File:2018-06-13 CWGC gravestone, M Nesbitt, Welsh Fusiliers, Parish church of All Saints, Mundesley.JPG

English: CWGC gravestone for M Nesbitt of the Welsh Fusiliers in the churchyard of All Saints parish church in the village of Mundesley, Norfolk, United Kingdom. Further information: Eastern Daily Press Tuesday April 10th 1917

TRAGEDY AT MUNDESLEY

A painful discovery was made at Mundesley early on Monday, when Private Maurice Nesbitt of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, on being called by some comrades, was found dead with his throat cut. A razor was lying near by. The deceased was about 18 years of age, and came from Macclesfield.

Eastern Daily Press Thursday April 12th 1917

THE MUNDESLEY TRAGEDY

An inquest was held by the County Coroner (Mr. H.R. Culley) at the Manor House Hotel, Mundesley, on Wednesday, on the body of Private Maurice Nesbitt, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was found dead with this throat cut early on Monday. Acting-Sergt Wright, North Walsham, represented the police.

Evidence of identification was given by deceased’s brother, Mr. Frank Nesbitt, of 68, Crossall Street, Macclesfield, a railway clerk, who said the deceased was 18 years of age. He did not enjoy the most robust health, and he also suffered from deafness in one ear, the result of an attack of scarlet fever. He joined the Army about nine weeks ago.

Private John Albert Watson said he slept in the same room as the deceased. So far as witness knew Private Nesbitt had had a good night’s rest, but in the morning he thought deceased seemed rather reticent and disinclined to talk. He was very much surprised when he heard later that deceased had been found with his throat cut.

Private William Overton deposed of asking the deceased the time when he went into the room, but not getting an answer he then saw the deceased was bleeding from a wound in the throat. Further assistance was sent for. Similar evidence was given by Private Johnson Macleod.

Sergeant Jones said when he went to the room the deceased had evidently fallen down behind the door, as he had to force it to enable him to enter. He saw at once that Private Nesbitt was quite dead. About a fortnight ago he heard deceased had been seen on the edge of a cliff when he should have been on parade. He reported the occurrence.

Dr. Wortley Quait said deceased was examined by him and classed C2. Since then he had been inoculated and vaccinated, but had not reported himself sick. On the 31st March Lieut. Buckland requested him to examine the deceased and report on his mental condition, as he had been found wandering on the cliffs. Witness did so, and the conclusion he arrived at was that deceased was of a somewhat taciturn and morose nature, as he could get nothing out of him. He asked what he was doing on the cliffs, and if there was any truth in the suggestion that he thought of throwing himself over. But this he denied. He talked to him and asked if he had any trouble, but witness could get no response to his inquiry.

The Coroner-You think the wound was self-inflicted? – Yes, it was a very determined cut.

Lieut. Alban E. Buckland said he questioned the deceased as to his having been found on the cliffs, and could not get an answer at first. Private Nesbitt afterwards remarked that he was thinking of throwing himself over.

The jury returned a verdict of “suicide during a fit of temporary insanity.” A vote of condolence with his relatives was carried.