Mexborough and Swinton Times October 19, 1918

The Wombwell Sensation.
Verdict Of Murder.
Police To Act.
Coroner’s Severe Comments.

At the Wesleyan School, Wombwell, on Thursday the inquest on Bertha Neville (32), wife of Pte. Ernest Neville, York and Lancaster Regiment, 65, Summer Lane, Wombwell, was concluded by Mr. P. P. Maitland and a jury, tile inquest having been three times adjourned. Mrs. Neville died on. Sept. 13, in circumstances which gave rise to a suspicion that an illegal operation had taken place.

Lily Fowler, wife of Frank Fowler, miner, 61, Summer lane, Wombwell, said she had known Mrs. Neville many years, but did not know of her condition until after death had taken place. She admitted having said that “someone had let the cat out of the bag,” but said that she only repeated a statement made by a girl named Ivy Neville, niece of deceased, who said to her in the street, ‘They can’t bury Aunt Bertha to-day; someone has let the cat out of the bag.” She did not know what, the the mark referred to stop

Laura. Gamwell, wife of John Cramwell, miner, 2, Keel yard, Stairfoot, said Mrs. Neville sent for her on the day of her death, and complained of pains in the body and said she was, going to die. Witness was alone with. Mrs. Neville, who said, “What has been done I have done it myself.” She then told witness of her condition, and said, “I will take it with me; don’t say anything to anyone.” Deceased. made no further explanation. On the Monday after her death a young man came to the house and asked for her, and on being told that she was dead expressed surprise and sorrow. She could not swear that he was the man, whose photograph was now produced, but there was a resemblance.

Sarah Ann Ashcroft, wife of Pte. David John Ashcroft, York and Lancaster Regiment, 8 Princess road, Wombwell, said she had been very friendly with Mrs Neville during the last three months, and had visited her and gone out with her often, but Mrs Neville had never told of her condition, and witness did not learn of it until after death.

Witness proceeded to give an account of visit she had paid with Mrs Neville, immediately before her illness, to the pictures and to the Ship Inn. At the Ship Inn they met a young man named George Arthur Turner, and on one of these occasions witness left deceased with him after they had turned out of the public house. When Mrs Neville fell ill witness went to clean her house for her and to stay with her. She told her she had a tumour.

On the day before she died she mentioned Turner, and said she had only known him a month. He handed Turner scoring after witness and asked her to return it to him. On the morning of her death Mrs Neville said to witness and others: “if I had hold of the man who has done this, I will stick him.” Witness did not know what she meant.

George Arthur Turner, a discharged soldier, now a bye-product worker employed at Wharncliffe Woodmoor, said he was a married-man and lived with his wife at 60, Wombwell Street, Barnsley.

Before giving evidence he was cautioned by the Coroner, who said, “This case is one of grave suspicion, and you are not bound to answer any questions that may lead you into difficulties”

Turner proceeded to give an account his friendship with Mrs. Neville and Mrs. Ashcroft, whom he first met on Sept. 1. He stated that he had met them by appointment on a number of occasions and he also stated that he had passed one alight at Mrs Neville’s house. That was the last time he saw her. He heard in Barnsley- on the following Saturday that she was dead. Mrs. Neville did not say anything to him about her condition, but the last time he saw her she complained of being very unwell.

The Coroner said it was clear from the medical evidence that according to law this was a case of wilful murder. Several witnesses had been examined an it was possible to examine a number of others, but it was for the police to take the matter along the next stage, and they could not be held by the publicity of further inquest proceedings.. He therefore suggested that they should conclude the inquiry at this point, and leave the police to follow up the case. Probably sooner or later, the criminal or criminals would be brought to justice.

“`These cases.” proceeded the Coroner, “are very wicket, very bad and often difficult to follow up. As far as our evidence goes you could not come to any conclusion as to who is the culprit. You have to remember that Doctor Foley was quite clear that this poor woman could not have inflicted the wound herself. If it had been seriously suggested in evidence that she might have done it herself, we might have been tempted to conclude that that was so, and to return a verdict of ‘Felo de se.’ I think it would be best to leave it with a verdict attaching, criminality to some person or persons unknown. It is very unfortunate that four the poor woman died some statement was not made by her. She evidently wished to make a statement and that would have saved us there are a lot of time, and trouble, and very likely the case would have been cleared up.

Unfortunately the police were not informed until she was dead and arrangements were made for her funeral. If those in charge had only considered they would have seen that it was their duty at once to inform the police, seeing that she was seriously ill in circumstances so mysterious as to give rise to suspicion. We should have been saved hours of trouble, and also justice would have been obtained. I quite think, on the evidence, that she wished to make a statement that would have brought from guilt to someone.  If conveyed to the police in the presence .of a magistrate, it would have been evidence. As it is, the police have been considerably handicapped, but I am quite In hopes that the handicap will not prevent them from bringing the criminal to justice. I suggest to you that this woman died by the crime of murder through some person or persons having unlawfully attempted with an instrument to procure abortion.”

The jury assented and a verdict in that sense was returned.

The Coroner expressed sympathy with the husband (who has been on leave from France throughout the proceedings), and remarked:

“it is very sad that while this man was doing his duty to his King and country, his wife, though, poor thing, she was not all she ought to have been, should have been done to death in this way.”

The Foreman: We agree with you, sir, and sympathise with him.

The Coroner then summoned a number of women connected with the case before him, and said to them: “I want to say this to those of you who have been examined, that I am satisfied that practically the whole of your evidence is most reliable and false, and I have no doubt that the criminal or criminals will be found among you and will be brought to justice. If I the police hear of any threats be made by you in connection with this case – and I hear that there had been threats already – you will be prosecuted without further notice and sent to prison. You can go now.”