Percy Watts (1900 - 1926)

Born 1900 in Berry, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Died 6 Feb 1926 at about age 26 in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Eileen Strikwerda [send private message]

Biography

Percy Watts was born in 1900 in Berry, New South Wales, Australia ^[1], the son of Charles William Watts and Mary Ann Longbottom and the brother of Ernest (Longbottom) Watts [half] and Charles Henry Watts.

Percy, a single man, died on 6 February 1926 in the Lismore Hospital, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia as the result of a cerebral hemorrhage after an accident when his horse collided with a motor vehicle ^[2][3]. Percy was buried on 8 February 1926 in the Bexhill Cemetery, Bexhill, Lismore, New South Wales, Australia ^[4].
A Coroner's Inquiry was held to determine the cause of death, as follows:
The Coroner (Mr. F. D. H. Sutherland) held an inquiry at Lismore courthouse yesterday into the circumstances surrounding the death of Percy Watts, who was thrown from his horse on Fawcett Bridge on January 22, and succumbed on Saturday last.
Constable Cumming deposed that at 6.10 p.m. on January 22, he saw deceased and a man named Gardiner, riding at a furious pace up Woodlark-street and across Fawcett bridge. He followed on his bicycle, and on the North Lismore side of the bridge he saw a stationary motor car, also a horse with one of its legs smashed standing nearby. There was a lot of blood on the bridge. Charles Gardiner was there, and witness asked him who was the man who rode over with him. He replied that his name was Percy Watts, and that he came from Numulgi. Asked him what he meant by riding that way through the town, and he said, "I suppose we were going a bit fast." Went to the Winsome Hotel, and lying on a bed he saw Watts, who was unconscious.
A doctor arrived soon afterwards and ordered his removal to hospital, where he was taken in the ambulance. Dr. Roberts deposed that he saw Watts at the Winsome Hotel at 6.20 on January 22, Made an examination. He was unconscious, and he had him removed to hospital. For three days he remained unconscious, but later regained consciousness, but was not always rational. He remained in that state until February 6, when he died.
Conducted a post-mortem, and this revealed a fracture of the inner table of the skull, with no external signs of fracture. Cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage, due to the injury to the brain. There was a slight abrasion on the left thigh. Charles Gardiner, a farmer, residing at Numulgi, said he was with deceased on the day of the accident. They were both riding, and on going home they started to gallop in Woodlark-street, and the pace increased as the bridge was crossed. Witness horse fell on the bridge, but he was unhurt. When he got up he noticed deceased's horse had a leg broken. He did not actually see the accident happen.
Witness had five or six drinks that day, as also had deceased. His horse went to go one side of a motor car which was coming in the opposite direction, and deceased's on the other side. Witness' horse fell just before reaching the car. He saw deceased lying on the road.
Arthur B. Griffin deposed that on the evening in question he was driving a car from the south on to Fawcett bridge. Just before reaching the bridge he noticed two men on horseback coming towards him at a fair rate of speed. He pulled the car up and the horseman also tried to pull up, but the horses did not appear to get a footing and both skidded into the car, one striking it in the centre, and the other on the side. The car was stationary, and it was struck with great force. The rider of the horse which struck the car in the centre was thrown on the hood, and he rolled from there to the bridge. Witness and others picked him up, and he was bleeding at the mouth, ears and nose. The other man's horse fell, but the rider was uninjured. He was about 40 feet from the horsemen when he first noticed them.
Charles Watts, farmer, residing at Numulgi, deposed that deceased was his son. He was a single man, 25 years of age, and resided with witness. Was not sure if his life was insured, although he was recently arranging to take out a policy. He was of temperate habits.
The Coroner returned a verdict of accidental death. ^[5].

Sources

1. ↑ Birth: New South Wales Australia Births: Name: WATTS PERCY Registration number 10780/1900 Father's Given name(s) CHARLES Mother's Given name(s) MARY A District BERRY
2. ↑ Death: New South Wales Australia Deaths: Name: WATTS PERCY Registration number 5086/1926 Father's Given Name(s) CHARLES Mother's Given Name(s) MARY A District LISMORE
3. ↑ Death Notice: The Richmond River Express and Casino Kyogle Advertiser (NSW: 1904 - 1929) Mon 8 Feb 1926 Page 2 PERSONAL: The death occurred at the Lismore Hospital on Saturday of Percy Watts (25), who collided with a car on the bridge at Lismore some weeks ago, while riding home on horseback, accompanied by Charles Gardiner. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Watts, of Numulgi.
4. ↑ Funeral Notices: Northern Star (Lismore, NSW: 1876 - 1954) Mon 8 Feb 1926 Page 4 Family Notices: The FUNERAL of the late PERCY WATTS, beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Watts, of Numulgi, will move from Will Riley and Son's Funeral Parlour THIS DAY (MONDAY) at 11 a.m. for the Bexhill Cemetery.
5. ↑ Coroner's Inquiry: Northern Star (Lismore, NSW: 1876 - 1954) Tue 9 Feb 1926 Page 3 DEATH OF PERCY WATTS: CORONER'S INQUIRY: