South Yorkshire Times, September 1st, 1951
Indian Doctor’s Confession
Had lived with Hospital Sister
Wife’s story at Mexboro’ Inquest
Six days before George Anthony Paulie, 32-year-old Indian anaesthetist, was found dead at Mexborough Montagu Hospital, he made a confession to his wife Marie Theresa Paulie also aged 32, of 34, Kendal Street, London, wife of Dr. Paulie, told of this confession at Wednesday’s Mexborough inquest on her husband.
For Four Months
“He asked me first” she said “if he made a confession would I forgive him.” I said ‘yes’, and then he said he had been unfaithful to me. I asked him why, and then he told me he had been living with a Sister at the hospital for the last four months. Paulie was found dead in a room in the residential quarters of the hospital on Sunday. The Coroner (Mr. W.H.M. Alexander) said that a post-mortem examination had been conducted and the results referred to the Forensic Science Laboratories at Wakefield. As the report from Wakefield was not yet available the inquest would be adjourned for three weeks.
Married in Madras
Mrs. Paulie, who was married in Madras, was brought by police car to the inquest. She was wearing a smart, white hat, tailored check coat, with flat-heeled navy shoes. Throughout she gave evidence in a subdued voice with only a slight accent.
“I first met my husband in Madras in 1940,” Mrs. Paulie said, I became engaged to him in May, 1941, and was married to him in April, 1942 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Madras. We have three children by the marriage.”
Army service
Mrs. Paulie said after the marriage, they continued to live in Madras, and in 1945 her husband obtained his degree at Madras. He had served in the Forces and gained a commission with the Pakistan Army Medical Corps. Mrs. Paulie said she came to England in July, 1950, and was followed in August by her husband, who was accompanying a patient – a British officer’s wife – to this country.
We lived together in London at 34, Kendal Street, my husband then obtained certain locum tenens appointments. Then I understand he applied for an appointment as an anaesthetist at Mexborough Montagu hospital. He obtained this appointment towards the end of September, 1950, and came to live in Mexborough. I did not accompany him, but remained in London with our three children
“Very Happy”
Mrs. Paulie added that after this she saw her husband at various intervals when he came to London for examinations and courses. “When he was taking these courses, he was living with me at Kendal Street, we were very happy.”
Coroner: Did he on any occasion bring with him anything? Tablets? – Yes.
Did you know he was in the habit of taking drugs? – I asked him if this was a habit, and he said he took them to keep awake so that he could study.
Did he correspond with you regularly while he was in Mexborough? – Yes, except for the last four months, he used to write about once a week but the last four weeks or so it has been once a fortnight or three weeks.
Had you any reason to suspect he might be taking drugs? – No, I only saw him a few days at a time. The coroner then referred to a telegram which Mrs. Paulie sent to her husband on August 21st, notifying him that she intended visiting Mexborough and asking him to meet her at Doncaster. Mrs. Paulie said the last time she saw her husband before August 21st was on May 9th before her husband went to Ireland to take a diploma, which he was successful in obtaining.
Very Annoyed
Mrs. Paulie then described the meeting at Doncaster. “I met him at the entrance to the Catholic Club,” she said. “He was very annoyed that I had come, I did not understand at first why he was annoyed. He was angry at first and walked around for some time. He was very distressed. He asked me to go back, saying he would follow in a few days, and I said I would not go until I knew what was worrying him. He told me after some time what was worrying him.
He asked me first, if he made a confession, would I forgive him. I said yes, and then he said he had been unfaithful to me. I asked him why, and then he told me he had been living with a sister at the hospital for the last four months.”
Coroner did you ask him what he intended to do – I asked him if he loved this girl and he said “no” I asked him if he wanted his freedom to marry this girl said “Oh God, no.”
Coroner: did you have any other conversation? – Yes. Where? – In the Matron’s sitting rooms at the hospital and again in his room.
Did you know then he was in the habit of taking drugs? – No, but he did confess he had been drinking very heavily.
Have there been any divorce concerning your husband – no.
Mrs. Paulie said that subsequently her husband asked her to see the Matron and the lady concerned, and say that he told a lot of lies and got into a terrible mess.
Coroner: was that any suggestion that he should re-join you? – he said he could not possibly get leave within the week.
Did he make any promises to you when you left him? – Yes, he said he would not drink and would write to me every day, and also that very next morning go and see Mr. Martin who was on some committee of the hospital I think and ask him to allow him to resign. There was every intention that he should return to me in London.
Mrs. Paulie then recalled a conversation which took place with her husband in the room between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. that night.
Coroner: While you were in his room was there anything which attracted your attention? – I saw the photograph of a nurse which he asked me not to look at and a Rosary and little travelling clock which I knew were not his. I just looked at him and he nodded his head. There was a half-empty packet of cigarettes and I moved to get one but he brushed me away and said they were hers. There was a little bottle at the end of the table and a brownish glass bottle with a label. I don’t know what it was but it began with “E”. I asked him what it was and he said “Oh, it’s only something I am taking for my migraine.”
Mrs. Paulie said she then left him and went down to see the Matron and thank her for receiving her. “When we parted that night,” she concluded, “he said little.”
Mrs. Paulie and a relative left immediately after she had finished her evidence.