Tonge Septimus Jorge Major

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Surname: Tonge;

Forename(s): Septimus Jorge;

Initials: SJ;

Rank: Major;

Born in: Manchester;

Resided in: Llandudno;

MGC Branch: Infantry;

MGC Unit: 21 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (1): 21 Coy;

Other MGC Unit Served (2): 30 Bn;

How killed: D;

Where: UK;

When killed: 09-May-1918;

Awarded: MID;

Other Data: mention - War Diary 18/10/1916 - 21 Coy - sent on leave 29/11/1916
born Manchester 11/3/1880, farmer, son of Robert Tonge, Lymehurst, Llandudno. Brotherto Katie and May Tonge. Formerly Pte 245, 11 R Sussex R, served 8/9/14, disch to Commsn 13 LF 26/9/1915.
Casualty Form: to France 10/4/16, joined 21 Coy MGC 24/4/16. LG - to be T/Lt 23/11/16. Leave to UK 30/11/16, rejoined 13/12/16. App 2 1/c 7/7/17. Temp I/c 11/8/17. 25/8/17 leave to UK, rejoined 1/9/17. Leave to UK 2/2/18, rejoined 12/2/18. Ordered to UK for 6m tour of duty ex 30Bn. 09/05/18 committed suicide (stress and shell-shock)in Skerry Vore Woods, Llangystennim, Conway (aged 37)
Letter from APMs Office Llandudno 10/5/18: I beg to report the following for your information: An inquest was held today at the police station, Llandudno on the body of Major S Tonge, MG Corps, Grantham who was found in a wood Nr Llandudno last night, with a bullet wound through the head. The facts of the case are as follows - He returned from BEF France about six weeks ago, having been granted leave for one month, on expiration of which he reported to MGC Depot, Grantham. About 10.30pm 8/5/18 he arrived at his home (Limehurst, Roumania Crescent, Craig-y-don, Llandudno) unexpectedly and when asked by his sister how it was he had come home again, he replied that he could not stick it at Grantham, and would not go back there again. He left the house on the 9th instant, stating his intention of goingfor a long walk. He appeared then to be in avery depressed state. His sister received a letter from him stating his intention of doing away with himself, and naming place where he would be found. On receipt of this letter, his sister, along with afriend, proceeded to the spot, on nearing which, they heard a shot, and found the deceased with a bullet wound through the head, and a revolver in his right hand. He expired shortly afterwards. On arrival of the doctor, he prounounced life extinct. The body was removed to the mortuary and an inquest held today. The verdict was "that deceased shot himself whilst suffering from shellshock and depression". The deceased's sister stated that he had been overseas about two years and was given to understand that he was suffering from shell shock" signed WA Gillmore, Capt, APM, No 8, RE Res Trg Centre, Llandudno

See GS archives for copy death cert etc;

Other Notes: MID: LG 21/12/1917 (24/12/1917, France) A/Capt;

Related National Archives files: WO339/43842;

END OF RECORD.

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