R
Rod
Guest
I thought I might share this with you. I transcribed it from a newspaper of the time. Whe I found out about this tragedy I was very sad, I didnt know up until a few years ago that this had happened. My mom had carried it all her life without saying a word. Watching Jeremy Paxman get emotionaly upset reminded me of how I felt on reading the coroners report of the day. I get the feeling from this, but moreso from the coroners report that they thought my nan was to blame, it was 1929 after all and feelings about these things were very different to how they are now. and even though I never knew her I feel protective of her. The little girl reffred to in the story is my mum, goodness to read this the first time made me cry buckets.
Have a read
Mrs Marion Emma Walton, the wife of the dead man lives at 77, Douglas Road, Handsworth, and it was there that Walton lived until a few days ago. He left home saying he was taking rooms elsewhere, and it is known that he went to live with the woman Carter, who was also married in the Parade district of Birmingham. “I know of my husbands affair with this other woman.” Mrs Walton told “Sunday Mercury” representative. “It began, I think eighteen months ago, and my husband brought her here to tea, with Mr Carter.” “That is how I came to know her. I became suspicious, and challenged him about his association with her. He said I was accusing him wrongly.” “We were married in 1913, and he was good to my children, that is the best I can say of him. My happiness had gone, and when he left home and did not return, I knew I should not see him again alive. I knew he would never face it”
The pool where the tragedy occurred is in the midst of the Tennel Lane allotments, Harborne, and one of the plots had been occupied by Walton for two or three years. A fortnight ago he sold the plot for £5, but was seen there again a day or so later, in the company of the woman Carter.
Appeared Inseparable.
She and Walton, had in fact, been seen often at the allotment together, and appeared inseparable, and on very affectionate terms. It appears that the woman had stayed at the hut on occasions. She made no secret of the fact she was not his wife however, and admitted this much to Mr Pearman, who keeps the farm nearby. “Walton.” Said Mr Pearman. “ had a very likeable character. A better or straighter man never lived. He worked for me occasionally, and was one of the most industrious men men I knew. His plot was always a credit to him, and he took pride in keeping it neat and trim.” Fellow allotment holders of Walton’s say that he had a very agreeable disposition , but lately he appeared very worried and did not talk much. It is evident the tragedy occurred early
yesterday morning, the discovery was made about 10 o’clock for at 3 a.m. Mr Pearman was up and took a walk with his dogs in the direction of the pool.
There was then no signs of anything untoward, and the coat and hat belonging to Walton which were subsequently found on the fence skirting the pool were not there.
Housekeepers Discovery
They were found later in the morning by the housekeeper at the farm who identified them as Waltons by a letter in one of the coat pockets. “At first” said the housekeeper. “I thought it was just bunkum, I thought Walton had left them to make his wife think he was dead, for I knew there was trouble at home. Little did I think that was such a real tragedy.” “Mrs Walton used to come down to the farm for eggs and milk occasionally. He was a very respectable looking man, always took a pride in his appearance, and was pleasant to talk to, though he did not say much.” “The woman came with him as far as the gate sometimes, but she would do nothing more than pass the time of day. She did not seem to want to be asked questions, so we did not ask them.” “ They always had a little girl with them, a beautiful child. At first we thought she was drowned also, but we are glad to know she is safe.”
A Fatal Split.
The pool where the tragedy occurred has an evil reputation. It has been the scene of no fewer than twelve fatalities during the last few years, suicides and accidents. It is a small, but deep, about 30 feet and is known as “Horses Rest Pool”. At present it is only partially fenced, and there is a strong feeling in the district it should be filled up or properly fenced in. It belongs it is understood by the Corporation. Mrs Walton, to whom the news of her husbands death was not unexpected, put a brave face upon the tragedy when seen last night. She has four children, Charles Arthur, Leonard George, Lillian Gertrude, and Marion Olive. The eldest, Charles Arthur is now his mothers sole means of support. But said Charles Arthur “I intend doing my best to look after my mother now.” The inquest will be held on Tuesday
Have a read
MAN AND WOMAN DEAD IN POOL
Found Clasped in Each
Other’s Arms.
Other’s Arms.
