Extract from the Sussex Express 6 November 1942

Second Attempt - Fletching Woman's Suicide

How a well known Fletching woman took her life after a previous unsuccessful attempt, was related to the East Sussex Coroner Dr.E.F.Hoare at an inquest at Black Ven Farm, Fletching on Friday. Deceased was Miss Eliza Hobbs,aged 79 years whose body was recovered from the river nearby during a search which followed the discovery when a cup of tea was taken to her room early on Wednesday morning.

Henry Hobbs of Black Ven Farm, identified deceased as his sister, and said he had lived next door to her for about 2 years. On being informed that she was missing at about 7.45 a.p. he made a search and found imprints of her shoes leading towards Searles lake. He followed them to Clapwater, and on looking over the bridge he saw her lying in the water. He pulled her out,but found she was dead.

Witness told the coroner that his sister had been in the water on a previous occasion but had been got out. His sister was a spinster and a daughter of Mr James Hobbs who previously farmed there.

Mrs Doris Mary Partridge said she had lived with the deceased for the last two years, and last saw her alive when she went to bed on the previous Tuesday evening .She took deceased up a cup of tea the following morning and found that she was missing, although the bed had been slept in. Witness said there was a letter on the bed which indicated that deceased intended to take her life. Deceased had got into a pond about two months previously but had been got out.

The Coroner intimated that the contents of the letter were that the deceased could not bear things any longer "Its so awful" she wrote.

P.C.Raymond Skinner said he was informed that deceased was missing at 8 a.m. He went to the farm and organised a search among the woods and buildings. When he arrived at Clapwater he saw deceased lying on her back on the river bank, and tried artificial respiration without avail. He searched the bank and found a walking stick pushed into a tree near the bridge. He concluded deceased had jumped over bridge, into the river, as it was a wet morning and there was no indication on the river bank of her having slipped in. The river was fairly deep and about 30 ft. below the bridge.

Dr. Richard Gainsborough of Fletching, said he had known deceased for about 12 months, and last saw her alive on the previous Monday. He had examined the body and was of the opinion that death was due to shock. He was not altogether surprised at the occurrence as deceased had always been neurasthenic and latterly had become worse.

The Coroner recorded a verdict that "Death was due to shock from immersion due to deceased throwing herself into the river while the balance of her mind was disturbed."

P.C.Skinner thanked Mr. Henry Hobbs for his assistance, and Mr.Hobbs expressed the thanks of his family to P.C.Skinner for all he had done.

Deceased was a native of Maresfield but had lived in London for the greater part of her live. She returned to the village about two years ago after being bombed out of her London home. Her family is well-known in the district, where her father occupied Black Ven Farm for many years before it was taken over by her brother 44 years ago.

The interment took place at Nutley Parish Church on Saturday, and was conducted by the Vicar, the Rev H.P.Walkden. The chief mourners includes Mr Albert Hobbs and Mr David Hobbs ( brothers), Mrs D. Hobbs (sister in law ), Mrs Tribe, Mrs A.Best, Mr And Mrs A.Sturgeon, Mrs Partridge, Miss L Hobbs, Mr and Mrs Mackenzie and Mr J Hobbs (nieces and nephews)