Family Card - Person Sheet
Family Card - Person Sheet
NameFrederick William O’Leary 
Birth12 Dec 1885, Woolwich, Kent, England
Death21 Apr 1921, 20 Percy Road, South Norwood, England
Burial1921, Croydon - Plot 14: Grave 6762
OccupationSoldier, signed up for service at the age of 14 in 1900. Was wounded in WWI and discharged from service due to his injuries.
FatherEdward Francis O’Leary (1855-1886)
MotherFlorence Mary Alberta Fisk - Direct Ancestor (1859-1941)
Spouses
Birth22 Jan 1885, Mattishall, Norfolk, England
Death22 Oct 1918, 20 Percy Road, South Norwood, England of the Spanish Flu
FatherWillim Mann Horne
MotherBertha Dann
Marriage31 Dec 1910, Kensington
ChildrenMolly Frances (1912-)
Herbert Edward (1913-1918)
BirthDec 1894, Westham
Marriage26 Apr 1919, St Marks, The Church of the Innocents South Norwood, Surrey
ChildrenMargaret Stephanie (1921-)
Notes for Frederick William O’Leary
A PITIABLE SUICIDE
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Shrapnel Wounded Ex-Soldier Ends His Life
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WHILST OF UNSOUND MIND
A pitiable story of the suffering of an ex-serviceman who in 1915 sustained a severe shrapnel wound in the head, which later resulted in paralysis of the right side, was unfolded at an inquest conducted by the Borough Coroner (Dr. H. B. Jackson) at the Union Offices Croydon on Monday morning of Frederick Wm O’Leary (34), a switchboard attendant, who resided at Percy-road, South Norwood. He was found suffocated in the kitchen of his house last Thursday evening.“ A PIECE OF SHRAPNEL IN THE HEAD”.
The widow Mrs. E. L. O’Leary, stated that deceased had been in the Army, and whilst discharged on June 26th, 1916, suffering from the effects of a shrapnel wound in the head. He was paralyzed in the right side, and witness believed that he had a piece of shrapnel in his head which could not be extracted. He always complained of pains in the head.
Recently he had had an attack if influenza and only recommenced work on Tuesday last. Witness last saw him alive on Thursday morning. He then saw her off at South Norwood station when she went to London.
THE WIFES HOMECOMING
Returning to her home that same evening, witness found the door locked, and receiving no answer, after knocking for some time, she went to he brother-in-law’s house and informed him. He brought a ladder, climbed in through one of the upstairs windows, and opened the front door. On entering witness proceeded to the kitchen and opening the door smelt gas. She rushed across and opened the window, and in doing so kicked the body of her husband, which was lying on the floor.
In reply to the Coroner, witness said that when deceased saw her off at Norwood Junction he seemed strange in his manner.
He had had fits of depression, but never threatened to take his life. One night last week, when suffering in his head, he asked witness to give him something to put him out of his misery.
LETTER LEFT BY THE DECEASED
The Coroner produced a letter addressed to the widow “and others” which was written by deceased. In it he said: “No doubt when you get this I will be gone. I cannot stand the pain in my head any longer. I have stood it as long as I can, but I feel as though I am going mad.”
Frederick Wm Mummery, Percy-road, South Norwood, brother-in-law, stated that Mrs O’Leary came to his house on Thursday evening and asked him to force the door of her house as she could not enter. Witness procured a ladder and entered though one of the bedroom windows. He smelt gas strongly, and as Mrs O’Leary was almost in hysterics, he took her away. When he returned the body had been removed to the backyard.
COVERED WITH A QUILT
William Edward Stanley, labourer of Stanley-road, said he was called into the house by Mrs O’Leary. He went onto the kitchen, the door of which was ajar. Mrs O’Leary followed witness and witness also kicked the body, which was lying on the floor. He led Mrs O’Leary out of the room and then opened the doors and windows. Witness on looking round, saw the body on the floor, which was covered with a quilt. Witness did not touch the quilt, but ran out to the door to call the police. As he reached the doorway he met PC Fitzgerald.
Dr. A.R. Mansell said when he examined the body it was quite cold. He was under the impression that deceased had been dead about two hours. The doctor attributed death to gas poisoning.
