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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 18 Jul 1936
Page 7 Column 8
SOMERSET FARMER'S DEATH
AFFECTED BY PAINT 20 YEARS AGO
INQUEST EVIDENCE AS TO LEAD POISONING
An inquest was conducted on Saturday on Mr. William Douglas Swanton HEMBROW, of Holly Farm, Stoke St. Gregory. Aged only 45 years, he had suffered for twenty years from the effects of lead poisoning, believed to have been contracted from paint-work in his house. He was widely known in Somerset farming circles.
The inquest was conducted by the West Somerset Coroner, Mr. G. P. CLARKE.
Mrs. HEMBROW said they were married in April, 1915, and in the following month went to live at Birds Farm, Knapp. Orders were given for all the rooms to be decorated, and there was some delay before they moved in. Two or three months later her husband complained of terrible pains in the stomach and consulted doctors at Taunton. At Whitsun, 1916, he was taken to a nursing home suffering from lead poisoning. He lost the use of his hands and was unable to dress himself for several months. He was rejected several times for service in the Army on account of the poisoning. Ever since he had been suffering periodically. In October, 1935, she went with him to Clifton to see a specialist, who stated that lead poisoning was an important factor in his condition. Her husband attributed it to sleeping in the house during the three or four months when decorations were being undertaken. They had been unable to carry out any painting at the house for some time as they were afraid of a recurrence of the trouble in his fingers. Witness added that Dr. ILES had examined her husband's mouth and saw lead deposits on the gums. She had always understood that the poisoning was definitely attributed to the painting in the house.
CAUSE OF DEATH.
Dr. Richard E. SATCHWELL, North Curry, said he had attended deceased since October, 1935, when he was taken ill in the middle of the night with a heart attack. He had two similar attacks, and witness advised him to see a specialist in Bristol. The specialist confirmed his opinion that deceased was suffering from heart trouble and that lead poisoning was a contributory factor. Deceased gave up his work on the farm and made fairly good progress until the previous week. He died on Thursday from acute bronchitis, essential stupor tension, chronic lead poisoning, and chronic lephitis.
Returning a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, the Coroner expressed the opinion that the lead poisoning was probably caused by the painting in the house.
NATIVE OF ATHELNEY.
Mr. HEMBROW was born at Athelney Farm and educated at Langport Grammar School and Taunton School. He married Miss Winifred DUNN, of Court Barton, Creech St. Michael, 21 years ago, and went to live at Birds Farm, Knapp. Eight years later they went to Holly Farm, Stoke St. Gregory, which had been occupied by several generations of the family.
Mr. HEMBROW had always taken great interest in local affairs and had served as one of the parish representatives on Taunton Rural District Council for five years. For more than 20 years he had been a special constable and at the time of his death was Group Commander for Stoke St. Gregory. Last year he was awarded a long-service medal.
A successful farmer, Mr. HEMBROW specialised in the breeding of fat stock, and won several prizes at the last Taunton show. He was a member of the Fat Stock Show Committee and also belonged to the National Farmers' Union. While living at North Curry Mr HEMBROW was a warden at the Parish Church, and when he left the parish he became a sidesman. A staunch Conservative, he took a prominent part in elections. A fine all-round sportsman, he frequently hunted with the Taunton Vale Foxhounds. He was keenly interested in cricket and a good shot.
He leaves a widow and three children with whom sincere sympathy has been expressed.
RURAL COUNCIL'S TRIBUTE
Taunton Rural District Council, at their meeting on Wednesday, decided to send a letter of sympathy to Mrs HEMBROW and family.
The Chairman, Mr. Robt. BRUFORD remarked: “Mr. HEMBROW did his best and proved very helpful to us. His death, in the prime of life, is a loss to this Council.”