Boer War medal.
The Tumut and Adelong Times 30 Spe 1930
SUDDEN DEATH OF MR. HERBERT COWLEY ('DARBY') KINRED A deep gloom was cast over Tumut and district on Saturday morning last when the news became circulated that Mr. Herbert Cowley ('Darby') Kinred, of Fitzroy-st., had collapsed while at work on a building in Russell-st. and had suddenly expired. The circumstances surrounding the sad occurrence are given in the evidence adduced by his mate at the inquest, held before Coroner R. L. Blakeney at the Court-house yesterday, and published below. Deceased was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Kinred, of Simpson-st., Tumut, and was 48 years of age. He leaves a widow (nee Miss Lowther) and an only child, Miss Mavis, father and mother, three brothers (Fred of Tumut, Clarence of Sydney, and Claude of Queensland) and two sisters (Miss Kinred and Mrs J. N. Adam of Tumut). Deceased served in both the Boer War in Africa and the Great War. Space at our disposal this issue does not give us scope for the obituary we desire to publish, therefore it is held over for next issue.
THE INQUEST Dr. J. W. Mason deposed: On 27th inst. received a telephone communication about 8.30 a.m. to attend a man who was ill. On arrival, found the man, Herbert Cowley Kinred, already dead. Was told he had just lifted a heavy bag of cement, about one cwt., and that he had then collapsed and died almost immediately. There were no signs of any marks on the body, except one or two minor abrasions on one hand, and no marks of violence. In my opinion he died of sudden heart failure, following the lifting of the heavy bag of cement. Deceased had been dead about five minutes when I arrived ; the body was quite warm and fully clothed. Could not say personally that he had suffered from heart disease, but I have been told by his companion workmen that a week previously he had complained of severe pains in his chest and left shoulder, which are symptoms of augina pectoris. Any sudden shock, or lifting a heavy weight, would be likely to bring on an attack which might prove fatal, if suffering from this complaint. From my examination I found him to be well nourished and muscular, and a man of about 50 years of age. Edward William Holloway, bricklayer, deposed: Knew Herbert Cowley Kinred since middle of January last, and have been with him nearly every day since, working with him. Deceased was a bricklayer by trade, a hard-working man and a first-class tradesman. On Saturday morning last I was working with deceased at one of Learmont's shops in Russell st. Left home at 14 minutes to 8, and turned up Merrivale-st. ; this was on Saturday morning last. Deceased was in front of me and waited until I caught him up. We walked up to and stood in front of the shop in Russell-st. He looked at his watch and said, 'It's 8 o'clock; we'll get to work.' We then walked through the building to the back and it started to rain. Deceased said, 'What do you think about it, Ted?' I said, 'I'm not fussy; it's Saturday morning; how do you feel?' He said. 'I'm first rate.' He, after some further conversation, looked at his watch and said, 'It's a quarter past eight, Ted; you'd better mix a batch of cement up while I level the brick work.' I then sieved and wheeled the sand over to where we were to mix it. He then picked up a bag of cement, carried it about 10ft. and dropped it on the sand. He then took his knife out, cut the stitches of the bag, pulled the top off and I emptied it. Deceased stood by while I emptied it. We both picked up shovels and shovelled the edges of the sand up and started to mix it. After four to six shovelsful, deceased stood up, placed the shovel in the heap, and walked past me. After I turned another four shovelsful, the thought flashed through my mind that he had his hand to his forehead — his right hand. I turned round, saw him sitting down on a bolt of bricks resting against the back bolt. Before I could speak, a tremor went through his body, which I saw his lower jaw dropped, and he crashed forward, through his knees, and hit the concrete floor before I could reach him. I picked him up, sat him on the bricks, with my left leg under his shoulders and my left arm under his head to keep him in sitting position. Then attracted the atention of Mr. Quong to ring for doctor at once, and to get some brandy, but before either arrived deceased had died. Some time elapsed before the doctor came and examined him, and asked me if I had sent for the police. I said, 'I had no time to think of it.' The doctor then agreed to go for police, and shortly after I called Crichton who was working in the shop, and laid deceased flat, with his assistance. Shortly after Dr. Mason returned, in company with the Sergeant, and they made a careful examination of the body. When the doctor first came he said Kinred was dead. (Balance of inquest next issue) . |