A GAS RING TUBE
P.S. Fitzgerald (30Z) said at 9:20pm on Thursday, he was called to the house and preceded to the kitchen saw the deceased lying down covered with a quilt. With assistance, witness carried the body to the yard and immediately sent for the doctor. Witness inspected the kitchen and found the tube of a gas ring has been attached to a bracket, and apparently deceased had placed this in his mouth. He also found a letter near by. Witness tried artificial respiration, but without effect.
A verdict of “Suicide while of an unsound mind” was returned, and the Coroner remarked that the people who first arrived on the scene should have tried to first get the man out into the air. He, however greatly appreciated the prompt action of the Police Sergeant.
The widow also thanked the police officer for his assistance.
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Shrapnel Wounded Ex-Soldier Ends His Life
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WHILST OF UNSOUND MIND
A pitiable story of the suffering of an ex-serviceman who in 1915 sustained a severe shrapnel wound in the head, which later resulted in paralysis of the right side, was unfolded at an inquest conducted by the Borough Coroner (Dr. H. B. Jackson) at the Union Offices Croydon on Monday morning of Frederick Wm O’Leary (34), a switchboard attendant, who resided at Percy-road, South Norwood. He was found suffocated in the kitchen of his house last Thursday evening.“ A PIECE OF SHRAPNEL IN THE HEAD”.
The widow Mrs. E. L. O’Leary, stated that deceased had been in the Army, and whilst discharged on June 26th, 1916, suffering from the effects of a shrapnel wound in the head. He was paralyzed in the right side, and witness believed that he had a piece of shrapnel in his head which could not be extracted. He always complained of pains in the head.
Recently he had had an attack if influenza and only recommenced work on Tuesday last. Witness last saw him alive on Thursday morning. He then saw her off at South Norwood station when she went to London.
THE WIFES HOMECOMING
Returning to her home that same evening, witness found the door locked, and receiving no answer, after knocking for some time, she went to he brother-in-law’s house and informed him. He brought a ladder, climbed in through one of the upstairs windows, and opened the front door. On entering witness proceeded to the kitchen and opening the door smelt gas. She rushed across and opened the window, and in doing so kicked the body of her husband, which was lying on the floor.
In reply to the Coroner, witness said that when deceased saw her off at Norwood Junction he seemed strange in his manner.
He had had fits of depression, but never threatened to take his life. One night last week, when suffering in his head, he asked witness to give him something to put him out of his misery.
LETTER LEFT BY THE DECEASED
The Coroner produced a letter addressed to the widow “and others” which was written by deceased. In it he said: “No doubt when you get this I will be gone. I cannot stand the pain in my head any longer. I have stood it as long as I can, but I feel as though I am going mad.”
Frederick Wm Mummery, Percy-road, South Norwood, brother-in-law, stated that Mrs O’Leary came to his house on Thursday evening and asked him to force the door of her house as she could not enter. Witness procured a ladder and entered though one of the bedroom windows. He smelt gas strongly, and as Mrs O’Leary was almost in hysterics, he took her away. When he returned the body had been removed to the backyard.
COVERED WITH A QUILT
William Edward Stanley, labourer of Stanley-road, said he was called into the house by Mrs O’Leary. He went onto the kitchen, the door of which was ajar. Mrs O’Leary followed witness and witness also kicked the body, which was lying on the floor. He led Mrs O’Leary out of the room and then opened the doors and windows. Witness on looking round, saw the body on the floor, which was covered with a quilt. Witness did not touch the quilt, but ran out to the door to call the police. As he reached the doorway he met PC Fitzgerald.
Dr. A.R. Mansell said when he examined the body it was quite cold. He was under the impression that deceased had been dead about two hours. The doctor attributed death to gas poisoning.
A GAS RING TUBE
P.S. Fitzgerald (30Z) said at 9:20pm on Thursday, he was called to the house and preceded to the kitchen saw the deceased lying down covered with a quilt. With assistance, witness carried the body to the yard and immediately sent for the doctor. Witness inspected the kitchen and found the tube of a gas ring has been attached to a bracket, and apparently deceased had placed this in his mouth. He also found a letter near by. Witness tried artificial respiration, but without effect.
A verdict of “Suicide while of an unsound mind” was returned, and the Coroner remarked that the people who first arrived on the scene should have tried to first get the man out into the air. He, however greatly appreciated the prompt action of the Police Sergeant.
The widow also thanked the police officer for his assistance.