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Somerset County Herald and Taunton Courier. Saturday 14 Jan 1950
Page 4 Column 1
Engineer Who Had Cancer
Found by Milkman Gassed
Worried by ill-health, Mr. Henry Percy BAKER (56), a bachelor, told a milk roundsman on Sunday, “I don't care whether I live or die,” and the following morning the dairyman found him dead with his head in a gas stove at his home, 99, East Reach, Taunton. He was an engineer inspector at Avimo, Taunton, and lived alone.
The Assistant Coroner (Mr. P. E. G. SMITH) heard this story on Wednesday, when Dr. Crichton MacGAFFEY, pathologist(?), who made a post-mortem examination, revealed that Mr. BAKER had advanced cancer affecting the lower part of the stomach. In other respects he was entirely healthy.
LIVED ALONE
Miss Mabel Kate BAKER, saleswoman, 20, Canon-street, Taunton, said that until recently her brother lived with their mother, who then went to reside with witness. He then lived alone, but had meals with witness when he liked. He was in fair health until nine months ago, when he complained mostly of having no appetite, and he saw a doctor. He worried about losing weight. He had an appointment to see a surgeon at Taunton Hospital on January 9th. He was expected to dinner on Sunday but did not come, and when witness called to ask why, he said he did not feel well enough. She left him at 5.30 p.m., and offered to return in the evening, but he said he would have a hot water bottle and go to bed. A bottle of rum, almost full, was in the room when she left, but after the tragedy it was almost empty.
SAID HE DID NOT CARE
Mr. Cyril Clifford PALMER, dairyman, of 13, Lyngford Square, Taunton, said he had known BAKER many years. He had recently complained of his health, but seemed more cheerful when he knew he was going to hospital for an examination. He remarked, however, on Sunday, “I don't care whether I live or die.”
When witness called with the milk at 7.30 on Monday morning, there was not the usual light and there was a strong small of gas in the house. He found BAKER dead on the floor.
Mr. George Henry Hubert MANUEL, of 98, East Reach, who was called in by PALMER, said Mr. BAKER's head was in the oven with the gas tap on.
HAD DRUNK RUM
Mr. Frederick FUDGE, district gas inspector, of 10, Hayden-road, Taunton, who examined the stove, said it was in proper order and the tap could not have been turned on accidentally.
P.C. Clement BRAY said a doctor was called and stated that death had taken place several hours earlier.
Dr.(?) MacGAFFEY agreed that BAKER had drunk rather a large quantity of rum.
The Coroner recorded a verdict that BAKER took his life while the balance of his mind was disturbed and expressed sympathy with the relatives.
<NOTES: George Henry Hubert MANUEL son of Alfred James MANUEL and Beatrice May BICKNELL, married Dorothy Lily Rose WINTER>