Lives of the First World War

'Soldier and His Wife Asphyxiated Remarkable Evidence at the Inquest Did Not Want To Be Parted Mr. S. F. Butcher (district coroner) and a jury, presided over by Mr. Stevens, met at the Westleigh Conservative Club on Wednesday afternoon, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Shadrach Critchley (35) and his wife, Annie (45), who lived at 17, School-st., Westleigh - Thomas Critchley, 20, School-st, dataller, said the man was his son, whom he last saw alive about 11 o'clock on Sunday morning. He was then at the door of his house, along with his wife. They then both seemed as usual. Witness did not speak to them. He next saw his son's dead body along with his wife's, in their house about 10 o'clock on Monday night. Witness was sent for out of bed. Deceased was formerly a dataller and enlised on April 12th last in the 3rd Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment, stationed at Birkenhead. He came home on Saturday nigth on three days' leave of absence, and should have reported himself on Monday. Witness thought he had done when he went to his work. He never heard him or his wife threaten to take their lives. Witness also gave evidence of identification concerning the woman, and said they had no children.

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