See also

Family of Albert Ernest READHEAD and Florence MADGE

Husband: Albert Ernest READHEAD (1887-1929)
Wife: Florence MADGE (1891-1977)
Children: Ivor William READHEAD (1915-1999)
Edith READHEAD (1917-2001)
Jack READHEAD (1920-2013)
Wilfred Ernest READHEAD (1922-2008)
Beatrice May READHEAD (1923-2001)
Frederick Albert READHEAD (1925-1994)
Ralph READHEAD (1927-2015)
Sidney READHEAD (1929-1993)
Marriage 29 Mar 1914 Crediton , Devon, England1
Parish Church of the Holy Cross

Husband: Albert Ernest READHEAD

Name: Albert Ernest READHEAD
Sex: Male
Father: Albert READHEAD (1862- )
Mother: Alice Mary JAMES (1863- )
Birth 1887 Wimborne, Dorset, England
Baptism 1 May 1887 (age 0) Colehill, Dorset, England
Residence 29 Mar 1914 (age 26-27) Tolleys, Crediton , Devon, 1
Occupation 29 Mar 1914 (age 26-27) Sawyer; Crediton , Devon, England1
Enlisted (Military) 31 Dec 1914 (age 27 yrs 9 mns) Exeter, Devon, England
Discharged (Military) 17 May 1915 (age 27-28)
Discharged "Not likely to become an efficient soldier" under para 392 (iii)(cc) Kings Regulations. He was diagnosed with valvular disease of the heart.
Census 19 Jun 1921 (age 34 yrs 3 mns) Honiton, Devon, England2
Queen Street
Occupation 19 Jun 1921 (age 33-34) Sawyer; Honiton, Devon, England2
Employment: George Blay, Timber Merchant
Place of Work: Honiton
Military Regiment Devonshire Regt
Military Service No. 15124
Residence - Enlistment -; Crediton , Devon, England
2 Tolleys
Occupation - Enlistment sawyer
Next of Kin (Military) Florence Readhead; Crediton , Devon, England
2 Tolleys
wife
Military Rank Private
Death 11 Aug 1929 (age 41-42) Exeter, Devon, England
Cause: Suicide whilst of unsound mind
Address: Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter
THE WESTERN MORNING NEWS AND MERCURY
Thursday August 15 1929.
STORY OF EXETER MAN’S DEATH
INQUEST ADJOURNED FOR ANALYSIS
The inquest which was opened yesterday at Exeter on Albert Ernest Readhead, a sawyer, of Queen Street, Exeter, [inaccuarate reporting. He was actually of Queen Street, Honiton.] who died in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Sunday, was adjourned by the deputy-coroner, Mr. Hamilton Brown, until September 3, in order that the man’s organs could be analysed.
The widow stated that her husband was discharged from the Army for valvular disease of the heart, and last Christmas he gave up his work as a sawyer through ill-health. He was under the doctor who prescribed some tablets for epileptic fits. He had enough of these in the house at a time to last three months. He ceased to take them just before Christmas, and she thought there was half a box left. After Christmas he went to another doctor, who tried him with medicine first. He had tablets from him off and on the last lot being on Wednesday last.
SUFFERED FROM DELUSIONS
On Saturday her husband became depressed after breakfast and started crying. She fetched hot water and milk for him. Later returning to the kitchen she found he had a delusion. He had had delusions for about three months. Following that he dozed off.
He did not wake, and as he was foaming at the mouth she sent for a doctor, who said he thought he had taken a drug. Witness showed the doctor the box of tablets, and he said her husband had probably taken two of them, and would sleep for two or three hours, but if he did not come round in that time, she had better call him again. As he had not moved she sent for the doctor again, and her husband was ordered to hospital.
She had searched for the first box of tablets, but could not find it. She found one tablet on the floor, which she was positive was one of the first prescription. During the last three months he had said if he could make a good job of it he would cut his throat, or if he could get something to make him sleep off he would do so. He worried because he had so little money coming in.
Dr. P.H. Fox, house physician at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, said the man was admitted on Saturday evening, unconscious, and in a serious condition. Witness was present at a post-mortem examination, which confirmed his diagnosis that the man died of some kind of narcotic poison.
The Deputy-Coroner (Mr. Hamilton Brown), in adjourning the enquiry for three weeks, said in the meantime he would have enquiries made at Honiton, as the chemist could probably tell them the doctor’s prescription, and say when the tablets were supplied.


