Preece Family Tree

My thanks to Lindsey Withers and GENUKI Devon for drawing my attention to this article and for providing a transcription.

A SPLASH IN THE NIGHT.

SUICIDE OF A MARINE IN HAMOAZE.

WOULD-BE RESCUER COMMENDED.

The County Coroner (Mr. A. De Castro Glubb) held an Inquest yesterday on the body of Pte. J. Buckingham, R.M.L.I., which was found on the beach at Wilcove, near Torpoint. The deceased was missed from his ship, H.M.S. Phaeton, lying in Hamoaze, off Saltash, last week. When recovered the body was dressed in civilian clothes. The inquiry was held at the Workhouse. Mr. Eyton Peck (Devonport) was present, representing the Admiralty.

Frederick Lean, private, R.M.L.I., stationed on board the Phaeton, said there were four privates and one corporal on board the ship, the deceased being one of the privates. His full name was James Sidney George Buckingham. The Phaeton was an old second-class cruiser, out of use. On July 8 Private Buckingham had holiday. He went ashore at 11 a.m. for the day. His home was at Ugborough, but his wife was in London at the time. Deceased returned at 9.30 p.m. in a waterman's boat. He had been drinking, but was quite capable of carrying out his duties. He was in no way intoxicated. He knew deceased had been drinking because he could smell liquor. They had a half-hour's chat, and then deceased went below. He seemed in good spirits at the time. At 11.45 witness was still on duty and shortly afterwards was relieved. He went to the charthouse to turn over his orders and suddenly heard a splash. The sound came from the port after sponson. He rushed to the spot and heard a faint groan. At once he threw a lifebuoy and held a light over the side. Recognising the sound as coming from Buckingham, he called to him, but got no answer. Shortly afterwards the police boat came along. Private Harry, who was also stationed on the ship, jumped overboard in an effort to save deceased. In further evidence witness said deceased came aboard in private clothes, saying he had left his uniform in Plymouth. He also remarked: "Well, Jack, I have finished." Witness thought he meant that he had finished going ashore as his wife was coming from London the next day (Tuesday).

The Coroner: Was he worrying about anything?

Witness: The only thing he worried about was his mother-in-law at Ugborough, who had died.

Replying to Inspector Broad, witness said there was a rail around the ship 3ft. 6in. in height. He had often seen the deceased standing close to the rail smoking when off duty. It was possible he dozed off and fell overboard.

SOMEBODY OVERBOARD.

William Edward Harry, R.M.L.I., also on the Phaeton, said he saw the deceased when he returned to his ship in the evening. Deceased was sober. He heard him remark that he "had finished," and he supposed he meant that he would not be able to run ashore so much because his wife was coming back from London. Deceased went to his cabin and witness never saw him alive again. Witness relieved Private Lean at twelve o'clock. He heard the splash, and Lean remarked: "There is somebody overboard." He heard a faint groan from the water. Witness at once divested himself of his clothes and jumped into the water, but could not find Buckingham. In his opinion deceased jumped overboard deliberately. There was a guard around the ship and he did not think a man would fall over accidentally.

BODY ON WILCOVE BEACH

Inspector Maddeford, Metropolitan Police, said he was in the Police boat patrolling the harbour at midnight on Monday, when he was hailed by someone on board the Phaeton. He ran alongside and was informed that a man had gone overboard. At 3.50 p.m. yesterday, while in the Police steam pinnace patrolling the harbour, he was informed that a body was lying on Wilcove Beach. He went there, and found the body, which he removed to the mortuary at the workhouse. The body was searched, and 5s. and a halfpenny were found, together with a letter that was addressed to deceased's wife which had not been posted.

A PITIFUL MESSAGE.

The Coroner read the letter, which was an exceedingly long one. He afterwards said it was a very painful letter, which he thought should not be read in public. The purport was that the man was in a dreadful state of mind and was asking his wife to forgive him. He also said he was like a man haunted. In one place he wrote: "So now, once again, I ask your forgiveness, or shall I have a watery grave as my mind is so heavy?" -

STATEMENT BY WIDOW.

Ellen Buckingham, widow of the deceased, said there was a quarrel on the day of her mother's funeral, and her husband said he was going to cut his throat. He had an awful temper. There was no trouble between him and her mother, but deceased had often threatened to kill himself.

John Fredk. Richards, sergeant-major, R.M.L.I., said that deceased was twenty-eight years of age.

The Coroner said it was a sad case, and from the letter which had not been read showed that the deceased evidently contemplated committing suicide. He thought that the witness Harry was highly to be commended for his plucky conduct in jumping overboard on a dark night to search for the body.

A verdict of "Suicide whilst Temporarily Insane" was returned.

The Foreman of the Jury spoke most highly of Private Harry's conduct, and the Coroner called Harry forward and conveyed the Jury's opinion of him, saying that he was a very brave man, and that the commanding officer of his ship would be informed of his conduct.

JURY'S INCONVENIENCE

The jury drew attention to the need of a public mortuary, and thought the Urban Council should be written to pointing out this fact. It was not fair that they should come to the workhouse every time a body was found. This was the third or fourth body that had been lodged at the workhouse mortuary lately.

The Coroner: Do you wish me to write them a letter?

The Foreman of the Jury: It is highly desirable that you should do so - (hear, hear).

The Coroner: I certainly thing a town like Torpoint, on the border of so much water, should have a mortuary provided by the Council. If the jury express the wish that I should write the Urban Council I will certainly do so.

The jury unanimously resolved to ask the Coroner to write the letter, and he promised to do so.

THE MISSING MARINE.

BODY OF PTE. BUCKINGHAM FOUND NEAR TORPOINT.

The body of a man dressed in plain clothes was found off Wilcove yesterday afternoon badly decomposed and was brought to Torpoint by Inspector Maddeford, of the Metropolitan (Water) Police, and handed over to Inspector Broad, who with the assistance of the Water Police conveyed it to the mortuary. On searching the body letters were found which proved that the deceased was Private Joseph Buckingham, Royal Marine L.I., who was missed from H.M.S. Phæton, near Saltash, on the night of the 8th inst., he having returned from leave that evening. It was understood he intended going ashore again, as his leave did not expire until 9.30 the following morning.

There was nothing found on the body to indicate that it was a case of suicide. The coroner has been communicated with, and probably the inquest will be held to-day.