Father and Son Die in Gas-Filled Room

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 879, 24 January 1930, Page 1

Father and Son Die in Gas-Filled Room

DEVONPORT TRAGEDY CRYPTIC MESSAGES LEFT Tragedy marked a mission by the police late last evening, when George David Danaford, captain’s steward on H.M.S. Philomel, was found dead with his head in a gas stove at his home at 48 Kiwi Road, Devonport, while only a few feet from him lay the dead body of his three-year-old son, Denis Harold, who had apparently also been overcome by the deadly fumes of the gas. ~|~)ANAFORD, who was 29 years ol age, had resided in Kiwi Road for three years. His wife, who was instituting , proceedings for divorce, lived with some friends, Mr. and Mrs. H. Bolton, in the next street. Denis, the only child of the unhappy marriage lived with his mother, but it was customary for Danaford to call at the house to take his small son for a walk and to return him to his mother before evening. Yesterday about midday Danaford called for the boy. The mother apparently had no objections to her son going as it was quite a usual procedure. But at 11 o’clock last evening the son had not been returned and the mother became anxious. Mr. Bolton arrived home, and at the request of the mother he went round to Danaford’s residence in Kiwi Road. He knocked at the door for some time, but could get no reply, and seeing nobody about he went away. There was another wait of half an hour, and still the son did not arrive home, so Mr. Bolton agg,jn yrent to Danaford’s house, but again, .there was no reply to his knocking -at the doors. Mrs. Dapatord then telephoned her solicitor, and,. acting on his advice, the police were called at about 11.45. Mrs. Dknaford had a key to the house in Kiwi Road, which the police took, but they ■ found that they could not open any of the doors with it. Eventually they burst open the front door, which- was barricaded with a box. Stifling fumes of coal gas met them, but they managed to grope their way along the passage. Two or three of tho room doors had been locked. The kitdhefi door was forced, and there, lying with his head in the gas stove, was Danaford. He appeared to have been dead for several hours. About three feet away, lying face downward, with his arms and legs stretched out, was his small,son, Denis. He did not appear to have been dead as long as the father. All around on the floor were toys; as though the child had been playing. MYSTERIOUS NOTE A note! was . found from Danaford stating that he intended to commit suicide, and that he wished half the interest in, tfie house to be left to his son. According to this, it did not appear that he intended Denis to die. Found among the scattered toys were two ordinary playing cards. One was a three of hearts, upon which was written “Your death sign, Mrs. Danaford,” while the other card was a joker, on which a cryptic message was written. Denis Howard Danaford was a curly-headed, three-year-old youngster, and was most popular with all neighbours in the locality. His death has created much concern in Devonport. Danaford, who was of good physique, and a clever boxer, was well regarded among officers and men of the warships. He was born at Malta, where his father, who was a soldier, was stationed. He joined the navy in 1919, and came to New Zealand on H.M.S. Chatham. He was listed as an officers’ steward, first-class, and during his career in the navy had been valet to Commodores Hotham, Beale, and Swabey. On being transferred to H.M.S. Philomel, he became captain’s steward.