Inquest into the death of Walter John Hulme 1951

Wow, I knew my brain was out of gear with all the Covid stress but it has been nearly 12 months since I posted about Walter John HULME missing in Wangaratta in 1951 and was intending to follow up with details of his Inquest.

Well better late than never.

Walter (1886-1951) was a first cousin of my Mum's maternal Grandmother Ada May Morgan nee Hulme.

He was the second child and only son of John Payne Hulme and Elizabeth O'Rourke of Oxley in Northeast Victoria.

Walter was a farmer who married Elizabeth Mary Skehan in 1913.

They had no children.

An Inquest was conducted by J.C Bell, Coroner.

Page 2

Proceedings before Coroners

Inquisition (without a jury)

An Inquisition for our Sovereign Lord King George, taken at Wangaratta Victoria, the 28th day of July 1951 and the  31st day of August A.D. 1951 in the 16th year of the Reign of our said Lord the King, before me John Colin Bell Gentleman, a Coroner of our Lord the King for Victoria, upon the view of the body of Walter John Hulme then and there lying dead.

Having duly inquired upon the part of our Lord the King when, where, how, and by what means the said Walter John Hulme came by his death, I say the the said died at Wangaratta on or about the 2nd day of July 1951 from Asphyxia willfully self inflicted by drowning himself in the One Mile Creek on or about the date aforesaid.

In witness whereof I the aforesaid Coroner have to this Inquisition put my hand and seal on the day and the year and at the place above mentioned.

J. C. Bell

Coroner

The deceased was a man of 64 years of age and resided at 59 Swan Street Wangaratta with his wife where he had considerable property interests.  Some months ago he had been a patient at the Wangaratta District Base hospital where he had had an operation for a double hernia, and since his discharge he had been going about normally, but in the last week or so before he disappeared from his home, it had apparently become apparent to some his relatives and his wife that he was not acting quite normally in his mental condition and it appears that a close watch was being kept on his movements at his home on the evening of the 1/7/51 the deceased retired to to to bed, and when his wife entered his room the following morning at about 7.45am, it was then found that he was missing.  He was then reported to the Police as a Missing Friend, and later search parties were organised to try and trace him all being of no avail.  At about 2.30pm on 28/7/51, I received a telephone message from Mrs Peacock of Edward Street Wangaratta. I went to her home in company with 1/C Land and Mrs Peacock informed us that he two small children had been down on the One Mile Creek gathering gum tips, and they had come home and told her that they has seen a man's boots in the creek.  The two children accompanied us to a point in Phillipson Street Off the Yarrawonga Road where they pointed out in the bend of the creek where they had seen the boots of man in the water.  I went to the creek at this point where I saw the legs of a man and I got the grappling iron, and pulled the body towards the bank, and then lifted it out of the water, I then saw that there was a heavy piece of railway rail about 12 inches long tied to the deceased neck with a piece of rope the iron rail weight was about 20 lb in weight.  This weight was sufficiently heavy enough to weigh the upper portion of the deceased body down under the water causing the head to rest on the creek bed.  The water at the point where the deceased was found was about 3 feet 6 ins deep.  The body appeared to have been in the water for some considerable time.

The Friday before the deceased disappeared from his home he called at Maroney's garage in Reid Street where he spoke to his sister Mrs Maroney, and as he was leaving he placed his arm around Mrs Maroney and kissed her, and then remarked Goodbye I mightn't see you again and then left.

Report of Death (for Coroner)

Name - Walter John HULME

Age - 64 years

Date of death - Probably the 2nd July 1951

Time of death - Not known

Place of death - One Mile Creek Wangaratta

Usual residence - 59 Swan Street, Wangaratta

By whom found or 

reported - Was reported a Missing Friend.  Found by two children named Peacock of Edward Street Wangaratta

Under what circumstances? - Found drowned in creek.

Was the body examined for marks of violence? - Yes

If so state result of examinations - no marks of violence could be found.

Any relatives?  Were they informed? - Yes

Are friends able to defray cost of burial? - Yes

Is there any suspicion of a criminal act 

or criminal negligence or any doubtful 

circumstances? If so give particulars. - There appears to be no suspicious circumstances

Probable cause of death (if apparent) - Drowning

Was body removed? - Yes

If so, where to? - Mortuary, Wangaratta District Base Hospital

Property found in possession (attach list if necessary) - Nil

Any expense incurred by police? - Nil

Was Coroner informed? - Yes, by telephone at 6.15pm on 28/7/51

State instructions received (if any) - Would hold Inquest.  Inquest opened for purpose of identification, and adjourned to a date to be fixed.

