Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 28 November 1927

Woman’s Story of Friend’s Suicide Suggestion.

Boy Witnesses Tragedy.

A remarkable story of a Mexborough woman who imagined herself to be suffering from cancer and who committed suicide after an earlier attempt to induce a next-door woman neighbour to drown with her was told at an inquest held by Mr. Frank Allen at Mexborough on Saturday.

The body of the deceased, Gertrude Hammond (37), wife of Arthur Lewis Hammond, explosives worker, of 31, Addison Road, Mexborough, was recovered from the water known as Swallow’s Bottom in the pastures between Harlington and Mexborough on Friday afternoon.

The husband said that his wife had suffered from nervous trouble for four months, and had been under the impression that she suffered from cancer.

Alice Dodson, neighbour, of 35, Addison Road, said she went into the deceased’s home about ten o’clock on Friday morning. Mrs. Hammond had just been writing a letter which she covered over with a book. Witness and deceased walked as far as the Old Mill, and during the walk they talked about the flooding of the path. Mrs. Hammond wanted witness to go in the water with her, but witness refused. Deceased remarked about the height of the water, and said to witness ‘‘Drown here with me.” Witness told her not to be silly, and Mrs. Hammond tried to push her into the water. After a short struggle witness broke away, and finally persuaded Mrs. Hammond to return home. Later Mrs. Hammond returned to witness’s house and asked her if she could take her little boy to the tov shop. Witness demurred, but eventually allowed her son to wth her. Witness did not see Mrs. Hammond again, and learned of what subsequently happened from the boy when ran home again.

Archie Dodson (about seven) said, in answer to Questions the Coroner, that Mrs. Hammond took him to the Old Mill. When they were near a pool of water she asked him if could swim. He said “No,” and she then told him to run home to his mother and tell her what he had seen. The boy, describing the drowning, said, “She walked backwards into the water, fell, and was covered by the water.” He then ran home.

Harry Wadsworth, boiler engineman, of 27, Addison Road, gave evidence of going with his wife and Mrs. Dodson search of Mrs. Hammond, and of finding the body in the pool. Witness waded in, brought the body to the side, and tried artificial respiration without result. He then notified the police.

Dr. H. A. D. Moore said he had attended Mrs. Hammond, who had had a shock resulting in a breakdown. She developed the idea that something was growing inside her.” and that if was not removed she would die. She would not take the advice of other medical men, and her mental condition gradually became worse.

Mr. Hammond handed in a letter which deceased had written. It was not read.

A verdict of Suicide while of unsound mind ” was returned.