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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 19 Oct 1946
Page 6 Column 6
Bathpool Farmer's Wife
Inquest of Mrs. F. RICHARDS
Pathologist's Report
Mrs. Bridget Mary Radford RICHARDS, aged 61, the wife of Mr. Frederick RICHARDS, a well-known farmer, of Bird's Farm, Bathpool, died suddenly on Friday of last week.
After complaining of a bilious attack, she spent last Thursday in bed but soon after midnight was suddenly taken worse and died within an hour before a doctor could reach her. Her death was the subject of an inquest on Monday conducted by the Coroner, Mr. Geoffrey P. CLARKE.
Mr. RICHARDS said his wife had always enjoyed good health. He realised something was wrong at about 12.30 a.m. on Friday when his wife had “rattling” noises in her throat. He at once sent for help and 'phoned for a doctor, but she died about 10 minutes before he arrived.
A LIVER COMPLAINT
Dr. Crichton MacGAFFEY, pathologist stated that the cause of death was cirrhosis of the liver, which was almost invariably due to alcohol. It could be caused by taking it regularly, even though not excessively, over a long period.
In reply to the Coroner, Mr RICHARDS said he always made cider on his farm, and his wife had access to it. So far as he knew she was not in the habit of having anything but cider.
Returning a verdict of “Death due to alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver,” the Coroner said it was clear there had been no excessive drinking within the previous 24 hours, but that the cirrhosis was due to consumption regularly over a long period. He expressed sympathy with the relatives.
THE FUNERAL.
The funeral of Mrs. RICHARDS took place at West Monkton Parish Church on Thursday. Mrs. RICHARDS, who had lived in the parish for the whole of her life, is survived by her husband, Mr. Frederick RICHARDS, who is a well-known member of the Taunton Rural District Council, and four daughters.
The service was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. R. K. PAGETT, Mr. E. C. BLACKMORE was the organist, and he played Schumann's “Funeral March” before the service, and “O, Rest in the Lord” (“Elijah” - Mendelssohn) afterwards. The hymns “There is a Green Hill Far Away” and “Rock of Ages” were sung and the Psalm “The Lord is my Shepherd” was chanted.
The bearers were: Messrs. A. E. PARKER, C. R. RICHARDS, J. BISHOP, T. NATION, W. KERSWELL and F. GREADY friends of the family.
The chief mourners were:- Mr Frederick RICHARDS (husband), Mrs. F. E. CORNISH (mother), Mr. and Mrs. C. SELLICK (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. S. BEALE (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. B. PORTER (son-in-law and daughter), Mr. and Mrs. H. HUNT (brother-in-law and sister), Mr. and Mrs. A. JEFFEREY (brother-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. W. CORNISH (brother and sister-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. L. CORNISH (brother and sister-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. R. RICHARDS (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Miss R. RICHARDS (sister-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. E. WEBBER (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mr. and Mrs. T. RICHARDS (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mrs. M. RICHARDS (sister-in-law), Mr. J. M. CORNISH, Miss E. G. CORNISH and Mrs. A. L. TUCKER (cousins), Mr. W. CREECH (cousin), Mr. and Mrs. R. BAKER, Mr. and Mrs. L. HUNT (nephews and nieces), Miss F. KNIGHT and Mrs. W. G. BEALE (friends).
Others present included:- Mrs. MORGAN, Mrs. PEPPER, Mr. J. JEFFEREY, Mrs. W. AISH, Mrs. L. AISH, Mrs. HURFORD, Mrs. HOOPER, Mrs. PARRISH, Mrs. FITZBURGH, Mr. A. SPARKES, Mr. and Mrs. COOKSLEY, Mrs. CHANNON, Mrs. GANGE, Mr. C. H. BEXLEY, Mr. J. REDLER, Mr. J. H. MANNING, Mr. W. PRICE, Mr. E. G. PAYNE, Mrs. T. C. KNIGHT, Miss G. PORTER, Mr. A. HUNT, Mrs. BOOBYER, Mrs. PEARN, Mr. W. HUNT, Mr. T. HUNT, Mr. J. BROWN, Mrs. WARREN, Mrs. DOLLING, Mr. and Mrs. FORD, Mrs. E. HEBBERFIELD, Mrs. K. SELLICK, Mrs R. K. PAGETT, Mr. PARRISH, Mr. BENDLE, Mr. A. T. DARCH, Mr. and Mrs. F. ZEISBERGER, Mrs. E. F. GREEDY, Mrs. H. MANNING, Mr. H. G. PRING, Mr. and Mrs. H. W. PRING, Mrs. G. EDWARDS, and Mr. and Mrs. F. HUNT.
FLORAL TRIBUTES.
The wreaths were as follows: To a dear wife and mother from Fred, Queenie, Betty, Freda, Clifford, Son, Christopher and Bertie; from her loving Mother; Annie and Harry; Maggie and Guss; Bridget, Anne, Christine and Margaret; Willie and Gwen, Frankie and Margaret; Leslie, May, Maureen and Kathleen; Marguerite and Greta; Dick, Kate and family; Rose; May, Edgar and Frank; Tom and Elsie; Bob and Clara; Mattie; Freddie and Aubrey; Myra and Frank; Tom and Phyllis; Bridget and Ron; William and Phyllis; Gertie, William and Margaret; Frank, Queenie, Joyce and Trevor; Uncle Ben and Aunt Lily; Leslie and John RICHARDS; Iris, Les and Marlene; Mr. and Mrs. L. and S. WOODRIFFE; Mr. and Mrs. A. G. SELLICK and family; Mr. and Mrs. BEALE and family; Mr. and Mrs. J. JEFFERY and Jack; Mr. and Mrs. E. G. PAYNE; Mr. and Mrs. S. COOKSLEY; Mr. and Mrs. G. PRICE; Mrs. CLEMENTS and family; Mr. and Mrs. WAY; G. F. CONWAY-COLES and Evelyn; Mr. and Mrs. GRAY and Jean; Mr and Mrs. J. H. MANNING and family; Mr. and Mrs. W. WARREN; Mr. W. HUSSEY; Mr. and Mrs. A. E. DENMAN; Miss F. KNIGHT; Jay, Jim, May, Jack and family; Elsie, Florrie, Fred and Willie; Mr. and Mrs. Charlie TROTT and family; C. and F. ZEISBERGER; Mr. and Mrs. Reg PAYNE and family; Mr and Mrs. SHORT, and Doris and Jack; Mr. and Mrs. ATTIWELL; Mrs Bessie PARSONS and family; All at Bridge Stores; Ken, Minnie and family; Mr. and Mrs. W. H. PRING and Harold H. J. ROWE and family; Mr. and Mrs. PARRISH and family; Arthur and Beatie BALL; Mrs. Rose CORNISH and family, Mr. and Mrs. Percy CORNISH; Mr. and Mrs. E HABBERFIELD and family; Mr. and Mrs. J BROWN and Mr. and Mrs. GOVIER; Mr. and Mrs. W. BAKER; Mr. and Mrs. H. J. PRING (senior); Mr. and Mrs E. F. GREADY and Hilda; Mr. and Mrs. JARVIS; Mr. and Mrs. BOND and family; Bill and Mrs KERSWELL, Doris and Leslie; Mr. F. L. PORTER and family; Mr. and Mrs. A. C. DREW; Mr. and Mrs. B. FOXWELL; The West Monkton Parish Councillors.
The funeral arrangements were entrusted to Mr. Leonard E. SMITH, of Haydon-road, Taunton.
Mr. RICHARDS and family wish to thank their many friends for their messages of sympathy and beautiful floral tributes received in their very sudden bereavement.