THE WESTERN TIMES
Friday September 6 1929
HONITON SUICIDE
Overdose of Phenylethyl
Barbituric Acid

WANTED A “LONG SLEEP”
“This is a case in which I am finding that the deceased died from poisoning, self-administered, whilst of unsound mind, and therefore it becomes a case of suicide whilst of unsound mind,” said the Deputy Coroner (Mr. H. Linford Brown) when at the Court House, Exeter, on Tuesday, he closed the inquiry into the death of Albert Ernest Readhead, 44, Queen Street, Honiton, a sawyer.

The inquest had been adjourned for three weeks in order that certain organs of the body might be analysed. At the first hearing evidence was given by Mrs. Readhead, the widow, that deceased had worked as a sawyer until Christmas, when he gave up on account of ill-health; that previously he had been under treatment by Dr. Steele-Perkins, of Honiton, who had prescribed some tablets for epileptic fits; that there weresome of these tablets in a box on the top of a kitchen cupboard, and that at the time of the tragedy, there would have been about half a box of the tablets left.

After Christmas, Mrs. Readhead stated, her husband was treated by Dr. Hope Gill, who had prescribed medicine first, and then tablets, one tablet to be taken each day. Two or three of these tablets were missing. Lately the deceased had been very depressed and subject to delusions. Mrs. Readhead then described in detail her husband’s conduct and illness on Saturday, August 10th, before his removal to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital suffering from narcotic poisoning, death taking place at the hospital on the Sunday evening. She added that she had since searched for the first box of tablets, which had been kept on the kitchen cupboard, but had been unable to find it, although she found one of the tablets on the floor.

The proceedings of the adjourned inquest yesterday lasted only twenty minutes.

Dr. Thomas S. McManus, locum tenens for Dr. Hope Gill, Honiton, at the time of the occurrence, said he was called to the deceased’s house at about 2 p.m. on August 10th and saw him seated in a chair and unconscious. His condition suggested that he was drugged. Witness came to the conclusion, from the condition that he found him in, that he had taken two or three tablets. He treated deceased for this and asked that a watch be kept on his condition so that he (witness) could be informed. He went to the house again between 5 and 6 o’clock and found him practically in the same condition and ordered his removal to hospital.

The Coroner handed to the witness a prescription which he said was given by Dr. Hope Gill, dated 2nd August and asked, “No overdose of this would have caused any throuble?”

Witness: No. I should not think that that would have anything to do with the man’s condition.

There is no narcotic in this, is there? -- No.

The Coroner: There was a post-mortem made on the deceased at the hospital by Dr.Hamilton Fox, and they came to the conclusion that the deceased died from some kind of poisoning, and some of the contents of the intestines were sent to Mr. Tickle, the Public Analyst. Mr. Tickle says the body must have contained a total of not less than 20 grains of phenylethyl barbituric acid.

“The ordinary dose,” proceeded the Coroner, “ does not exceed 5 grains, and ten grains might have a toxic effect. Now in the box which was lost there might have been many tablets left, containing many grains?”

Witness: Twenty grains, I should, think would constitute a fatal dose.

Deceased had every indication when you examined him, that he had taken something of that sort? – That is so.

Mrs. Beatrice Skinner, of 10 Queen Street, Honiton, said she went over to Mrs. Readhead’s at 10.45 o’clock on the morning of 10th August, and saw Mr. Readhead taking some medicine from a bottle. The bottle was similar to one now produced by the Coroner.

Witness said she went to Mrs. Readhead’s again at about half-past twelve o’clock, just to call in, and she saw Mr. Readhead sitting in an armchair.

The Coroner: Did he seem depressed then?
Witness: He looked different. Sleepy he was, then.
Did he say “I wish I could have a long sleep and know that I would be dead by 5 o’clock tonight?” – Yes.
Witness added that she had never heard him threaten his life.

Mrs. Readhead, the widow, was then called to the witness box, and in reply to the Coroner said that she had made a further search for the box containing the tablets, but had not been able to find it.

The Coroner: There was every opportunity for him to have put it in the fire? – Yes, sir.

Do you remember his taking this medicine? –Yes, that in the bottle.

P.C.Pittkin then produced a certificate from Mr. Thomas Tickle, the Analyst, who stated that he had examined certain organs which the witness had submitted to him on August 13th, and he had to report that they contained phenylethyl barbituric acid in quantities indicating that the body a total of not less than 20 grains.

This concluded the evidence, and the Coroner returned a verdict as stated.

