Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 27th, 1932
Wombwell Suicide
Fit of Depression
A mystery was unravelled at an inquest held by Mr. C. Haworth at the United Methodist Church Schools, Wombwell on the body of Thomas Henry Plant (41), miner, 122, Blythe Street, Wombwell, recovered from the canal two days earlier.
Charles Frederick Robshaw, a stepson, said that during the past fortnight his father had only been to work on one occasion. He had been in the habit of drinking heavily and coming home in the early hours.
On Tuesday he came home at 3 a.m. and then went out again for two hours later in the morning. Prior to going to bed on Tuesday evening he said he was going to work on the following morning. Witness heard his father rise and leave the house but on getting up discovered that the pit clothes had been left at the top of the cellar steps.
Robshaw thought nothing about it because Plant was in the habit of leaving and returning at all hours. Later he read in the press the description a man pulled out of the canal in Wombwell. The description tallied, and he communicated with the police and identified the body.
Frederick Green, miner, 41, Wath Road, Wombwell, said he was going to work at 5 o’clock when he discovered the body of a man floating the canal near the bridge at Mitchell Main. After getting assistance the body was pulled out of the water. He later reported the matter to the police.
Ruth Robshaw a step-daughter said she as the last person to see her father on Tuesday evening.
Dr. W. C. Jardine said he performed a post-mortem. The man could only have been in the water a few hours prior to being discovered. Death was due to drowning. There were no external marks of violence.
A verdict of “Suicide during a fit of depression” was returned.