First World War Commonwealth War Grave - Private George Eaton, Royal Berkshire Regiment - Accidental Death, Struck by Train.

War Grave of Private George Eaton.
All Saint's Cemetery, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them".

 

George Eaton was born in 1859 in Knowl Hill, Berkshire to Thomas, an agricultural labourer and his wife Sarah Herbert.

George first appears on the 1861 Census aged 2, living with his parents and siblings in Hurley Berkshire. Ten years later in 1871 George and his family are still living in Hurley, at 8 Lady Place, Ashley Hill.  Joining the family is George's aunt Mary Ann Herbert, who is listed as servant domestic (invalid).  In 1881 George is working with his father and elder siblings as an agricultural labourer.

In 1884 George married Harriet Pickett.  Their first child, a daughter Alice was born in 1885, closely followed by Ann in 1887.  Their first son George William was born in 1889.

In 1891 the small family can be found living at 6 Long Acre, Maidenhead, Berkshire, where George is now a bricklaying labourer.  By 1901 George and his family had moved to Tyrells Buildings in Maidenhead, where George is listed as a ground works labourer.  Catherine aged 9, Thomas aged 6, Henry Benjamin aged 4 and John aged 1 have joined the family.  George and Harriet's youngest child Robert was born in 1904.

It seems however that George was plagued with depression, which at one point caused him to attempt to take his own life, for which he served a week's imprisonment at Reading Gaol.  The Slough Windsor and Eton Observer reports on 15th September 1906 -

"The Case Of Attempted Suicide

At the Maidenhead Borough Police-court on Friday George Eaton, a resident, was charged on remand with having cut and wounded himself with a razor, intending to kill and murder himself.

The Magistrates' Clerk explained to the Bench that the Governor of Reading Gaol had written to the effect that he was of the opinion the suicidal attempt was a feint, and that there were no signs of insanity in regard to the prisoner.

Police-constable Hay said that he was stationed at Maidenhead.  On the 30th August he had received information that the prisoner had cut his throat.  In company with Police-constable Barr he went to Denmark-street and found that the prisoner had gone out.  He went in search of the prisoner and found him in a field on the other side of the Furze Platt, on the way to Cookham.  He asked him what he was doing and he said, "Nothing."  He noticed a razor sticking out of his pocket; it was in the condition in which it now was (with blood upon it).  Prisoner's throat was covered in blood.  He examined the prisoner's throat, but found no serious cut.  He eventually got him into the road, when he "turned up rough" and said he wanted to go on to the Thicket to finish the job.  They were obliged to handcuff the prisoner; they had no trouble with him after that.  Eaton said several times on the way to the station that he would "finish it off" some time, but he was in a dazed condition, and did not seem to know what he was doing.

Mr Cox:  Was he sober?- Yes, sir.
Had he been drinking
No, I think not, sir.  He was in a dazed state.

The Magistrates' Clerk (to the prisoner) What did you do this for?
Prisoner:  I do not know anything about it; I have been ill.
When you came to your senses did you know what you had done?- No.

Mrs. Eaton, mother of the prisoner, told the magistrates that on Monday when her son came home she said that he was ill, and he looked it.  He was very much depressed.  She advised him to see Dr. Montgomery.

The Magistrates' Clerk:  Do you think he will do this kind of thing again?
Mrs. Eaton:  No, sir.  He thought he was going to lose his father and it upset him.  He looked so funny when he came to me on the Monday that I thought he was "going off" like some other members of the family.  He has never threatened his wife; it was only what people had said about him.

Prisoner's wife, a most respectably-dressed woman, was in court with a baby in her arms, but was not called.

The Mayor (to Mrs. Eaton sen.):  After what you say, if you will keep an eye on your son the magistrates are disposed to dismiss the case.
Mrs. Eaton:  Thank you, sir.

Prisoner afterwards left with his wife and mother."



In 1911 the family had moved to 78 Reform Road where George is listed as a domestic gardener. 

Sometime after the outbreak of World War One, George enlisted with The Royal Berkshire Regiment.  I have been unable to locate any War Records for George.

