Widnes Examiner. — 1894-07-14 (Widnes, Cheshire, England)

SUICIDE OF A SOLDIER AT ORFOR.D BARRACKS.  A PATHETIC LETTER.  At twelve o'clock on Tuesday morning ColourSergeant James Walsh, of B. Company, 3rd Battalion Liverpool Regiment, committed suicide at his quarters in Orford Barracks. The deceased was 33 years of age, and had been in the service a number of years. He was president of the sergeants' mess,and was very much respected by all who knew him. The body was taken to the hospital to await the inquest which took place on Thursday in the Parade Room, at the Police Station before Mr. trighouse, county coroner. Mary Walsh, was the first witness called, and she said the deceased was her husband, and a colour-sergeant in the regiment stationed at Orford Barracks. She last saw him alive at half-past eleven on Tuesday morning, in his quarters at Orford Barracks. The deceased had been low-spirited and depressed for some time, in consequence of his health being bad. His eyes were bad, and he could not see to make up his books. She said that deceased had also received an injury to his head about three years ago, caused by a pole falling upon him.  Catherine Creagan, mother-in-law of the deceased, and residing in Marsh-st., stated that the deceased had been depressed and could not see properly. The last time she saw him alive was on Tuesday, at her daughter's house in the Barracks. Shortly before she left, the deceased went into another room to try and balance his books, and about ten minutes after she heard a report, but did not think much of it until her daughter (the wife of the deceased) asked her to go and see what it was, thinking it might be one of the children. She got up and opened the door and saw the deceased stretched out on the sofa with the gun lying across his body. On examination it was found that the deceased had taken his shoes and stockings off and tied one of his toes to the trigger of the gun, and so fired it off, blowing his brains out.  Colour-Sergeant Alfred Savage said that he knew the deceased intimately. He had last seen him alive at the sergeant's mess on Tuesday morning. For some time past he had noticed that the deceased was strange in his manner, but had no suspicion that he contemplated suicide.  Here the Coroner produced a letter, and asked Savage if the writing on it was that of the dead man. He replied that it was. The letter, which appeared to have been written some time before the deceased's death, contained the following "Dear Mary,—Bring up the two—David and James —not in the wa.y of their father. It is my only wish for them to look to their work and keep away from the drink. My head is almost bursting! lam too full to see you ! I can only say I am to.) much behind in my work. I am also ashamed to see my officer. Everything connected with the accounts making up the sergeants' mess account,is in the blue book. God bless you! —Your Jimmy. On no account must Mr. Ash, the captain Of my company,be put to any expense. Brooks has lost his kit."  Lieutenant Clarke was the last witness called, and he stated that the deceased's work was to take charge of the Company's accounts. He had noticed the deceased's strangeness of manner. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane."