TONE Family History
TONE Family History
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 Henry Thomas Stone as a young man taken: Dudley, Worcs., near Birmingham |
 Harry and Lily (as they were known) |
He was always described as a Pork Butcher with his own business by LM Stone and HGT Stone, but a newspaper report, of the inquest after his death, stated that he had only been in business on his own account for about six months. This is confirmed by the fact that he only paid council rates on the property for six months (according to Rate books in Bath Archivist's office in the Guildhall, Bath). It was also stated that he was for many years in the service of Messrs. T. Whatley and Sons of 7-8 Cheap Street, who were described as a Pork & Bacon Factory in 1909 and later as Pork & Bacon Factors . He married Lilian May Jones by Banns on 31st May 1909 at Balsall Heath parish church in Birmingham. On the marriage certificate he is described as a bachelor and shopman living at 22 St. Marks Place, Lyncombe, Bath. Lily is described as spinster with no occupation, living at 244 Balsall Heath Road. Her father is described as a Cabinet Maker and Henry Hill Stone as an Agent. The photograph on the left is a mystery regarding the exact location and the date. Henry both before and after marriage was living in Bath, Lilian lived in Birmingham with her parents. The photograph was taken by a professional photographer in Leicester. I believe that the pose would imply that they were married. Lilian was six months pregnant on the day of her wedding, but possibly that would not show in the photograph if they were on honeymoon. If so, then whose house were they in front of ? If the photograph was taken later then why wasn't their baby son included ? Until further evidence is found, I will assume that they were on honeymoon. |
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Their Son, Henry Gilbert Thomas Stone was born 16th August 1909 at 24 St. Marks Place, Bath. Henry was a special constable during the Great War in the City of Bath 1914-1919. He served a short period with the RAF, his WW1 discharge paper (Certificate of Employment During The War - fom Z.518) shows that his Number was 297325 and rank 2 Private. His unit was "E" Reserve Section / Royal Air Force / Blandford and his trade given as Batman. |  24 St. Marks Place, Bath, as it is now (Aug 2005) |
 2 Magdelene Road as it is now (Aug 2005) |
His RAF qualifications are shown as "Satisfactory" and Special Remarks as "Good Steady Man". He served in that capacity from 23-9-1918 to 16-1-1919, only sixteen weeks or so. His trade before enlisting is shown as Provision Manager. A paper formerly in his possession with the above form, indicates that he was described as a Class "G" Reservist. In spite of such a short period of service he was awarded the British War Medal (silver with Geo V, and St. George on horseback) and the Victory Medal (bronze with the figure of Victory) both inscribed on the edge 297325 - PTE - 2 - H. STONE - R.A.F. He was not awarded the 1914-19 Star since he had not seen active service abroad. [The final qualifying date for the Victory Medal was 16-11-1918, right in the middle of his period of service.] They lived at 24 St. Marks Place, Bath until 1927 when they moved to Magdelen Road, about the time, or just before, he started his own business. The Bath & Wilts Chronicle and Herald states that he lived at 2 Magdelen Road at the time of death (about 500 yards west of St. Marks Place). |
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He died on 25th April 1928 in his shop at 33 Broad Street of asphyxiation from Coal Gas Poisoning, there being no evidence as to the cause. At the coroners inquest on 27th April, an open verdict was returned since there was no evidence to explain how he died accidently and no reason found for suicide. He was found by his son Henry G.T. Stone slumped over a gas ring. He apparently had a slight burn on his upper lip presumably caused by contact with the gas ring while it was still hot. It was also suggested at the inquest that this might simply have been caused by the gas which is an irritant. I believe that at the inquest, it was stated that he had no business problems or other worries and that he was in good health. His death certificate states that there was no Post Mortem, however there are conflicting witness statements reported from the inquest, regarding his medical condition and it would appear that there was a Post Mortem examination. He was buried at St. Michael's Cemetary, Bath. |
 33 Broad Street, Bath, as it is now (Aug 2005) |
His death ~
Although I have no knowledge of Henry Stone other than that stated here, I would not rule out suicide, although the family (LMS, HGTS) strongly denied this. The idea that he could have collapsed onto a gas ring seems a little convenient - or unfortunate !
Was he subject to depression? We have no medical evidence, but his grandfather Rev. Thomas Rowbottam (Vicar of Kegworth) committed suicide by hanging himself in 1871.
He had only been running his business for six months and although the family stated that there were no financial problems, was that true? Would they have known? They had also recently moved to another house, was the rent higher? There were comments made about his bank statement, so perhaps he was having financial problems and felt that he couldn't cope, he was letting them down? We don't know what pressures may have been on him.
Had he any medical problems, e.g. Cancer or heart, which he had not disclosed to the family? The inquest reports give conflicting information, some saying that he had a heart condition and headaches for several months, and a police doctor's report that his heart was normal. It does appear, however, that he was suffering considerably from stress and he may have thought that he had a heart condition.
Something must have triggered suicide if that is the truth of it. Otherwise why would a healthy man fall onto a gas ring which was unusually on the floor and switched on?
Apart from brief newspaper reports there is no record of the inquest and therefore we do not know the truth of his financial position, have a full doctor's report, or a more detailed description of how he was found.
Local newspaper reports were as follows:~
Mr Henry Thomas Stone, aged 52, of 2, Magdalen Road, Bath, a pork butcher carrying on business in Broad Street, Bath, was found dead in his shop on Wednesday night, having apparently fallen over a gas ring, the tap of which was turned on.
Deceased, who was for many years in the service of Messrs. T. Whatley and Sons, of Cheap Street, started business on his own account a few months ago, and is stated to have been very successful. He had recently suffered from an affection of the heart, and consulted a doctor for treatment.
When the shop was closed on Wednesday evening deceased told his boy he intended to stay behind to cook some food. As he had not returned home some time after 9 p.m., his usual hour, the City Police were communicated with.
At 10.30 p.m., P.S. Durston forced an entry into the shop and found deceased lying quite dead on the floor of the cooking room over the ring, from which gas was escaping. It is thought that possibly deceased when stooping to light the gas ring, had a heart attack and collapsed.
The City Coroner (Mr. F. Ernest Shum) is to hold an inquest tomorrow afternoon.
The report as above plus:-
At the inquest on Friday the jury found that the death was due to coal gas poisoning, but there was not sufficient evidence to show how it was brought about.
Bath City Coroner (Mr. F. Ernest Shum) sat with a jury at the Guildhall on Friday afternoon respecting the death on Wednesday of Henry Thomas Stone, aged 52, a pork butcher carrying on business in Broad Street, and residing at 2 Magdalen Road. Deceased was found dead in his shop after it had been closed for business on Wednesday.
Mr H. Sillett was chosen foreman of the jury.
Henry G. T. Stone, son of deceased, said he last saw his father alive about nine o'clock on Wednesday when he took him his breakfast. His father had complained of head pains for several months. On Good Friday he had an attack of some sort, and was found on the floor in a heap and quite unconscious. A doctor was summoned. Dr. Love, Deceased's regular medical attendant came next day, and said he should remain in bed for three weeks, and if he could get away for a fortnight afterwards, so much the better. His father was delirious on the Saturday. He came down on the Thursday but had to go back to bed. He got up for a short time on the Friday and the Saturday, and on the following Monday went to business. The doctor expressed the opinion that the attack had been brought on by worry and a general low state of health. His father went to bed after business on the Monday, and though not well, he subsequently seemed better than during the previous weekend. He was really going to business against the doctor's instructions. On Tuesday morning his father certainly seemed better. He had seen his bank pass book just before, and was considerably cheered up.
Witness got home about 9.30 on Wednesday night, and his mother asked him to go to Broad Street, as his father had not come home. He went down and found the place in darkness, and, thinking his father had returned by tram, he returned home. Subsequently witness went to Police Station. A key could not be obtained, and eventually entrance was obtained at the rear of the Broad Street shop. All the lights were out inside the shop. In the cookhouse at the back of the shop witness saw his father lying on the floor, but was advised by the police not to go in.
Answering the Coroner, witness said he did not see a gas ring. He had never heard his father threaten to take his life. He was sure that would be the last thing he would do.
Witness produced a letter received by his mother that morning, and the Coroner read it, omitting the address and the name of the writer, as follows:-
"I am writing to say how sorry I am for you in the loss of your husband. I was in his shop at about five minutes to seven o'clock last evening (Wednesday), and I expect that I was his last customer. I said to him, 'how ill you are looking, Mr. Stone.' He could hardly walk or speak, and I told him that he did not seem well enough to be in business. Had I known that he was so ill as he was, I would have sent for you."
Cheek on gas ring
P.S. Harry Durston, of the City Police, said on gaining access to the premises he found deceased lying on his right side with his cheek resting on a gas ring which was supplied from the main by a flexible tube. The gas was on fully. He immediately turned off the gas. The body was quite cold. He sent for Dr. Harper, who pronounced life extinct. Witness searched the body and premises, but failed to find anything that might throw a light on the tragedy.
The Foreman: You say his cheek was resting on the gas ring? - Yes.
He was lying close to some coppers? - At full length in front of the copper.
Did you notice a kettle on the floor? - I did not see any kettle.
Did you see any sign of the gas ring having been used for any purpose?
There was no food about, or anything of that sort? - No, sir.
No cup or saucer. - No, sir.
Nothing to show that the gas ring had been used for cooking? - No, sir.Asked for the dimensions of the kitchen, witness produced a diagram, and said the room was about 10 ft by 8 ft.
The Foreman: Did you observe any matches lying about as though deceased had gone to the stove for the express purpose of lighting it? - No, sir.
