Death of Thomas Fletcher Pidgeon

My Grandfather committed suicide in 1931. Below are Stockport newspaper reports and a transcription of his death certificate covering his "mad act". Thomas's younger brother Joseph had committed a similar act in 1918, and Thomas's death had a devastating effect on his family, raising questions linking suicidal tendencies and heredity. Fortunately, these proved to be groundless.

The Advertiser Friday, July 24, 1931

WORRIED BY HIS WORK

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REASON FOR HAZEL GROVE MAN’S SUICIDE

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DESPAIRING FAREWELL NOTE

A farewell note, found in the dead man’s jacket pocket, was produced at the inquest at the Ebenezer Chapel, Hazel Grove, yesterday, on Thomas Fletcher Pidgeon (52), a foreman bricklayer, of 60 Commercial Road, Hazel Grove, whose body was found with his throat cut in a pool of blood in the basement of the Hazel Grove Cooperative Society’s premises on Wednesday evening.

The note read: “Dear All, Forgive this mad act. I cannot get on with my job. It’s terrible the way it worries me. I know nothing about the drain,” and it was revealed that he had been worrying over the job he had been engaged upon.

The widow, Mary Jane Pidgeon, said her husband had an operation for appendicitis in 1924, and his health had never been good since.

Walter Pidgeon, a brother, said deceased had latterly worried over trifles.

GENERAL SEARCH

Samuel Tomlinson, a joiner of Station Road, Hazel Grove, said deceased was working on a building in course of erection in the yard of the Cooperative Society’s premises. He lost Pidgeon between 1.30 and 2 pm, and a general search for him was organised when the men left at 5.30.

“I went into the boiler house, and saw Pidgeon lying on the floor,” he said. “An open razor was near his left hand.”

Tomlinson said Pidgeon spoke to him during the morning and said “This little bit of a job is worrying me. It is not the boss’s fault, I cannot get my mind working.”

Joseph Smith, Pidgeon’s employer, said deceased had been on the particular job for 12 weeks, but it was easy work for a man of his experience.

The coroner (Mr. J. A. K. Ferns) recorded a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind. “I am satisfied that his mind has not been stable for some time,” he said.

Stockport County Borough Express Thursday, July 30, 1931

FOREMAN BRICKLAYER’S SAD END

A verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind was returned by Mr J. A. K. Ferns, Stockport District Coroner, at the inquest on Thursday 23^rd inst., on Thomas Fletcher Pidgeon(52), foreman bricksetter of Commercial Road, Hazel Grove, who was found lying dead in the boiler house in the basement of the Hazel Grove Cooperative Society’s premises on Wednesday evening. It was stated that the deceased’s health was not good, and that he worried over his work. Samuel Tomlinson, joiner of Station-road, Hazel Grove, said a statement was made to him by Alfred Thatcher, plumber, of Lever-street about 5.30 pm and on going into the boiler house he found deceased lying in a pool of blood, with an open razor near him. Earlier that day deceased had told him he was worried over his job and that he “could not get his mind working.”

Evidence was also given by Sergeant Hunt, and it was further stated that a note was found in the deceased’s pocket stating that he could not get on with the job. “It is terrible the way it worries me,” he wrote. “I know nothing about the drain.”

The Advertiser Friday, July 31, 1931

Obituary

Mr T. F. Pidgeon The funeral of Mr Thomas Fletcher Pidgeon, of 60 Commercial Road, Hazel Grove, took place at Norbury Church on Friday last.

The Rev. H. Hooper officiated, and the principal mourners were relatives and friends of the deceased. There were several floral tributes.

Death Certificate (Registration District of Stockport, Cheshire)

When and where died	Twenty second July, 1931. Boiler House, Cooperative Stores, London Road, Hazel Grove U D
Name and Surname	Thomas Fletcher Pidgeon
Sex	Male
Age	52 years
Occupation	Foreman Bricklayer of 60 Commercial Road, Hazel Grove
Cause of Death	Haemorrhage from a wound in the throat. Deceased not being of sound mind, killed himself by cutting his throat with a Razor in the Boiler house of the Cooperative Stores, London Road, Hazel Grove on the twenty-second July 1931. No P.M.
Signature, description and residence of informant	Certificate received from J.A.K. Ferns Coroner for Cheshire (Stockport District). Inquest held twenty-third July 1931.
When registered	Twenty-fifth July 1931
Signature of registrar	Frederick Andern

Ian C Pidgeon

Thomas Fletcher PIDGEON