Private Thomas Trueman Chester

A BARRACK ROOM TRAGEDY

SAD DEATH OF EX-DORKING POSTMAN

Under tragic circumstances the death took place at the Barracks, 335, Harrow Road, Paddington, on Saturday of Sergt. Thomas T. Chester, of the 41st Protection Company of the Royal Defence Corps. Deceased was found in his quarters with a revolver shot in the head, and he succumbed to his terrible injuries an hour later. Deceased’s wife lives at 9, Spring Gardens, Dorking, and she is left with three young children.

Sergt. Chester had an excellent military record. Born at Box Hill, he joined the Yorkshire Regiment in February 1893, and at the expiration of his period of Army service he was transferred to the Army Reserve, receiving his discharge in February, 1909. In 1904 he was appointed a postman at Dorking, and in November, 1914, enlisted in the National Reserve, now the Royal Defence Corps. He served throughout the South African War, and possesses the Queen Victoria and King Edward VII medals, the latter having six clasps for Belfont, Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Driefontein, Paardeberg, and the Relief of Kimberley. Deceased was 46 years of age, and much sympathy is felt for the widow.

Thomas Trueman Chester Death Notice © Dorking Advertiser

THE INQUEST

The circumstances of Sergt. Chester’s death were inquired into on Wednesday afternoon by Mr. C. L. Dew, at the Paddington Coroner’s Court.

Sergt-Major Seymour, No 41, Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps, identified the deceased, who he said joined the R.D.F. in November, 1914, and had a good character. He was a sober, steady cheerful man, and was friendly with everybody. At the time of his death the deceased was the sergeant on duty for the week. Witness last saw him alive about 2 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. He was then in his bunk, and witness went to see him about a guard of honour for Sunday morning. About 4.30 witness was sitting in his bunk when he heard a noise, and on going back upstairs saw Sergt. Chester lying back on his bed with a wound in his head. He was bleeding and unconscious and a revolver was lying on his thigh. Witness identified the revolver produced. It was not a service revolver, but a private one. There were some cartridges lying in a cardbox box in the room. The police and Dr. Wright were sent for, and death took place soon afterwards. Witness knew nothing that would cause the deceased to take his life, and he had never threatened to do so. He knew Sergt. Chester was a man who made a study of musketry, and the mechanism of a rifle. He thought, perhaps, he might have been studying the mechanism of the revolver, when it went off. A revolver was not part of the service equipment, and had never been served out.

Private William Weldon, of the same company, said he had known the deceased about 12 months, since they were billetted at Harrow Road. Witness last saw him alive on Saturday between one and two at dinner. At 4.30 witness had occasion to go to the deceased’s room, where he slept with a corporal, and he then saw Sergt. Chester lying with his head over the bed and there was a pool of blood. Witness did not know deceased had a revolver.

By the Coroner : He was the last man in the world witness thought would take his life. He knew no reason why he should do so.

Thomas Truman Chester Coroner’s Report © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk

Quartermaster-Sergt. Huggett said he had known deceased since April. He was a most steady, sober man. He had a slight cold and pains in his head for some time. Witness advised him a day or two ago to see a doctor, but he said he would let the cold take its course. Witness was called by Pte. Weldon, and found deceased as had been described, bleeding from a wound in the head, which leaned over sideways as he sat on the bed Deceased was always on good terms with everyone. He had never heard the deceased speak of any trouble, either domestic or otherwise, and witness thought he would be the last man to take his life.

P.S. Hewitt said the revolver was attached to a strap around deceased’s waist.

Dr. Edward Wright, police divisional surgeon, said deceased had a wound in the head about 1 1/2 inches above the right ear, the bullet having come out the other side.

P.C. Barnett Coroner’s Officer, said deceased had upon him five £1 notes, and a watch, but nothing bearing on the tragedy.

The just returned an open verdict, there being not sufficient evidence to show if the wound was accidentally or intentionally inflicted.

The funeral took place at Kensal Rise Cemetery on Thursday with military honours.

Thomas Truman Chester Coroner’s Report © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk