The Tragic Death of Mr. A. T. Keen: A painful tragedy of overwork in connection with the war was investigated the Coroner for West Surrey at on Saturday, when an inquest was held on Arthur Thomas Keen, aged 57, of Harborne, Staffordshire, chairman of Guest, Keen, and Nettlefold, Ltd., of Birmingham and South Wales, and director of the London City and Midland Bank. Richard Allred Pinsent, solicitor, of Birmingham, said the deceased was a great personal friend of his and he had acted for him professionally for some years. Deceased had been very much overworked in connection with the war and recently had a nervous breakdown. On 13 May, acting on the advice of Dr. Huxlev, a specialist, entered Grantbourne Nursing Home, Chobham, for a complete rest. He was then suffering from nervous exhaustion and depression, but apart from overwork he had no worries of any kind and lived the happiest of lives. He left a widow and four children, one son being in the Royal Air Force in France. Daphne Green, a nurse at the home, said that when she went to call the deceased on Thursday morning, she found him dead in bed and covered with blood. Police-sergeant Sadler deposed, finding the deceased with his throat cut from ear to ear and a wound across the abdomen. A blood-stained razor was lying close to his right hand. Dr. Thome, of Woking, said that on the previous Tuesday the deceased asked to see him. He told the witness he had been very much overworked, but that felt a great deal better, and wanted to return to business. The witness advised him to wait until Dr. Grouch returned home. Deceased stated the war had worried him very much, and that he was also worried about his son in France. He added, however, that his son had just been made a major, and was not going to fly anymore, so this worry was mostly over. The coroner, summing up, said the case was a very sad one. The only verdict the jury could return was one of suicide during temporary insanity, and he was sure they would wish to join with him in expressing the deepest possible sympathy with the widow and family. The jury returned the verdict suggested and concurred in the expression of condolence.
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Referenced
GRO0738 Devonport: Richard Alfred Pinsent: 1852 – 1948