Wife: Florence MADGE

Name: Florence MADGE3
Sex: Female
Father: James MADGE (1854-1927)
Mother: Emma Jane Bailey HUBBER (1861-1915)
Birth 6 Oct 1891 Crediton , Devon, England3
Baptism 27 Oct 1892 (age 1) Crediton , Devon, England
Census 31 Mar 1901 (age 9) Crediton , Devon, England3
Tolleys
Census 2 Apr 1911 (age 19) Crediton , Devon, England4
1 Tolleys, Mill Street
Occupation 2 Apr 1911 (age 19) general hand in sweet factory; Crediton , Devon, England4
Residence 29 Mar 1914 (age 22) Crediton , Devon, England1
Tolleys
Census 19 Jun 1921 (age 29 yrs 8 mns) Honiton, Devon, England2
Queen Street
Occupation 19 Jun 1921 (age 29) Home duties; Honiton, Devon, England2
Census 29 Sep 1939 (age 47) Honiton, Devon, England5
28 Streamers Meadow
Occupation 29 Sep 1939 (age 47) unpaid domestic duties; Honiton, Devon, England5
Death Q4 1977 (age 85-86) Honiton, Devon, England

Child 1: Ivor William READHEAD

Name: Ivor William READHEAD
Sex: Male
Birth 20 May 1915 Crediton , Devon, England
Census 19 Jun 1921 (age 6 yrs 1 mn) Honiton, Devon, England2
Queen Street
Education: Whole Time
Census 29 Sep 1939 (age 24) Honiton, Devon, England5
28 Streamers Meadow
Occupation 29 Sep 1939 (age 24) skilled workman Post Office Engineering Dept telephone fitter; Honiton, Devon, England5
Death 1999 (age 83-84) Honiton, Devon, England

Child 2: Edith READHEAD

Name: Edith READHEAD
Sex: Female
Birth 18 Apr 1917 Crediton , Devon, England
Census 19 Jun 1921 (age 4 yrs 2 mns) Honiton, Devon, England2
Queen Street
Census 29 Sep 1939 (age 22) Honiton, Devon, England5
28 Streamers Meadow
Occupation 29 Sep 1939 (age 22) pottery decorator; Honiton, Devon, England5
Death 2001 (age 83-84) Honiton, Devon, England

Child 3: Jack READHEAD

Name: Jack READHEAD
Sex: Male
Birth Q1 1920 Crediton , Devon, England
Census 19 Jun 1921 (age 1 yr 5 mns) Honiton, Devon, England2
Queen Street
Death 2013 (age 92-93) Sidmouth, Devon, England

Child 4: Wilfred Ernest READHEAD

Name: Wilfred Ernest READHEAD
Sex: Male
Birth 23 Jan 1922 Crediton , Devon, England
Census 29 Sep 1939 (age 17) Honiton, Devon, England5
28 Streamers Meadow
Occupation 29 Sep 1939 (age 17) saw doctor heavy worker; Honiton, Devon, England5
Death 9 Jun 2008 (age 86) Honiton, Devon, England

Child 5: Beatrice May READHEAD

Name: Beatrice May READHEAD
Sex: Female
Birth 24 May 1923 Honiton, Devon, England
Census 29 Sep 1939 (age 16) Honiton, Devon, England5
28 Streamers Meadow
Occupation 29 Sep 1939 (age 16) confectionery shop assistant; Honiton, Devon, England5
Death 1 Nov 2001 (age 78) Exeter, Devon, England

Child 6: Frederick Albert READHEAD

Name: Frederick Albert READHEAD5
Sex: Male
Birth 25 Mar 1925 Honiton, Devon, England
Census 29 Sep 1939 (age 14) Honiton, Devon, England5
28 Streamers Meadow
Occupation 29 Sep 1939 (age 14) Post Office messenger boy; Honiton, Devon, England5
Death 23 Nov 1994 (age 69) Upottery, Devon, England

Child 7: Ralph READHEAD

Name: Ralph READHEAD
Sex: Male
Birth 24 Mar 1927 Honiton, Devon, England
Census 29 Sep 1939 (age 12) Honiton, Devon, England5
28 Streamers Meadow
Occupation 29 Sep 1939 (age 12) at school; Honiton, Devon, England5
Death 17 Nov 2015 (age 88) Honiton, Devon, England

Child 8: Sidney READHEAD

Name: Sidney READHEAD
Sex: Male
Birth 24 Feb 1929 Honiton, Devon, England
Census 29 Sep 1939 (age 10) Honiton, Devon, England5
28 Streamers Meadow
Occupation 29 Sep 1939 (age 10) at school; Honiton, Devon, England5
Death 1993 (age 63-64) Ottery St Mary, Devon, England

