Samuel Walton

Samuel Walton was found dead on the Great Western Railway line at Warwick.

His body was found near the Budbrooke signal box about 150 yards on the Budbrooke side of the level crossing.

His head was severed from his body and was found 8 yards further down the line towards Budbrooke on the outside of the rails. His legs were broken just above the ankles.

When found his watch was still going.

It was not known how he got on the line.

He was last seen leaving his lodgings on the Tuesday when he came home from work between 4-5pm and his fellow lodger said that he seemed in his usual spirits and had gone out at 6pm. The fellow lodger said that Samuel Walton had bought a bottle of medicine on the Saturday which he had said were for his nerves.

An engine driver said that he had driven a bank engine between Warwick and Hatton at about 8.45pm on the Tuesday and said that there was no body on the six-foot-way, but when he returned at 10.30pm he noticed it. A Railway Company representative said that between 8.45pm and 10.30pm seven trains would have passed along the up-line where the body was found.

He had lived at 65 Queen Street in Leamington and worked at Messrs. Barr and Sons, oil merchants in Leamington. His father was a farmer at Gannaway Gate in Claverdon and on 20 June 1915 he had gone home to assist in the haymaking. His father said that he was in his normal health and spirits and knew of no reason why he would take his life.

An open verdict was returned.