DROWNING IN THE RIVER LARK

BOY DROWNED IN THE LARK

AN ICKLINGHAM TRAGEDY as REPORTED in the BURY FREE PRESS 31-08-1918

On Saturday morning Alfred John Stevens, an Icklingham lad of ten, went with his brother to pass their time by fishing in the Lark. Somehow he fell into the water, and when his body was found life was extinct.

The inquest was held by Mr R B Wilson Coroner for the Liberty of Bury St Edmunds.

The bereaved mother, Mrs Florence Stevens, wife of Mr O C Stevens, of Icklingham, Wheelwright, stated that her son left home about half-past nine o'clock on Saturday morning with his younger brother Frank. They said they were going to fish in the river. About ten o'clock Frank came home and said his brother was in the water trying to get out. She ran down and saw his cap on the water, but could not see the boy. She raised an alarm and P. C. Sladden came and got him out.

Frank Stevens stated that he saw his brother on the wall of the bridge, and then missed him. He went round and saw him in the water, trying to get out. Witness stopped a little while to see if he could get out, and then ran and told his mother.

P C Sladden deposed to recovering the body, which was at the bottom of the river, in about nine or ten feet of water.

The jury returned a verdict of "Accidentally drowned."

courtesy of Mr R [bob] Stevens