Sources

1Text From Source: 1914, Marriage solemnized at Parish Church of the Holy Cross in the Parish of Crediton in the County of Devon
Marriage No: South West Heritage Trust Archive Ref:2935A/PR/1/40 Devon Marriages and banns, parish marriages.
When Married: 29 Mar 1914
Name and Surname: Albert Ernest Readhead and Florence Madge
Age: 27 and 22
Condition: Bachelor and Spinster
Rank or Profession: Sawyer and -
Residence at the time of Marriage: Tolleys, Crediton and Tolleys, Crediton
Fathers' Names and Surnames: Albert Readhead and James Madge
Rank or Professions of Fathers: sawyer and labourer
Married in the church according to the Rites and Ceremonies of the Established Church, After Banns by me, Walter M Smith-Dorrien.
This Marriage was solemnized between us, Ernest Readhead and Florence Madge
in the Presence of us, James Madge, Reginald Madge
2Text From Source: Census England 1921
Address: Queen Street
Place: Honiton, Devon, England

Name,Relation,Age,Sex,Marr/Orph'd,Birthplace,Nationality,Education,Occupation,Employment,Place of Work,Chd <16,Children's Ages
Ernest Readhead,Head,34y 3m,M,Married,Wimborne, Dorset, England,,,Sawyer,George Blay, Timber Merchant,Honiton,3,1,4,6
Florence Readhead,Wife,29y 8m,F,Married,Crediton, Devon, England,,,Home duties,,,,
William Readhead,Son,6y 1m,M,Both Alive,Crediton, Devon, England,,Whole Time,,,,,
Edith Readhead,Daughter,4y 2m,F,Both Alive,Crediton, Devon, England,,,,,,,
Jack Readhead,Son,1y 5m,M,Both Alive,Crediton, Devon, England,,,,,,,
James Madge,Father-in-law,67y 7m,M,Widowed,Crediton, Devon, England,,,labourer, retired,,,,
3Text From Source: Census England 1901
Address: Tolleys
Place: Crediton, Devon, England

Name,Relation,Condition,Sex,Age,Occupation,Employ Status,At Home,Where Born,Infirmity
James Madge,Head,M,M,46,labourer,,,Crediton, Devon, England,
Emma Madge,Wife,M,F,39,,,,Crediton, Devon, England,
Sidney J Madge,Son,S,M,13,tinman,,,Crediton, Devon, England,
Ernest Madge,Son,S,M,11,,,,Crediton, Devon, England,
Florrie Madge,Daughter,S,F,9,,,,Crediton, Devon, England,
Louisa Madge,Daughter,S,F,7,,,,Crediton, Devon, England,
Reginald Madge,Son,S,M,4,,,,Crediton, Devon, England,
4Text From Source: Census England 1911
Address: 1 Tolleys, Mill Street
Place: Crediton, Devon, England

Name,Relation,Sex,Age,Married,Years,Chd Born,Chd Living,Chd Died,Occupation,Industry,Employ Status,At Home,Where Born,Nationality,Infirmity
James Madge,Head,M,57,M,,,,,general labourer,,,,Crediton, Devon, England,,
Emma Jane Madge,Wife,F,49,M,31,8,7,1,,,,,Crediton, Devon, England,,
Ernest Madge,Son,M,21,S,,,,,railway labourer,,,,Crediton, Devon, England,,
Florrie Madge,Daughter,F,19,S,,,,,general hand in sweet factory,,,,Crediton, Devon, England,,
Louisa Madge,Daughter,F,17,S,,,,,general hand in sweet factory,,,,Crediton, Devon, England,,
Reginald Madge,Son,M,14,S,,,,,draper's errand boy,,,,Crediton, Devon, England,,
Herman Madge,Son,M,10,S,,,,,school,,,,Crediton, Devon, England,,
5Text From Source: Register England & Wales 1939
Address: 28 Streamers Meadow
Place: Honiton, Devon, England

Name of person,Status,Gender,Birthdate,Condition,Occupation,Comments
Readhead, Florence,,F,6 Oct 1891,W,unpaid domestic duties,
Readhead, Ivor William,,M,20 May 1915,S,skilled workman Post Office Engineering Dept telephone fitter,
Readhead, Edith,,F,18 Apr 1917,S,pottery decorator,
Readhead, Wilfred E,,M,23 Jan 1922,S,saw doctor heavy worker,
Readhead, Beatrice M,,F,24 May 1923,S,confectionery shop assistant,
Readhead, Frederick A,,M,25 Mar 1925,S,Post Office messenger boy,
Readhead, Ralph,,M,24 Mar 1927,S,at school,
Readhead, Sidney,,M,24 Feb 1929,S,at school,