RETURNED SOLDIER’S DEATH

Otago Witness, Issue 3487, 11 January 1921, Page 36

RETURNED SOLDIER’S DEATH

DISTRESSING END TO ARTILLERYMAN. An inquest was held by Mr H. Y. Wicldowson, S.M. (coroner), on Sunday regarding the death of an artilleryman named Jas. M ‘Donald Dales, a returned soldier, aged 30 years, who met his death on Saturday evening an the result of a shot from a revolver, to all appearances deliberately dis • charged by himself. Richard R. Donaldson, inspector with the City Corporation, stated that he and his wife had taken charge of the deceased when three months old, and brought- him up, his mother having died. The deceased was a dentist by occupation. He went to the front in 1916, and was away for two years and a-half. Since his return he had been employed by the Defence Department as an artilleryman, and had lived with his wife and family at 15 Victoria street, Musselburgh. The deceased appeared to be quite normal when he returned to New Zealand, and had remained the same ever since, except that he was laid up in Wellington three or four months ago with a nasal complaint. Witness saw him two or three times a week. The deceased bought the house ho occupied about three months ago, end this straitened his financial circumstances, and he appeared to be worrying over his position. He never mentioned that he was worried, but witness could see that that was so. The deceased had seemed a little depressed lately, but there was nothing to indicate that he might take his life. His ship was torpedoed in the English Channel, and witness understood that ho had been two hours in the water before being picked up. Molly Brooke Dales, wife of the deceased, said they had been married for seven years, and had two children, one aged six years and the other four. On Saturday afternoon he took witness and tne children to the vaudeville, and they returned home about 5.45. The deceased had tea with them, and immediately after went to the front bedroom. Witness heard the report of a firearm, but thought it was someone letting off crackers outside. She then heard a fall, and went to the room, where she found the deceased lying on his back on the floor, with blood flowing from a wound in his forehead. She went to a- neighbour, Mr Glue, and Dr Linclon was sent for. She had never seen anything, nor had the deceased ever said anything that would indicate in any way that he might take his life. Their married life was a very happy one, aricl he was very fond of the children, lie had told her that he had received orders to proceed to next camp. Dr Lindon said that he found deceased on the floor fully dressed with the exception of his coat and waistcoat. The wound in the forehead was about two inches above the line of the eyebrows and the edges were blackened. Witness explained that from the position in which he located the bullet its course was downwards and to the left. The revolver was lying curled around his left foot. The cause of death was shock, caused by laceration of the brain. It was anpitrentiy a self-inflicted wound. George Glue also gave evidence, in which he said that when he got to the house Dales was quite dead. Lieutenant V. G. Jones, commanding the Artillery Detachment, Dunedin, said he had known the deceased for the nast eight years. Since his return he had always appeared to be normal. If the deceased had received any orders to proceed to camp he would have received them through witness; he had received no such orders. There had, however, been a lot of talk of a camp coming off about March at Wellington, but nothing had been officially decided. Deceased wenton leave on December 24, and returned to duty on January 7, when he appeared to be in his usual health. The revolver was American, not one issued by the New Zca land or British Governments. Deceased had told him that he had had a bad shake up from torpedoing, and witness thought that it must have had an effect on bis nerves. Sergeant Boulton, who represented the police, said that an examination of the revolver showed that it was fully loaded except for the one chamber discharged. Witness knew the deceased, and often spoke to him. Lately he had appeared downhearted, and witness thought he was worried. He would say that on Friday deceased appeared to he depressed. The Coroner adjourned tho inquest with the object of making further inquiries.