Son of Richard and Ann Bird (Née Cheston)
Husband of Mary Ann Bird (Née Flannery)
Latrobe
Accidental Death
An inquest was held at the Devon Hospital on Saturday afternoon, before the coroner (Lieut.-Colonel James Smith) on the body of Walter John Bird, of the Don, who died as the result of injuries received by a fall of a telegraph pole. Mr. R. M. Ritchie appeared on behalf of the relatives of the deceased, and Sergeant E. C. Flude conducted the case on behalf of the police. Gordon W. Boatwright, son-in-law of the deceased, gave evidence of identification. Dr. G. A. Walpole said he knew the deceased. He saw him on August 17, at Devonport, when he was unconscious. Dr. J. Payne was present. They ordered his removal to the Devon Hospital. He saw him again at the hospital about an hour later, when he was still unconscious. The symptoms pointed to concussion of the brain. During the night he partially recovered consciousness. He remained so during August 18. At about 9 a.m. on August 19 he became totally unconscious, and he passed away at 7.30 a.m. on the following day. In his opinion, death was due to injuries on the head and brain, which could be caused by a fall from a height. After hearing the evidence of George Rice, senior linesman, employed by the Commonwealth Government, James Donaldson, and William James Welling, both of whom were temporarily employed by the Commonwealth Government as linesmen, the coroner returned a verdict of accidental death, caused by injuries sustained by the breaking of a telegraph pole, at the top of which deceased was working. The funeral of the late Mr. W. Bird took place at Don on Sunday afternoon. There was a large attendance, including 50 members of the Oddfellows Lodge. The Rev. W. Dawson conducted the funeral service, and P. G. Bro. C. J. Harrison read the Oddfellows’ funeral service. The pallbearers were Messrs. J. Donaldson, W. Willing, W. Rice, and E. Roughley. The deceased had been a member of the Order of Oddfellows for 46 years, and had held several offices.