TRAGIC DEATH OF Newbury Hospital Secretary

Mr D GRAHAM  ROBERTSON

Deep regret and sincere sympathy have been expressed at the death of Mr Duncan Graham Robertson, which occurred under tragic circumstances at his residence, “Torrie” St John’s Road, yesterday (Wednesday).  The deceased, who was 68 years of age, had been in ill-health, being confined to his home since Christmas.  He was suffering from heart weakness and diabetic trouble, and had got into a low and depressed condition, his chief concern being that he was unable to carry on his duties as hon. secretary of Newbury District Hospital, to the welfare of which he was so ardently devoted.

On Tuesday afternoon, his sister, who was living with him, missed him for a short period, and on search being made he was found in the lower part of the house with his throat badly cut.  Dr Kennedy, who lives opposite, was immediately summoned, and applied treatment to stop the bleeding.  The Matron of the Hospital was apprised and quickly attended, while two trained nurses were summoned from Reading.  Mr Robertson was then alive and recognised his friends, but it was realised that the case was hopeless.  Death occurred yesterday morning at 12.30 a.m.

The deceased was a member of a Scottish family, his parents living at Callender, Perthshire.  He was educated at Russell public school and went on to Cambridge where he took his degrees.  He adopted the teaching profession, and was assistant master for some years at a preparatory public school in Perthshire, to which he returned during war-time to carry on during the absence of members of the staff on service.  His father and mother came to live in the Enborne Road, Newbury and both are buried in Newbury Cemetery  .  After their deaths, the son and daughter kept on the home, latterly removing to St John’s Road.

Twelve years ago he became associated with the Hospital as a member of the Management Committee, and for seven-and-a-half years had discharged the duties of hon. Secretary.  He made this work the one object of his life, and, having leisure and administrative ability, his services proved of the greatest value to the institution.  He was in attendance several times daily, and kept in close touch with every detail, being largely responsible for securing new subscribers and supporters.  He made intimate acquaintance with successive patients, and his genial manner made him very popular with them.  A few years ago, on the initiation of Sir William Walton, the president, he was presented with a silver rose-bowl and candlesticks in recognition of his diligent labours.  Finding his illness prolonged, he intimated his intention to resign, but the management committee were loth to lose him, and invited him to remain in office, a deputy being appointed to relieve him of responsibility during his indisposition.  It was his knowledge that he could not accept this offer, and must sever his connection, which preyed upon his mind and led to his sad end.

Mr Robertson served in the Newbury Volunteer Corps, and his favourite recreation was the composition and solution of acrostics, in which he attained to considerable success.

DUNCAN GRAHAM ROBERTSON

THE LATE MR. D.G. ROBERTSON INQUEST AND FUNERAL

The distressing circumstances of the death of Mr. Duncan Graham Robertson, of St John's Road, necessitated the holding of an inquest. This was conducted by the coroner (Mr. Stanley V. Pinniger) at the residence on Thursday morning.

The only witness at the inquest was Dr. Kenney, who said he had been medical attendant to Mr. Robertson for the past nine years. He was 68 years of age, and of independent means. During the last three years deceased had been suffering from diabetes, which disease reacted upon the nervous system. He had also had high blood pressure. Sometime in January last Mr. Robertson told witness that he went for a walk towards Stroud Green, and had a momentary staggering fit, but did not lose consciousness. Dr. Adams, who was attending him at the time, told him it was due to weak heart, but he himself (deceased) was convinced that it had been a stroke and was going to have another. He was not only depressed but was having sleepless nights. He did not improve under treatment, and was convinced that his brain was affected. To reassure him, witness told him that he only had a functional condition, and that he would go over his nervous system the next day. That was on Monday last. Deceased seemed quite pleased by this, and was rather more cheerful, but on the following day Dr. Kennedy said that in consequence of an urgent message from Miss Robertson, who handed him an envelope (produced) addressed to her with pencilled writing on the back, he at once went over to deceased's residence. Going into the cellar he found deceased lying on his back with his head supported on a wooden box. He had a wound in the neck right through the larynx to the gullet behind. Superficial arteries and vessels had been severed, but the large vessels on both sides were not cut He had also a cut on the left wrist over the artery. He was perfectly conscious, but was suffering from profound shock, having lost a great deal of blood. A razor was lying at his left side.

Witness asked him if he had done it to himself, and he nodded. Nothing further could be done, and he lingered until about 12.30 that night, when he died. In witness's opinion he was a borderline case, and really did it in a moment of insanity. The writing on the envelope said "I have been on the verge of suicide for days." The Coroner certified that deceased had committed suicide while temporarily insane.

The funeral

The funeral took place on Saturday morning at the Newtown-road Cemetery, the vicar of St. John's (Rev. E.H. Stenning) officiating. The mourners were Miss Robertson (sister), Mrs. Fursdon and Mrs. Hume Henderson (cousins), Mrs. Baker and Miss Giles. Etc.

Newbury Weekly News 14 April 1927