Before his death George was treated at Netley Military Hospital in Hampshire.  Netley Hospital boasted the first purpose built military asylum where men suffering from severe psychosis and Shell Shock were treated.

On the 26th July 1915 George was accidentally killed after being struck by a train at Winchester Station in Hampshire.  On Saturday 31st July the Hampshire Advertiser reported:

"An inquest was held on Wednesday at Winchester Hospital on the body of George Eaton, aged 54, of 61, Reform-road, Maidenhead, a private. Deceased had gone on leave on Saturday to Monday, on which day he was returning from Maidenhead to Southampton. He was seen off at Reading Station by his son and then appeared to be in good health and spirits. He alighted from the train at Winchester, and met his death when attempting to board the train when in motion. He took hold of the door of one of the compartments, but his left foot slipped off the footboard, and he fell beneath the platform and train. Three coaches passed over him, but the train was pulled up. The unfortunate man was picked up and taken to the hospital, but died on the way. His injuries consisted of a compound fracture to the thigh and left arm, a crushed left hand, four fractured ribs, a broken shoulder, and minor injuries. The deceased had a good character in his regiment.

The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death," and gave their fees to the widow.  The deceased was identified by his son, Private H. B. Eaton, who returned home wounded from the front. He has a brother in the trenches. The Jury and Coroner expressed sympathy with the relatives, as did also an officer from the deceased's regiment." 

On the 4th August 1915 the Maidenhead Advertiser reported about the accident in greater detail:

"Death Of A Maidenhead Solider At Winchester Station.

When Boarding A Moving Train.

On Wednesday an inquest was held at The Royal Hants County Hospital, Winchester, concerning the death of a Maidenhead solider - Pte George, of 61, Reform-road, serving in the 4th. Battalion Royal Berks Regiment who died on the pervious Monday from injuries received through being crushed by a train. 

2nd Lieut. J. L, Martin, of the 4th Royal Berks Regiment (who in private life is a solicitor and Coroner for Reading) appeared on behalf of the Regiment. 

Pte. Henry Benjamin Eaton, of the 1sr Battalion Royal Berks Regiment (home from the Front wounded) identified the deceased as his father, aged 54, a private in the 4th Batt. Royal Berks Regt. He was a Reservist before he rejoined and was a gardener by occupation. Deceased was stationed at a Rest Camp, Southampton. He last saw his father alive on Monday evening at Reading Station, when he was returning to Southampton after being on leave from Saturday. He was then in good health and spirits. Witness and his sister went with the deceased to Reading and he had a friend with him.

Pte Thomas Winter, of The Kings Royal Rifles, Winchester, stated that he was on police duty at the station, and saw the 5.55 from London arrive. He also saw it start, and as it was moving deceased ran along the platform from the lavatory. He took hold of the handle of the compartment with his hand, and placed his left foot on the footboard. His foot slipped and the man released his hold, falling between the train and the platform. about three coached passed over him. The train was stopped and witness helped to get the deceased from the line to the platform. He was in a crouching position near the wall and exclaimed - "Oh! My poor arm." His left hand lying across the metals, was very badly injured. He did not see the deceased leave the train and only saw him trying to join it.

The Coroner: " There was no suggestion that there was anything improper?"
Lieut Martin: "No."

The son said that his father had with him one of the men with whom he slept in camp who was going back with him. His father was quite sober.

The Coroner: "There was no suggestion that he was otherwise."
Lieut Martin: "He bore a very good character in the Army."

A. Foster, a porter, stated he did not see the accident, but he gave the signal for the train to start and stop.

PC Gattrill said that he obtained a stretcher and took the deceased to hospital, but he was found dead on arrival. Deceased had a "pass" from Saturday to Monday in his possession. 

Dr. Montague Wallace, house surgeon at the Hospital, said that the deceased was dead when brought in. The post-mortem examination showed that the deceased had a fractured left thigh, fractured left arm and forearm, left hand crushed, four ribs on the left side fractured, left shoulder broken, and left lung injured. all internal organs and the brain were healthy. Death was due to shock from the injuries received."

Such a tragic end to poor George's life.