Employe's Evidence
(sic)Reginald Moore, employed by the deceased, and living at 11, Dover Terrace, said he last saw Mr. Stone at 4.15 on Wednesday. He knew Mr. Stone usually had a cup of tea on the premises. If the other boy did not make it, Mr. Stone would make it after the shop closed. Mr. Stone would never tell witness anything about his health, and when witness asked him how he was before he left he said he was all right. Witness, however, thought he had a heart attack in the afternoon. Tea was made on the gas ring, the ring usually being kept on top of a boiler. He did not know whether Mr. Stone used it to make tea.
By the Foreman: He had been with Mr. Stone for about six months, since he commenced business. The Foreman: Has anyone had any conversation with you since the tragedy relation to the fact of his suffering from his heart? - No, no one at all.It was entirely your own idea that you suggested to him that his heart was bad? - That's right.
By the Coroner: He had previously heard that Mr. Stone had had a seizure.
"A Normal Heart"
Dr. J.M. Harper, Police Sergeant, said he had known deceased for many years, but had not seen him for two or three years. He saw deceased at 12.30 a.m. on Thursday. In the kitchen there was a marked smell of gas, and he learnt from P.S. Durston that the smell had been worse before witness arrived. He examined the gas ring, on which there was a distinct mark as if there had been pressure by the deceased's lower lip. Describing what he found in the post mortem examination, witness said there were no marks of injury except a slight burn on the mucous membrane of the lower lip. It was about 1½ inches long and corresponded exactly to the mark on the gas ring. The heart was normal, and there was no valvular disease.
The Coroner: So far as you could see, there was nothing wrong with his heart, - Nothing wrong at all. It was quite a normal heart.
Witness added that there was no doubt that the deceased was asphyxiated, and the general condition of the body showed that this was brought about by coal gas poisoning.
The Coroner put several questions with respect to the mark of the burn on the lip and Dr. Harper said the burn could not have been caused by the gas being alight - in which case it would have been much worse - but it could have been caused through the ring being hot through being used before the gas was turned on again. It was impossible to tell what happened beforehand. A gas ring would take some time to get cold after being used.
The Coroner advanced the possible theory that deceased fell on the gas ring, and witness suggested that the lights would have been on in the kitchen if deceased had been taken suddenly ill. The Coroner said he might have fallen down after seven o'clock, and there would be no lights on then.
By the Foreman: He could not say whether the gas ring could have been warmed by the heat of the copper.
The Foreman: Would the action of the gas itself coming direct from the ring have a similar affect on the tender part of the lip to that of heating? - It is quite possible.
By the Coroner: Gas was an irritant, and it might account for the mark like a burn.
The Evidence Reviewed
Having expressed his sincere sympathy with the widow and family, the Coroner reviewed the evidence. He spoke of the circumstances as somewhat mysterious and peculiar, and said under those circumstances he thought the matter ought to be considered by a jury. Deceased's son had given his evidence clearly and well and, from what he said, the doctor evidently thought deceased was worn down by worry and was in a low state of health. He never gave his son the impression that was likely to take his own life, and yet he was found in a way which they could not help thinking possibly might be connected with an attempt to take his own life. On the floor was the gas ring, which was not usually there, and there was no evidence that it had been used for preparing tea or any ordinary purpose. One could not tell how the gas ring got on the floor - it might have been on the floor for some reason or other - and he might have felt faint. Possibly he did feel faint, and fell over.
If the jury considered that, acting on some momentary and quite sudden impulse, he made up his mind to do away with himself, it was their duty to bring in a verdict of suicide. On the other had, there was nothing to show - no message nor any note - that he was particularly worried or anxious at that particular time or during the last 24 hours. If they felt they were not in a position to bring in a verdict of suicide, it was open to them to say that death occured through asphyxiation by coal gas and that there was no evidence to show how it was caused.
Deceased's son remarked that from a financial point of view the business was very satisfactory. His father had had considerable unexpected expense, but had decidedly increased his bank balance.
The jury, after short private consultation, found that death was due to coal gas poisoning, but there was not sufficient evidence to show how it was brought about. They associated themselves with the Coroner's expression of sympathy with the family.
After Henry's death it would appear that his widow, Lilian, may have tried to continue running the shop, perhaps assisted by their son Henry who gave up his training at a local pharmacists, 'on account of his father's death'. It would appear that they moved out of the fairly recently acquired 2 Magdelene Road and may have moved into accommodation over the shop. According to the information given at the inquest there were two butcher's boys who no doubt helped. They may well have had enough practical skills to keep the business running. It is not known when the butcher's shop finally closed, but Charles William Maxim acquired the lease on 11th November 1929 and 33 Broad Street became a radio shop. In 1930 Lilian, Henry her son and her niece moved from Bath to East Ham in east London, near to her brother Harry Jones.
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