MISSING FOR THREE WEEKS

The Coroner for East Sussex (Mr G Vere Benson) held an inquest at the Working Men's Club, Glynde, yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, to enquire into the circumstances surrounding the finding of a man's body in a ditch at Pump Brooks on Tuesday. The body had been identified as that of Henry Brown of Hampden Gardens, who had been missing from his home since June 25th.

The Coroner said the man, who was a labourer, was 52 years of age, and it appeared he had not been in very good health and had been in irregular employment at Newhaven. He had been living at home, and not working. His father died on June 15th, and about ten days afterwards the deceased man told his sister he was going for a walk about four o'clock in the afternoon. That was the last heard of him alive. His sister reported the matter to the Police. On Tuesday, July 20th, John Stanford found the body lying in a ditch by Pump Brook. The body appeared to have been there a long time, and was unrecognisable except for the clothes.

Lois Brown, sister, said Dr Parkhurst had told deceased he was suffering from softening of the brain. It was quite four years ago since Dr Parkhurst had seen him. He had never threatened to take his life, in fact he had a horror of such a thing. She last saw him alive on Friday, June 25th. He went for a stroll as usual, and they expected him back.

John Stanford, an agricultural labourer, living in Glynde Street, said that on Tuesday about 10 o'clock he found the body at Pump Brook in a ditch which had about two feet six inches of water in it.

PC Thomas Bishop said on searching the body he found several articles, but no money.

The Coroner said there was no suggestion of foul play. There was nothing but to bring in an open verdict of 'Found drowned'.