Walter Woollcombe

Went to Malborough Public School.

The Birmingham Weekly Mercury for the week ending 17 February 1900 had an article about the suicide of a Birmingham teacher. Below is a summary of the article:

Mr. Edwin Docker held an enquiry on Tuesday (13/2) into the death of Mr. Walter George Woollcombe who committed suicide on Sunday last (11/2) by shooting himself. He was Science Master at King Edward's High School. He had complained of severe head pains.

Mrs. Woollcombe was at church. A servant noticed that Mr. W had left the bedroom and that the study door was locked. Another servant was sent to collect Mrs. W from the church. Fearing that something awful may have happened she returned with Dr. Bradford. He burst open the study door and found Mr. W dead on the floor. He had shot himself through the right temple with a six chambered revolver and must have died instantaneously. Dr. Bradford stated that Mr. W had suffered from Neuralgic pains and general depression. He had also be suffering from delusions about something he had done in November. These delusions were groundless. His neighbour who was also his landlord stated that he was of a very retiring nature and was not really cut out to be a teacher. A representative from the school told the inquest that he was beloved and highly respected by all at the school.

The jury returned a verdict of suicide while of unsound mind.