Mr Charles Harold Clark - 1958

The Inquest - Rushden man died of heart attack. 19th November 1958.

Mr. Charles Harold Clark, shoe manufacturer, "Herradura", Irchester Road, Rushden, aged 67, whose body was recovered from a water-filled claypit at Rushden on Saturday, had a heart attack, from which he died as he fell into the water.

This was decided at the inquest at Wellingborough this morning by the East Northamptonshire Coroner, Capt. J. S. Parker. He recorded a verdict of death from natural causes.

Dr. Harold James Voss, pathologist at Kettering General Hospital, said he conducted a post mortem examination on Mr. Clark on Monday.

There were no external bruises or injuries. The wind-pipe contained no water and there were no effects of drowning. There was clear evidence that the heart had been failing.

Dr. Voss said there was softening of part of the brain. In his opinion, death was, due to hypotensic cardiac failure.

The Coroner: "In that state of health he might wander about without knowing where he was going?" — "Yes."

"There is no doubt that in fact he was dead before he got into the water?" — "No doubt at all."

Charles Harold Clark in 1917

Knew District  

John Clark, 55 Victoria Road, Rushden, said his brother went out after tea on Thursday and did not return. “As near as we can tell from his wife it was between 4 p.m. and 4.15," he said.

His brother knew the district well and the claypit near the Wellingbqrough road was a place he might go to for a walk.

Before he rose, Capt. Parker referred to a report in last Saturday's "Evening Telegraph" in which Mr. Clark was said to have been "found drowned."

"The evidence has shown that he was not drowned and a certain amount of distress has been caused to the family," Capt. Parker said.

Note: Charles Harold Clark married Kathleen Ette daughter of Charles Ette, baker.