Mexborough and Swinton Times March 6, 1936

Conisborough Clerk’s Death
Verdict of “Natural Causes”
Not Result of Sledge Spill

Following medical evidence that death was due to a duodenal ulcer of long-standing, the jury returned a verdict of “death of natural causes” at the inquest held at Conisborough on Friday on Norman Vivian Sinclair (48), colliery clerk, who died at the Fullerton hospital on Wednesday, February 26.

On January 18 Sinclair fractured his left leg when tobogganing at the Piggotts, Conisborough. He had since been in the Fullerton hospital and his progress was satisfactory until Saturday. February 22, when he had three haemorrhages. The evidence of Dr Forde showed however that these were due to the bursting of a blood vessel in the also and had no connection with the accident.

On Wednesday, following appeals for volunteers among the men working at the Denaby and Cadeby Main collieries were Sinclair was employed, a blood transfusion was performed in any unavailing effort to save Sinclair’s life.

Olive Sinclair (widow), 1, Holywell Lane, Conisborough, said her husband left home at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 18, and that time he was in good health. Later she was informed of the accident when he was brought home between five and 5.30. He was removed to the Fullerton Hospital sometime afterwards. He remarked that he had crashed into some railings and caught his foot.

In reply to the question by the coroner Mrs Sinclair said that her husband had always been in good health and had not complained of anything being wrong with his stomach. The only illnesses which he had ever suffered were influenza and sciatica. Mrs Sinclair went on to say that she did not think that the death of her husband was due to the crash.

The Coroner: that is a matter for the doctors to decide.

Nasty Spill

Norman Vivian Sinclair (13), son of the dead man, said that he went out with his father tobogganing on Saturday, January 18. They went to the Piggotts. On the first occasion his father went down the runway with Margaret Humphreys, and he went down with Emily Dickinson, and finally with him. During the first two runs there have been no trouble. When they were halfway down on third run he (the son) fell off. His father went on and crashed into some iron railings at the bottom. Along with others he went to the assistance of his father who said he thought he had broken his ankle. They pulled him home on the toboggan and Margaret went for the doctor. In reply to questions by the Coroner he said that the Piggotts were about three minute walk from his home, and they were dragging his father home on the toboggan he was in great pain. When he was tobogganing they went over a bump and it was this that cused him to be thrown off.

Margaret Alison Humphreys, 5, Holywell Cottages. Conisborough, also gave evidence.

Dr Thomas Forde said that Sinclair was admitted to the Fullerton hospital on Saturday, January 18, and examination showed that he was suffering from a compound fracture of the left leg. He was attended at the time by Dr Clarke, as he (Dr Forde) was away. But he took over the case on the following Tuesday or Wednesday. Later, his leg became septic, but under treatment improved, and progress seem quite satisfactory until a week ago when he had three attacks of severe haemorrhage.

The doctor said, in answer to questions by the Coroner, that Sinclair told him casually that he had suffered slightly with his stomach since he was very young and his mother had given him, mild tea, but she had never considered it worthwhile having a doctor attend to him. Sinclair’s condition became worse on Wednesday last, and he died at 7 p.m. He made the post-mortem examination and found an extensive duodenal ulcer about the size of a shilling, and of very old standing. In the middle of the ulcer was an open blood vessel, but there were no signs of septic condition. The doctor went on to say that he did not think the accident had anything to do with the bursting of the blood vessel and that he would have died sooner or later from the ulcer in any case. His death was quite independent of the accident.

Summing up, the Coroner said that apparently the internal trouble was of old standing, although the wife did not seem to know about it. In view of the medical evidence he asked the jury to return a verdict of death from natural causes, and expressed sympathy with the widow.