INQUEST

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 44

INQUEST

RETURNED SOLDIER'S DEATH. .An inquest was held at the Morgue on the 6'th inst. into the circumstances attending the death of John Moworay Rogers, a returned soldier, whose body was found in the upper harbour on Wednesday after-noon.-—Mr H. A. Young, S.M., was tho coroner, and tho police were represented by Sergeant Murray. Mrs Rogers, mother of the deceased, said her son was single, and 39 years of aire, residing in Hanover street. He was on Gallipoli at the time of the big fight, and returned wounded two years ago. Ho went under a severe operation in the local Hospital, as he could not sleep for noise in the ears. Since being in the Hospital he had been at work. On the afternoon of May 9 he went to iSt. Clair and back, an], on-returning, said it was cold. Next morning, about 6 o'clock, he left the house, saying he was going to Mosgiel, and that was the last witness saw of him. Before he went to the war he was a strong, healthy man. John William Ourline, butcher, residing in Hanover street, said he had known the deceased for eight years. Since returning from the war he had been very nervous. Early on the morning of May 10 ho came into witness's room, saying ho could hear tho Salvation Army band outside playing and singing hymns. He left the house, and witness followed, but could not see him. He was very excitable, and the least thing would put him out. He had never been the same since coming back, and constantly complained of pain in the side of the head. On Gallipoli a piece of shell struck him in the region of the groin. On the morning he left the houso e seemed to be temporarily insane. Ho was quite normal before he went to the war.

The Coroner found that on May 10 the deceased committed suicide by drowning while of unsound mind, due to war experiences.