A distressing story of domestic trouble and marital unhappiness lies behind the discovery in a pool on the outskirts of Harborne, Birmingham, yesterday of a man and woman
Early in the morning the bodies were seen in the water by a housekeeper, who worked close by, clasped in each others arms.
They were identified as-Early in the morning the bodies were seen in the water by a housekeeper, who worked close by, clasped in each others arms.
CLEMENT ERNEST WALTON, aged 48, a Post Office sorter, of 77 Douglas-road Handsworth;
BEATRICE CARTER, aged 31, of 2, back of 142, Vaughton-street, Birmingham.
WIFE NOT SURPRISED AT DEATH
BEATRICE CARTER, aged 31, of 2, back of 142, Vaughton-street, Birmingham.
WIFE NOT SURPRISED AT DEATH
Mrs Marion Emma Walton, the wife of the dead man lives at 77, Douglas Road, Handsworth, and it was there that Walton lived until a few days ago. He left home saying he was taking rooms elsewhere, and it is known that he went to live with the woman Carter, who was also married in the Parade district of Birmingham. “I know of my husbands affair with this other woman.” Mrs Walton told “Sunday Mercury” representative. “It began, I think eighteen months ago, and my husband brought her here to tea, with Mr Carter.” “That is how I came to know her. I became suspicious, and challenged him about his association with her. He said I was accusing him wrongly.” “We were married in 1913, and he was good to my children, that is the best I can say of him. My happiness had gone, and when he left home and did not return, I knew I should not see him again alive. I knew he would never face it”
The pool where the tragedy occurred is in the midst of the Tennel Lane allotments, Harborne, and one of the plots had been occupied by Walton for two or three years. A fortnight ago he sold the plot for £5, but was seen there again a day or so later, in the company of the woman Carter.
Appeared Inseparable.
She and Walton, had in fact, been seen often at the allotment together, and appeared inseparable, and on very affectionate terms. It appears that the woman had stayed at the hut on occasions. She made no secret of the fact she was not his wife however, and admitted this much to Mr Pearman, who keeps the farm nearby. “Walton.” Said Mr Pearman. “ had a very likeable character. A better or straighter man never lived. He worked for me occasionally, and was one of the most industrious men men I knew. His plot was always a credit to him, and he took pride in keeping it neat and trim.” Fellow allotment holders of Walton’s say that he had a very agreeable disposition , but lately he appeared very worried and did not talk much. It is evident the tragedy occurred early
yesterday morning, the discovery was made about 10 o’clock for at 3 a.m. Mr Pearman was up and took a walk with his dogs in the direction of the pool.
There was then no signs of anything untoward, and the coat and hat belonging to Walton which were subsequently found on the fence skirting the pool were not there.
Housekeepers Discovery
They were found later in the morning by the housekeeper at the farm who identified them as Waltons by a letter in one of the coat pockets. “At first” said the housekeeper. “I thought it was just bunkum, I thought Walton had left them to make his wife think he was dead, for I knew there was trouble at home. Little did I think that was such a real tragedy.” “Mrs Walton used to come down to the farm for eggs and milk occasionally. He was a very respectable looking man, always took a pride in his appearance, and was pleasant to talk to, though he did not say much.” “The woman came with him as far as the gate sometimes, but she would do nothing more than pass the time of day. She did not seem to want to be asked questions, so we did not ask them.” “ They always had a little girl with them, a beautiful child. At first we thought she was drowned also, but we are glad to know she is safe.”
A Fatal Split.
The pool where the tragedy occurred has an evil reputation. It has been the scene of no fewer than twelve fatalities during the last few years, suicides and accidents. It is a small, but deep, about 30 feet and is known as “Horses Rest Pool”. At present it is only partially fenced, and there is a strong feeling in the district it should be filled up or properly fenced in. It belongs it is understood by the Corporation. Mrs Walton, to whom the news of her husbands death was not unexpected, put a brave face upon the tragedy when seen last night. She has four children, Charles Arthur, Leonard George, Lillian Gertrude, and Marion Olive. The eldest, Charles Arthur is now his mothers sole means of support. But said Charles Arthur “I intend doing my best to look after my mother now.” The inquest will be held on Tuesday
