Ball, George 1910 November 25th Tisbury
The newly appointed Coroner for South Wilts, Mr W J Trethowan, of Salisbury, held his first inquest at the Arundell Arms, Tisbury, on Saturday, on a young labourer named George Ball, whose body was found on the railway.
Albert Ernest Ball, a labourer, living at Hindon Lane, Tisbury, said that the deceased was his brother, and was 29 years of age. He was married, and had a wife and four children.
Arthur D Cox, of Hatch, a porter on the L & SWR, stationed at Tisbury, said that at about 6.40 that morning, on his way to the station, he passed under Wick Bridge, and saw deceased lying by the pathway on the up road, face downwards, with his legs in the pathway. He appeared to have been struck by an up train. He was dead, and the back of his head was smashed, his brains being three or four yards away. The deceased had no right on the line.
PS Light, stationed at Tisbury, said since the previous Tuesday he had making enquiries about deceased with reference to a theft of potatoes. Deceased knew he was making the enquiries, as he had spoken to him on the Wednesday and told him what he was likely to be charged with. He denied the theft. That morning he saw the body lying as described, and, from its position, he thought the deceased must have placed himself there on purpose. His hands were clenched.
Dr C A Ensor, of Tisbury, said he found a large gaping wound at the back of the skull, which was smashed. The nose was also broken. The injuries might have been caused by the wheel of a railway train striking the skull. Judging from the injury to the nose, he should say that the deceased was lying on his face when he received the blow. He should say that death was instantaneous, and had occurred some hours, the body being quite cold when found. The cause of death was fracture of the skull and laceraton of the brain.
The jury returned a verdict of suicide, and added that there was no evidence to show the state of his mind.
They expressed their sympathy with the widow, and gave their fees to her.
Wiltshire Coroner's Inquests 1801-1920 