William Robert Milford

GEDCOM Note

FOOTBALLERS SAD DEATH AT OKEHAMPTON MONDAY 16TH JANUARY 1922≤br>An inquest concerning the death of WM Robert Milford who passed away suddenly after playing football at Okehampton on Thursday,brother in-law Hamilton Rickard said deceased was27 years of age and was a guard in the employ of L and SW railway company,an inquest was held by Mr. H C Brown at the Okehampton workhouse Friday evening.≤br>an inquest concerning the sudden death of WM Robert Milford,who passed away suddenly after playing football at okehampton on Thursday.Brother in-law Hamilton Rickard said deceased was 27 yearts of age and was a guard with L and SW railways company.He had a wife and one child.≤br>witness said he reached the football field at 3pm and Milford was there practicing with 18 to 20 others.There was no rough play during the practice which terminated at 5pm. Milford,Rickard and anotherplayer named Evans then left the field together and proceeding to a stream nearthe field,they washed the mud from their boots.while Milford suddenly exclaimed"oh" and fell into the water.≤br>He had been laughing and talking just previously. Witness and Evans lifted Milford from the water and layed him on his back,when he died.≤br>Medical assistance was at once sought,and Dr.Wright was soon in attendance and suggested removal to a mortuary.≤br>Joseph A Evans corobarated. Dr. T S Wright said when he arrived he found the deceased on his back dead.≤br>As a result of the post mortal examination performed by Dr. Gameson and himself,they found no marks of violence.The cause of death was due to a sudden heart failure.There was evidence of pre-existing disease of the Aorta and the arteries whichfed the heart which would account for such failure.All other organs were healthy.≤br>A verdict in accordance whith the medical evidence was re-turned.The coroner expressed his sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.