An inquest was held at the Compass Inn, Rushden, on Saturday morning last by Mr. J. C. Parker, Deputy Coroner, touching the death of Winifred Irena Smith, aged 4 years and 4 months, the daughter of Lance-Corpl. Thomas Allen Smith, of 5, Bedford-road, Rushden, Mr. G. Bayes was foreman of the jury.

The Coroner, in opening the inquiry, said that deceased was not very well on Wednesday but nothing serious was the matter. On Thursday morning she got up, and complained of pains in the stomach and back, but no serious symptoms were apparent. She had breakfast, and then played about and, as a matter of fact, wanted to go to school, but was not allowed to do so. She was put to bed at 8 p.m. on Thursday, not seriously ill. During the night the mother was awakened by a gurgling sound. A neighbour was fetched, and Dr. Greenfield was sent for, but the child was then dead.

Dr. Greenfield said: I had not attended the child. I was called in early Friday and was informed that the child was dead. I went at 10 a.m. and found the child lying dead in bed, in a natural position. There was nothing to indicate the cause of death. I made a post-mortem examination and found the right lung congested. I came to the conclusion that the child died from pneumonia. I have frequently seen children playing about when they had pneumonia.

Mrs. Smith, mother of the child, said: Deceased was all right on Wednesday. She had her meals all right on Thursday. She cried in the afternoon. I took her to bed at 8 p.m. At 11.45 I woke up, hearing the child breathing painfully. I knocked for Mrs. Bazeley, next door. Mrs. Bazeley came at once, and Mr. Bazeley went for the doctor, but the child was dead then.

Mrs. Bazeley said: The child seemed quite well on Wednesday. On Thursday night, at 11.45, I heard Mrs. Smith knocking on the wall. I went at once. The child was apparently dead, but as I looked I saw an eyelid move.

Verdict, “Death from natural causes.”

The jury expressed sympathy with the mother, especially in view of the fact that the father is away at the front.