Francis Thomas Nash

Francis Thomas Nash was found dead in a canal between Olton and Solihull, near his home.

He had been a policeman with the Coventry police and stationed at St Michael's Without in Coventry. He had lodged in Stoke, Coventry.

He had been seeing a woman who lived in Great Witley, who at the inquest, said that she had received a letter from Francis Nash on 26 November 1924, however, she said that it contained nothing at all that would shed light on his death, and nothing to show that he was depressed. She also said that there had been no bother between them and added that although they were not engaged, that she had expected to marry him.

She noted however that she had not seen him since July 1924 but that they had arranged to meet in Kidderminster on 27 November 1924. However, she said that two days before that he had sent her a telegram saying:

However, she said that her letter to him, agreeing to meet him in Kidderminster, was posted before the wire arrived.

The woman whose house Francis Nash lodged at said that Francis Nash received the letter from his young lady on 26 November 1924 and that it appeared to upset him and that he tore it up and threw the bits away. However, she said that he appeared to get more cheerful.

The superintendent who was in charge of the Longford division of the Warwickshire constabulary, said that Francis Nash made an application to leave his station on 27 November 1924 and that sanction was given and was never rescinded. He added that he could find nothing in his private papers that could throw light on the affair.

When the Coroner summed up he pointed out that Francis Nash had acted strangely a day or two before he disappeared and had made arrangements to meet his young lady at Kidderminster, but then for no apparent reason had said he couldn't go. He then added that something seemed to be on his mind, which was not normal.

An open verdict was returned.