Death from coal gas poisoning

[Munro84]

I have just found that my 2nd great grandfather died of coal gas poisoning in 1938 in Scotland aged 78. It does not say it was suicide and there is also a correction page but that does not say suicide either and does not actually give any different information apart from 30 minutes difference in the time that he died, which could have been important if there was an investigation.

[Skoosh]

My grannie went doon tae the cellar, a leak in the gas pipe to see,
She lighted a match for to see it, Oh bring back my grannie tae me! 

Skoosh.

[GR2]

My grandfather used to say

When the kitchen boiler burst,
father merely sat and cursed.
Mother, with a finer feeling,
scraped the housemaid from the ceiling.

[Forfarian]

I have just found that my 2nd great grandfather died of coal gas poisoning in 1938 in Scotland aged 78. It does not say it was suicide and there is also a correction page but that does not say suicide either and does not actually give any different information apart from 30 minutes difference in the time that he died, which could have been important if there was an investigation.

I don't think you could say that accidental coal gas poisoning was very common, but it certainly did happen. Even as quite a small child I remember knowing that town gas was poisonous as well as potentially explosive and that one had to be very careful about not leaving a gas tap turned on, but I don't actually remember being told that.

[Treetotal]

One of my relatives cause of death read "Coal Gas Poisoning due to temporary insanity" Maybe in your relative's there wasn't enough evidence as to whether it was accidental or suicide.
Carol

[Forfarian]

I think I didn't make my point very well. It is that I think that the majority of coal gas poisonings were accidental rather than suicide. If there had been any suggestion that your relative's death was suicide, you can be sure that the Register of Corrected Entries would have said so.

[youngtug]

It was so easy to gas yourself accidentally before appliances were fitted with a thermocouple, without such a flame failure safety device a cooker or gasfire flame could be extinguished leaving gas flowing into the room.

[isk]

Just discovered today, the deaths of a great aunt and uncle of my brother-in-law were caused by Coal Gas Poisoning in Aberdeen in 1959.  Both the Death Certificates and RCEs state quite clearly that the deaths were accidental.  They had led very adventurous and exciting lives and I suppose it is good that they went together but hard for the family left behind.  ink

[Finley 1]

me too

A great Uncle    sadly it was a confirmed suicide...

The worst part for me was advising his Grandaughter, some years ago.

We got together through this 'lark' discovered each other and found a really close relationship.
She had no idea how her Grandfather had died..............................................

She was grateful for the knowledge and able to cope.   

She is a great cousin and I am so proud to have met her.

xin

 

skoosh and g r ...