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George Joseph Perman

Age: 72

Sex: male

Date: 6 Jan 1958

Place: River Thames, Temple Stairs, Victoria Embankment, Westminster, London

George Joseph Perman was found dead in the River Thames on 6 January 1958.

His body was found by a policeman in the River Thames near Temple stairs at Victoria Embankment, Westminster.

He had lived at 320 Fulham Road, West Brompton in London. His body was identified by his son-in-law who had lived with him by the belt that he had been wearing. He also said that he knew that George Perman had had a scar over his right eye, whilst on his right arm he had had a tattoo of a rose and some crossed flags, and on his right arm an anchor.

Property found on George Perman's body included a Trade Union card and a Working Men's Club card.

It was noted that a puzzling feature of his case was that George Perman had been a good swimmer and had previously saved three people from drowning.

His inquest was held at Westminster on Friday 17 January 1958 where an open verdict was returned.

It was noted that George Perman had had some trouble with his sight and had had an operation for a cataract of the eye and had been worried about it after he had come out.

His son-in-law also said that George Perman had been worried about finding money in connection with his rent.

He said that he last saw George Perman alive on Sunday 15 December 1958 at 3.15pm, saying that he had been watching television when he had seen a shadow pass downstairs that he thought was George Perman going out.

He noted that the previous day, Saturday 14 December 1958, that George Perman had come in from paying the rent and had said to him that he had to find some money somehow. He said, 'I said I would borrow £50 for him. He broke down and cried. He was in and out of the house about eight or nine times that day, which was very unusual. He was always the centre of attraction at parties and socials and was always willing to give a turn or sing. He was also a good swimmer and had saved three persons from the Thames'.

The pathologist that examined George Perman's body said that his cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning. He said that there was no alcohol in his body and that he had confirmed the special features detailed by George Perman's son-in-law.

It was thought that his body had been in the water for about three weeks.

When the Coroner summed up he noted that George Perman had had worries about his eye-sight and had also been concerned about money matters. He said, 'As to the circumstances in which he came to be in the River Thames, as to whether he deliberately entered the water or accidentally slipped in while his mind was preoccupied we cannot say. I shall record a verdict that death was due to asphyxia from drowning but there is nothing to show how he came to be in the water, which is an open verdict'.


*map pointers are rough estimates based on known location details as per Place field above.

see www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk

see Chelsea News and General Advertiser - Friday 17 January 1958