Impression sketch
of Joseph Ruxton - by
Jamie.
With likely being
more to the story,
Was an Ealing
double tragedy -
The day prior to
News Years Eve,
Thursday 30
December 1915,
Saw a husband and
wife disagree.
In service with
the Veterinary Corps
John Joseph
Ruxton had returned
On leave - to be
with his young wife
Gladys Maud
Ruxton, who resided
In a housed owned
by a Mr Bailie.
Gladys being 21
John was 42,
Having been
married previously
Mr Ruxton's
children were then
Away, at their
school in Dublin -
The two had lived on
good terms.
With a wish that
Gladys Ruxton
Would join him in
Woolwich -
John found that she refused
To go - at the
House of Henry
John Bailie man
and wife met.
While any exact
conversations
Remained unknown, two
shots
Came from the
room - Mr Bailie
Rushed to the
room, only to see
Mrs Ruxton lying dead
on couch.
On top of her Mr
Ruxton lay,
Dying with his
last breaths -
A revolver lay upon the floor.
Coroner’s inquiry
looked into
Circumstances of their deaths.
A letter written
by Mr Ruxton
Evidenced the
premeditation -
He advised his
effects between
His children -
with likely guess
Work to be read
between lines.
Staff Sergeant
Ruxton, while
Not wishing to slander
his wife
In death, set out
his wishes
Had been to give
her every
Need - had she
been faithful.
His belief was
for happiness
With Gladys, only then to feel
None existed for
him in that
World - all to hint at the facts
Of the situation in their meeting.
John’s intention
being christian,
With a desire to
save Gladys
From a heinous
life - yet there
Was no hope for
him to survive
Such - suggesting speculations.
A coroner’s
enquiry felt other
Evidence gave Mr
Ruxton
No other cause
for jealousy -
That allegation's
against her
Had been totally
unfounded.
The deceased
Staff Sergeant
John Ruxton, to be given verdict
Of willful murder
and suicide,
Having been
drinking heavily,
All adding to his
unsound mind.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1916. Ealing
Double Tragedy. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 3 January 1916. P.2. Col.7. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12072929/Daily-Telegraph-January-3-1916.html
[Accessed: 3 January 2016].
Mann, J., 2016. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal
communication, 3 January 2016).
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