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From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 12 February, 1875. Price 1d.
DEATH FROM EXCESSIVE DRINKING
On Monday afternoon an inquest was held at the Recreation Room at Dover
Castle, on the body of a soldier named James Sandes, who was put into
the guard-room on Saturday night in a state of drunkenness, and the next
morning he was found dead. The Coroner took the following evidence:-
John Bodell deposed: I am a Corporal in the 3rd Brigade Royal Artillery,
stationed at Dover. Deceased was a gunner in the same brigade. His age
was 24. I last saw him alive on Saturday night. I was in charge of the
main Castle guard. Deceased, who had come up from the town, was walking
through the entrance when he fell through the wicket gate on to the
ground. He was picked up and brought into the guard-room. His waist belt
was taken off and his tunic unbuttoned, and he was then locked up with
the other prisoners. Between six and seven on Sunday morning I sent a
bombardier to arouse the prisoner. He came back and reported that
deceased was dead. I went immediately, and found that this was the case.
Deceased was suiting in the corner of the bedstead with his hands on his
knees, his head down, and his face black. He was very drunk when he was
led into the guard-room. I visited the prisoner at midnight on Saturday,
and found deceased asleep. I did not direct anyone to visit them after
that. Prisoners in separate cells are visited every two hours. I was not
aware that such visits should be made when several prisoners are
confined together. The guard can see into the room where deceased was
confined, and if anything had appeared wrong he could have seen to it.
Thomas Douse deposed: I am a gunner in the 3rd Brigade Royal Artillery.
On Saturday night deceased was brought to the main Castle guard at about
nine. I was a prisoner there myself. He was very drunk, but I heard him
ask the Corporal not to confine him. He vomited very much, and appeared
very restless. He was vomiting till I fell asleep. In the morning when I
woke up I saw he was dead. I saw no one touch or strike him during the
night.
Edward Arthur Jessop deposed: I am bombardier in the 3rd brigade Royal
Artillery. On Saturday night deceased was a prisoner in the Castle
guard-room for drunkenness. I was ordered to arouse the prisoner. I went
into the room and saw at once that deceased was dead. A doctor was sent
for and came at once.
Dr. J. A. Hanbury deposed: I am surgeon-major to the Royal Artillery. On
Sunday morning I was called to see deceased. I found him quite dead. The
body was cold and stiff, but there were no marks of violence. The skin
of the face and chest was black. I am of opinion that his death arose
from congestion of the brain, arising from inordinate drinking.
Verdict, “Death from excessive drinking.”
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