was entirely secure.

Mr Heddy recorded a verdict that Mr Gurnet* died from shock from disinfectant poisoning, self-administered, and that he took his life when not of sound mind.