| Notes: | MFP. 5/5/1881 he enlisted in the 87 Foot (Royal Irish Fusiliers) No. 2582, age 11years 146 days born Birmingham, Warwickshire, occupation tailor, next of kin Mother, Buttervant, Co Cork, Ireland, 27/9/1891 transferred to MFP, 27/9/1891 died at Chatham. Inscription on gravestone: Erected in memory of L/Cpl Michael McDonnell, Military Foot Police, who departed thi
Extract from the Chatham News 3 October 1891.s life on 27th September 1891, age 25 years. RIP.
Michael McDonnell.
SHOCKING SUICIDE OF A SOLDIER.
Extraordinary Letters From The Deceased.
Lance Corporal Michael Mc Donnell, a member of the Military Foot Police, stationed at Chatham, came to a terrible end, on Sunday morning last. He left duty shortly after midnight, and returned to his quarters. There he engaged in conversation with his comrades and after about half an hour left, and was never seen alive, his lifeless body being found shortly before eight o'clock in the bath house, by a private of the East Kent Buffs, who has charge of the buildings. An examination of the body too plainly showed the fact that deceased had taken his own life, for in his hand he grasped a six chambered revolver with one chamber empty and five loaded, while in the roof of the mouth was a bullet wound evidently self-inflicted. The unhappy man seems to have gone very methodically to work in perpetrating the deed. He wrote three farewell letters - one to the jury, another to his brother and a third to a comrade. The death was rendered all the more sad by the circumstances under which McDonnel had lived. He was pronounced secularist and devoted a greater part of his leisure time to the study of Free Thought literature. According to his letter to the jury he was not in good health, and he stated that unfortunate acquaintance he had formed with a woman had caused him much unhappiness. The deceased was acquainted with a large circle of both military and civilian friends by whom he was much esteemed and to them the shocking termination of his life is a matter for deep regret. He was also a promising young "non com." having been transferred from the Royal Irish Fusiliers some little time ago.
THE INQUEST.
Mr E Woodgate, deputy coroner for the county held an inquest on the late Lance Corporal McDonnell, on Tuesday afternoon when Mr Dudman was chosen foreman of the jury.
Sergeant William Gale, in charge of the Military Foot Police at Chatham, identified the body as that of Michael McDonnell a lance corporal in the Military Foot Police. He was 25 years of age, and was a single man. Witness last saw the deceased alive on Friday morning. Witness had known him since December 1887. He was always of a cheerful disposition, and was a sober man. Witness produced the three letters found in the kit of the deceased, of which he took charge after the death. There was also a box of 41 cartridges, and a quantity of free thinking literature, relating to religious matter. The letters were in the hand writing of the deceased.
The Coroner read the letters as follows:- "25th September, Military Police, Strood. Gentlemen of the Jury - I, Lance Corporal McDonnell am about to blow my brains out. I am a victim to hereditary -------m I have suffered from my childhood from an obscure nervous disease. Hence at times circumstances occur over which I have not control, coupled with other circumstances that led me to take this extreme step. In conformity with my intellectual convictions I earnestly desire no religious ceremony shall be performed over my grave, I am, yours respectfully. (No signature).
The second letter was also dated from Strood, on the 25th September, 1891, and ran thus, "Dear Brother, - Doubtless this will come as a surprise to you, but we live in a strange world. I need hardly say that my thoughts of suicide have always been repugnant to my feelings, but still we must put up with the inevitable. I hope and trust your will break the news gently to our mother. I remain with more than a brothers's love, yours affectionately, Michael."
The third and last letter was addressed to Private Davey a friend of the deceased, and ran -
"Dear Davey - To you I bequeath all my literature, pictures and small kit. Please accept the good wishes of an unfortunate man. I remain yours sincerely. M. McDonnell."
Colour Sergeant Henry Light, of the East Kent Buffs, stationed at Chatham said that on Sunday morning at about eight am Private Vivian, of the Buffs, reported to witness that he had found a man who appeared to be ill in the bath house. Witness at once proceeded to the spot and found the deceased sitting on a seat. He was leaning with his face against the wall on which there was blood. He shook him but could get no answer. Witness then ordered his removal on a stretcher, and as he was about to be removed a revolver dropped from his hand. Witness the put a sentry on the door and sent for the police and a doctor. Deceased was quite dead when he left him.
Private George Vivian, also of the East Kent Buffs, deposed to finding the deceased in the bath house. Several others had been to the bath house that morning. Witness had not heard the report of the revolver, and thought the deceased to be in a drunken sleep.
Surgeon Captain Long, stationed at Chatham, said he was called to the deceased. He found him dead, and had probably been so over three hours. There was a wound in the roof of the mouth, such as would be caused by bullet from the revolver produced. There was a considerable quantity of blood.
Lance Corporal Alfred Green, of the Military Foot Police, said he had known the deceases since August, 1886, when he joined the police. He had known him continually, and had stayed in the same barrack room since December, 1887 He last saw him at a few minutes to one on Sunday morning in the barrack room, he had just come off duty from Fort Pitt. He was in the room about half an hour, and had a smoke and a general conversation with several of the men. He appeared to be in good spirits. Deceased left the room and went to the rear and did not come back again. Deceased was an atheist and a member of the National Secular Society of London. Religious matters were his general topic of conversation. he used to read a great deal of free thinking literature, and witness used to think he overcrowded his mind, as he would sometimes appear very thoughtful. Witness also thought him at times eccentric. Deceased had told him that he was suffering from a rupture.. Since he had been on leave deceased appeared to be more quiet than usual.
The Coroner thought the facts very clear. If there was such a thing as "religious mania," no doubt the deceased was affected by it.
The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind." |
UNITED KINGDOM