The deceased was a man of 64 years of age and resided at 59 Swan Street Wangaratta with his wife where he had considerable property interests.  Some months ago he had been a patient at the Wangaratta District Base hospital where he had had an operation for a double hernia, and since his discharge, he had been going about normally, but in the last week or so before he disappeared from his home, it had apparently become apparent to some his relatives and his wife that he was not acting quite normally in his mental condition and it appears that a close watch was being kept on his movements at his home on the evening of the 1/7/51 the deceased retired to to to bed, and when his wife entered his room the following morning at about 7.45am, it was then found that he was missing.  He was then reported to the Police as a Missing Friend, and later search parties were organised to try and trace him all being of no avail.  At about 2.30pm on the 28/7/51 I received a telephone message from Mrs Peacock of Edward Street Wangaratta. I went to her home in company with 1/C Land and Mrs Peacock informed us that he two small children had been down on the One Mile Creek gathering gum tips, and they had come home and told her that they has seen a man's boots in the creek.  The two children accompanied us to a point in Phillipson Street Off the Yarrawonga Road where they pointed out in the bend of the creek where they had seen the boots of man in the water.  I went to the creek at this point where I saw the legs of a man and I got the grappling iron, and pulled the body towards the bank, and then lifted it out of the water, I then saw that there was a heavy piece of railway rail about 12 inches long tied to the deceased neck with a piece of rope the iron rail weight was about 20 lb in weight.  This weight was sufficiently heavy enough to weigh the upper portion of the deceased body down under the water causing the head to rest on the creek bed.  

The water at the point where the deceased was found was about 3 feet 6 ins deep.  

The body appeared to have been in the water for some considerable time.

The Friday before the deceased disappeared from his home he called at Maroney's garage in Reid Street where he spoke to his sister Mrs Maroney, and as he was leaving he placed his arm around Mrs Maroney and kissed her, and then remarked Goodbye I mightn't see you again and then left.

POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION

Date 28/7/51

I have transcribed Post Mortem details but I feel it is a bit too gruesome to copy the transcription here.

If anyone would like a copy feel free to contact me.

Witness Depositions

This Deponent John Walter Maroney on his oath saith - I am an Auctioneer residing at 6 Turner Street Wangaratta.

I have this day viewed the body of a man at the Wangaratta Hospital Mortuary.  It is the body of Walter John Hulme aged 65 years.

He was an Uncle of mine.

signed

J. W. Maroney

***

This Deponent David Maxwell Whittaker on his oath saith - I am a Legally Qualified Medical Practitioner residing at Wangaratta.

On the 28th of July last I performed a post mortem examination on the body of a man which I was informed was the body of Walter John Hulme.

At the time of the examination I prepared a report which I now produce.  It would be correct to say the deceased died from asphyxia due to drowning.

signed DW Whittaker

***

This Deponent Elizabeth Mary Hulme on her oath saith  - I am a Widow residing at 59 Swan Street Wangaratta.

On the 1st day of July 1951 I was at my home in Swan Street with my late husband Walter John Hulme.  He retired to his bed at about 8.30pm, and I later took him in his sleeping tablets, I said to him, "Here are your tablets".  He said "Right Dick and took the tablets and some water and then said "I will sleep now and then kissed him good night and left the room the time would then be about 9.15pm my late husband occupied a room on his own.  Next morning I got up at 5.40am and unlocked the back door for Jack the man who works for us to come in, and I then went back to my room.  At about 6.45am I got up again came down to the kitchen, lit the fire and got the breakfast and about 7.45am I went to call my late husband and found that he was not in bed.  I had not heard the deceased leave the house as I may have dozed off when I went back to bed after unlocking the door.  Prior to my late husband disappearing he had had an operation for double hernia and when he returned home from hospital he appeared to be progressing in his health for a start, and then about a fortnight after he complained that he could not sleep and had a full feeling in the right side of his head, and Dr Roan who was his medical adviser prescribed tablets for him.  He took the tablets but still complained that he could not sleep, and he then lost interest in everything and complained of being very tired and could not sleep.  At no time did the deceased say anything or suggest that he would take his life, and I think the deceased left the house between 5.40 when I first unlocked the door and 6.45am.

