OFFICER’S SAD DEATH

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8355, 15 February 1913, Page 10

OFFICER’S SAD DEATH

tragedy op worry after a LOVE AFFAIR. A NIGHT OF DESPAIR. A sad story of an officer’s death was told at the inquest at Crowborough. Sussex, on Captain Gordon Campbell Blair, aged twenty-mne, late Of the Royaf Welsh Fusiliers. Captain Blair, bod served in Somaliland and in Burmah, and when home on leave waa worried by a love affair. , . Jlr Harrison Macdonald Blair, of Manchester, eaid that in October his brother was seized with a sudden illness while staying at the Junior Naval and Military Club, London. Ho cried throughout the whole of one night, and in the morning ho ran out of the club in hie pyjamas into Piccadilly. Later his health became so bad that ho was advised by Dr Russell Risien to go to Crowborough. In September he had a love affair which had worried him yery much. Evidence was also given by an attendant named Courtney, who said that one morning Captain Blair tried to keep him out of his room, and when ho did admit him made motions with his fists and talked about boxing. At Captain Blair’s own request bis hands were tied loosely to the bedpost. He had several fits of violent excitement ou Christrtos night, and died on Boxing Day morning. Sir A. Conan Doyle, who was foreman of the jury, asked whether any greater degree of restraint than was considered necessary was used. No. Dr Griffiths, in whose house Captain Blair was staying, said that the captain stated on one occasion that he would like to murder his male nurse and the witness, and that he was afraid that on the impulse of the moment he might do it. Death was due to exhaustion Following Cerebral excitement. Tbo jury fauna a verdict of " Death from natural causes.”