William John Bessey

A Private with 10th Bn., William died on 29th of June 1915 at the age of 34. 

William was born at Oulton in 1880, a son of William and Sarah Bessey. He was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville, on 31 October 1880. In 1881 his family lived at The Street, Oulton, and in 1891 they were living at Yarmouth Road, Oulton. By 1901 William’s mother had died and his family lived next to Rose Cottage, The Street, Oulton, and in by 1911 they were living at 4 The Street, Oulton, and William worked as a plumber’s mate with the water and gas company.  

John volunteered and enlisted in the Army, at Lowestoft, in January 1915. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 18116. John was posted to the 10th Battalion at Bury St. Edmunds and, from April 1915, at Colchester. 

A full account of what happened to John was printed in the East Anglian Daily Times, 2 July 1915, page 3.

SUFFOLK SOLDIER’S SUICIDE NEAR LOWESTOFT

ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE

On Thursday afternoon, at the Mission Room, Oulton, the Suffolk Coroner (Mr. L H. Vulliamy) held an inquest concerning the death of William John Bessey, aged 34, of No. 4, The Street, Oulton, who was found hanging in his father’s workshop on Tuesday morning. – Inspector Moss (Oulton Broad) was present on behalf of the police.

William Bessey, jobbing gardener, deceased’s father, said his son was a private in a Suffolk Regiment. Witness last saw him alive at 6.40 on Tuesday morning, when deceased was in bed. His son joined the Army in January. When he came home on leave one day between Easter and Whitsuntide he told witness that he did not like the Army, as he could not stand noise. After returning to his battalion the deceased wrote to him stating that he was in the hospital, as he was a bit run down. Later on the deceased wrote stating that he had been medically certified for the service, and asked for his private clothes to be sent, as he expected to get a discharge. The clothes were sent on as requested, but the deceased arrived home about 8 p.m. on Monday in his uniform. He told witness that his civilian clothes were being sent on.

The witness said he noticed that his son was very low-spirited: he went to bed about 9 p.m. Witness followed shortly after, and slept with the deceased. Both he and his son lay awake part of the night; deceased could not sleep, and said his head was bad. The deceased told him he had left his regiment without leave.

Witness got up about 5 a.m. to go to his allotment, and the deceased remarked “I feel as if I could go to sleep now.” Witness returned home about 6.40. The deceased was still in bed, and witness gave him a cup of tea. Witness returned to his allotment, coming home again about 9 a.m. Deceased had then gone out, and as he did not return to breakfast witness looked for him and found him hanging in the workshop, the door of which was locked. There were no signs of life. P.c. Ling had been sent for an he broke the door open and cut the deceased down. Ten or twelve years ago deceased was in Melton Asylum for several months, but he had never heard him threaten to take hi own life. 

The Coroner: How long ago was it that the deceased wrote to you saying he was medically unfit?
Witness: About a month or three weeks.
During the last ten years had you seen much of the deceased? – Oh yes, he was always at home.

In reply to further questions the witness said the deceased was always of a quiet disposition. He told witness he was worried because he thought they would be after him, as he came home without leave. Deceased had complained of pain in his shoulder and of lumbago. His son hated the Army.
When he was taken to the Asylum what was his delusion? – I don’t know. He went there after he had influenza.     

The Foreman: Did you notice anything strange about your son? – No; only that he was a bit “downy”. I wouldn’t have left the house if I had thought hat his manner was strange.

Mary Ann Bessey, sister of the deceased, said she last saw her brother alive on Tuesday, about 7.20 a.m. Witness got up at 7 a.m., and deceased followed shortly after, saying that his head was bad. She gave him a cup of tea and went on with some work, when she missed her brother. She did not see him go out. 

The Coroner: Did you have any conversation with him? – Yes; he said his head was bad, that his shoulders ached, and had done so for some time. Her brother had never suggested to her that he would commit suicide. She did not know that he had any worry. 

P.c. E. Ling deposed that he found the deceased suspended from the roof of the workshop. He cut the cord, but found life extinct, the body being nearly cold. The cord, witness stated, was attached to a rafter about nine feet from the ground, and witness noticed some fresh dirt on the anvil near where the deceased was hanging, which was probably caused by his having stood upon it. Deceased was fully dressed, with the exception of his tunic; his boots were unlaced.

The Coroner, in summing up, said it was quite clear that the deceased took his own life by hanging; but the Jury had to consider the state of the man’s mind when he did so; whether he was of sound or of unsound mind. In recent times it appeared the deceased had suffered considerably from his head. During the night before he committed the act it seemed as if he did not sleep, and again complained of great pain in his head. This, coupled with the fact he had not been well of late, was sufficient to warrant the Jury in returning a verdict of “Suicide while of unsound mind.” On the other hand, it was a serious offence for a man to leave the Army without first obtaining leave and there was a possibility that the deceased realised it, and that perhaps drove him to take his life. Then it would be an act committed whilst in sound mind, and they could return a verdict of felo-de-se.

The Jury returned a verdict of “Suicide whilst of unsound mind,” and expressed their sympathy with the relatives. 

Note William's service number and date of death, as given here, are taken from Commonwealth War Grave records and the Army Register of Soldiers' Effects.

William's brother George was killed in action in 1915 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment.