DOCTOR'S DEATH.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18898, 13 January 1927, Page 3

DOCTOR'S DEATH.

. 4 ■ HEALTrf UNDERMINED BY WAR. VERDICT OF UNSOUND MIND. (FROM OUR OWN CORMSI'ONDENT.) LONDON, November 27. Dr. Paul Bansome Browning, a wellknown medical practitioner in Southampton—formerly, it is stated, resident in New Zealand—was found dead in a street in Southampton about 10.45 p.m. on November 19th. A police constable in the vicinity had liis attention attracted by the report of a firearm. Upon making investigations, he found Dr. Browning lying on the ground with a bullet wound in the mouth, and a ten-chamber Army Colt automatic revolver lying beside him. Deceased wns ; *fully dressed, but wearing slippers. Medical aid sought immediately, but could only pronounco life extinct. The weapon, Which was a repeater, contained seven cartridges, only one of which had been discharged. The deceased gentleman attended to his medical duties during- the day. At the inquest Mr Walter Hitchcock said the deceased, who was a bachelor, had rented a bedroom and sitting-room from him since June, 1020. He had very indifferent health, and seemed to worry without cause. He had never been the same since he had had an operation a few years ago. Witness saw the deceased just after two o'clock on Friday afternoon,, and that was the last time he saw him alive. Witness went to bed just after 10.30. He heard the front door close and he thought the doctor had gone to post some letters.

Police Constable S. Pcarce stated' that when he was on duty he heard the report of a revolver being fired, and found the deceased lying on his back on the ground. About six inches from his right hand was a revolver. Deceased was bleeding from the mouth and the back 'of the head, and was breathing with great difficulty. He summoned Dr. MeCallin, of 3, Avenue Place, and also sent for the ambulance. Deceased ! was fully dressed, but was wearing a I pair of indoor slippers. The body was removed to the mortuary. After the I body had been removed, witness went ' to 1, Ordnance Road and found four let- ! ters (produced) lying on the seat of an | arm-chair in the sitting room occupied ' by the deceased. One was addressed i to Dr. Ilurnirin, the second to a Miss j Browning, the third to another Miss , Browning, and I lie fourth to Mrs Clegi horn. lie also found a portion of a leti tcr smouldering in the fireplace. This 1 was also produced. ' None of the letters was read in Court, i lnj Coroner remarking that he had read th'tin, but did not think it was necessary ; to read them in public. Dr. A. B. Harman gave evidence of : identification, anil said the deceased was "s years of nge. They had been friends >inre lSf'S. At times the deceased had ■ its of depression. Ho served through ;!:e war, and then retired on a pension ri: account of kidney trouble. His health since the war had not been good. About three years ago he had an illness and underwent an operation for appendicitis. He had never recovered his. ! health since. Five weeks ago witness told him he had better have a rest, ; but he would not take one. Witness , identified the letters produced as being j in the handwriting of the deceased. He was of the opinion that deceased was j conscious his health would not allor^him

to continue the strain'of work, and this depressed Mm more than ever. . j Dr. W. E. T. Ives, senior police surgeon, stated that death was due to syncope from shock, caused by tho passage of tho bullet through the brain. The Coroner returned a verdict that; deceased shot himself whilst of unsound' mind. Served as a Private. Upon the outbreak of the war, Dr. Browning was unsuccessful in obtaining a medical commission in the Army, but joined The Sportsman's Battalion as a private. He was later given a commission, in the Boyal Army Medical' Corps, and saw considerable service, on the Western Front, being subsequently promoted to tho rank of captain. Ho was invalided to England, during the. war, and was a patient at the Boyal Victoria Hospital, Netley, for some time. After. a period of convalescence at Osborne, howover, he returned to Prance, and remained with tho E.A.M.C. until the Armistice. He was a member of the Stoneham Golf Club, and also of the Hampshire County Cricket Club.