My husband suffered loss of memory 15 years ago.  He has had no sign of this from then until after he had his operation.

Taken and sworn before me the 31st day of August 1951 at Wangaratta

J. C. Bell Coroner

signed by E. M. Hulme

***

This Deponent - Jack Drayton on his oath saith - I am a Farm hand residing at 59 Swan Street Wangaratta.

I was Share farming with the deceased Walter John Hulme I last saw the deceased about 8.30pm on the evening of the 1st day of July 1951 he was then at his home.  At about 5.30am I went to the deceased house and got some biscuits it was the practice for Mrs Hulme to unlock the back door for me to go in.  I did not see the deceased that morning.

At about 7.40am Mrs Hulme called me and said "I can't find Watty" meaning the deceased, I then loked around the yard and then entered his bedroom and felt the bed it felt cold as though it had not been slept in for some time.  I was often in the deceased company and at no time did he say he would take his life.

The iron weight which was missing from the tool shed was used on the property by the deceased for an anvil and kept in the tool shed.

The piece of iron produced is similar to the piece used on the farm.  I made a search for the deceased that day and subsequent days.  I reported him missing that day.

Taken and sworn before me the 31st day of August 1951 at Wangaratta

J.C. Bell Coroner

signed Jack Drayton

***

This Deponent - Mary Maroney residing at 20 Warby Street Wangaratta

On the 29th day of June 1951 the deceased came to the Auction Mart in Reid Street and sat behind me where I was cashier at the Auction sale.  The deceased did not enter into any conversation and at no time did he say or give any indication that he would take his life, and as he was leaving he put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Good bye" or words to that effect that was the last time I seen him alive.  

The deceased was my brother.

signed Mary Maroney

***

This Deponent Frank Gardiner on his oath saith - I am a 1st Constable of Police residing at Wangaratta.

At about 2.30pm on the 28th day of July 1951 in consequence to a telephone message I went to Edward Street Wangaratta where I met Mrs Peacock and her two small children aged 6 years and 7 years.  I was accompanied by 1st Const Land.  Mrs Peacock informed me that her two children had been down at the One Mile creek gathering gum tis, and that they had come home and informed her that they had seen a man's boots in the creek.  The two children accompanied 1st const Land and myself to Phillipson Street off the Yarrawonga road to the One Mile creek where they pointed out to me the bend in the creek where they had seen the boots on the top of the water.  I went to the creek at this point where I saw the rubber boots and legs of a body in the middle of the stream.  The upper portion of the body was under the water from the buttocks, and the body appeared to be caught under a snag.  I then got the grappling iron and hooked it into the deceased clothing, and pulled the body to the bank, and with the assistance of 1/Const Land lifted the body from the water, it was in a rather decomposed condition and appeared to have been in the water for some considerable time.  As I lifted the body from the water there was a heavy piece of railway rail about 1 foot long and about 20 lbs in weight tied around the deceased neck with a piece of rope.  This weight was sufficiently heavy enough to weigh the upper portion of the deceased body down in the water, and causing his head to rest on the creek bed.  The water at the point where the body was lying was about 3 feet 6 ins deep.  The creek after flooding had receded and the water was then running within its banks, but before the body had been found the depth of the water at this point would have been approximately 8 fee during the height of the flood caused by the heavy rains after the deceased had become missing, and as the result of the weight around the neck it would not have been possible to see the body until the water had gone down to a level which enabled his legs to come to the surface.  When I first lifted body from the water I could (see) that it was th body of that of Walter John Hulme who had been reported missing from his home since the 2nd July 1951 26 days before the body was recovered, by the description of the clothing, rubber ankle boots and the build.  Apparently the deceased had entered the water some distance up stream from where the body was found as there is a big hole in the bend of the creek above where the body was found and apparently the current when the creek was in flood washed the body down to the point where it was recovered.  I could find no indications on the banks as to which side of the creek the deceased had entered the water or how he entered the water after fastening the wight around his neck.  I have interviewed all available witnesses and it appears that after the deceased had had an operation and returned to his home he commenced to lose all interest in things that he had taken a great pride in before, and appeared to become depressed and tired.  There appears to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the deceased death.  The weight which was found tied to the deceased neck was used at his home for an anvil, and was kept in the tool shed.  

Ex "B"   The piece for iron produced is the piece referred to.

signed F Gardiner.