SOLDIER'S SUDDEN DEATH
THE INQUEST.
An inquest on the body of George Thomas McCleery, who died suddenly at Upper Junction on Monday afternoon, was held before Mr. H. Y. Widdowson, S.M., sitting as coroner, at the morgue yesterday afternoon. Deceased was 31 years of age, and had returned to the Dominion only three weeks ago. Sergeant McKenzie represented the police.
Hugh McCleery, father of deceased, said his son's name was George Thomas Alley McCleery. Before going to the war with the 6th Reinforcements the deceased had been a mill hand. He enlisted in Dunedin. The deceased returned by the Prinzessin about three weeks ago, and obtained his discharge. He was a lancecorporal, and was away three years and 352 days. He seemed to be in good health when he returned. Witness had been told by deceased's wife that be had complained of a pain in the left side, and had complained of the same thing in England. He married in England. He had written, saying he had been gassed, and had said he had been wounded in the right side. Witness was very much surprised to hear of his death. He never hoard of heart trouble in the family. Deceased was born at Outram.
Dr Evans, in reply to the coroner, said he had not yet made a post-mortem. The Coroner said he would later adjourn the inquest.
Charles Hume, a returned soldier, said he met deceased for the first time on Monday morning. The two had been to the Repatriation Board to get a job on the Westmoreland. Finding that they could not get a train to Port till evening, they arrranged to go to Normanby by tram and walk over the hill. They left town at 1 o'clock. They had one drink at the hotel at Normanby. After the tramcar and going about 200 yards up the hill deceased said: "Don't go so fast. I've got a pain in my chest." He seemed to be short of breath, he said his heart had never troubled him. He also said he had not been gassed. They took matters very steadily, and took several rests. Deceased seemed to get better, if anything. Just after passing the school near the Junction, deceased said: "Come into the side of the road. I feel bad." He fell down into the water channel. He groaned slightly, and his breath was labored for a few seconds, but he never spoke. A man came along in a vehicle, and witness got his assistance, to prop deceased up against a bank. Deceased became quite still. Somebody on foot came along and felt deceased's pulse, and tried his head, and said: "You can do nothing. The man's dead." Witness had been to a house to see if he could get some spirits to revive deceased, but no one was in. Two men in an express waggon came along, and they brought the body down to Normanby, where the local constable took charge. Deceased was quite cheerful, and in good spirits on the way.
The inquest was adjourned till 3.15 this afternoon at the courrthouse.
The Coroner, speaking to Mr Hume, said: "We wish to thank you for your attention to this man at the time, afterwards, and all the way through." -Evening Star, 30/7/1919.
The eventual verdict of the Coroner was that George McCreery had died of "syncope" - or passing out, due to enlargement of his heart.
The funeral of Lance-corporal George Thomas McCleery, who died on Monday, took place to-day. The remains were interred at Anderson Bay Cemetery, Chaplain R. Fairmaid, assisted by Chaplains R. F. Watson and Hopper, conducted the service at the home and the graveside. Lancecorporal McCleery left with the 6th Reinforcements, and after serving three years and 352 days, returned to New Zealand three weeks ago. -Evening Star, 31/7/1919.
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