The curious death of Alfred Simms.

Alfred Simms (Born 1864) was my great-grandfather and was born in Brailes. Brailes was, and still is, a small village in Warwickshire where much of my family came from. The Simms' have a "colourful" history in Brailes and the surrounding area (more to come) and Alfred was easily just as colourful as any other frequently getting into trouble with his siblings and making at least one court appearance that i have discovered.

After the death of his first wife in 1900, Temperance Warmington, he moved all the way down south into surrey and married my great-grandmother Isabella Jane Southon in 1905. Trouble followed him into his new marriage but it is his death that is most interesting. I came across an article in the news, written on the 17th of February 1940, which described his accidental death in great detail following his hospitalisation.

Following his injury, and his refusal to stay in hospital, he eventually contracted pneumonia and died. Had he listened to the medical professionals he would have likely survived his injury. He was 76 when he died and was noted, as you can read above, as being "senile and childish". Could they have stopped him from escaping? Could they have convinced him to stay for treatment? Sadly the answer was, no, and this what the coroner very correctly concluded.

Sadly following his tragic accidental death the family seemed to have several difficulties and traumas. An incident of theft was reported on the 12th of July 1941 by the son of Alfred Simms - one, Albert Edward Simms.

Maude Simms is my grandmother so this was quite startling news to read. Albert Edward Simms was to die just four years later in 1945.

The Simms' of surrey did not have the greatest of fortunes. I will post another article shortly. If you are related to them - please do contact me or leave a comment here.

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