Herbert Chiverton Meyrick was a popular and well-known gentleman in Shropshire. His death in the morning of the 19th May 1909 was a genuine shock to those close to him and well beyond his family and immediate friends. Nobody knows what possessed this young man to mount his horse bareback and persuade it to the deep waters of Apley Pool. Suicide was dismissed at his inquest – Herbert was a happy man, he enjoyed life, embraced his sport, a keen horseman who cared for his family and friends.
The Wellington Journal and Shrewsbury News, May 22, 1909 carries a full report of the tragedy.
A SHROPSHIRE TRAGEDY.
MR. HERBERT MEYRICK DROWNED IN APLEY POOL.
Leaves have their time to fall.
And flowers wither the North-wind’s breath.
And stars set;-but all.
Then hast all seasons for thine own, 0 Death!
An indescribably sad and deplorable tragedy has been enacted, in close proximity to Apley Castle, Wellington. Apley Castle is the Shropshire seat of CoL Sir Thomas C. Meyrick, Bart., C.B., and Lady Merrick, and their fourth son, Mr. Herbert Chiverton Meyrick, resided with them there. He was an exceedingly popular gentleman in the county, a keen sportsman, and owned several racehorses, which he rode with some considerable success as gentleman-rider at country meetings.
Shortly after eight o’clock Wednesday morning Mr. Herbert Meyrick went to the stables and instructed his groom (Samuel Langley) to get his horse (Bourton Lad) ready for him to ride in the Park. Mr. Meyrick mounted the animal, and told his groom to join him in the Park after breakfast. When Langley re-joined his master deceased informed him that he was going to put the horse to the water.
Apley Castle Pool is rather a large expanse of water, situated within a short distance of the Castle itself. In the middle it is about ten twelve feet deep. For some time the horse refused to enter the water fighting shy of it. Mr. Meyrick was wearing his ordinary boots, was in light attire, and rode the horse bareback. The animal went in the water up to its knees, and for time would further. Eventually the horse gave a plunge, and soon got into the middle of the pool. It was taken off its feet, and went under the water several times. Then horse swerved, and Mr. Meyrick and the horse parted company. He swam for a short distance in the direction of the bank, and then, evidently seized with cramp, suddenly disappeared. Mr. Meyrick was able to swim well, but the water was cold at that early part of the day after a previous night’s frost. The groom, who was unable to swim, immediately ran to the stables for assistance, and within few minutes footmen, stablemen, and Mr. Maitland (the estate agent) had reached the side of the pool. Two boats were got out and a search made for the missing gentleman. In the meantime Superintendent Fulcher, Sergeant Taylor, and other members of the constabulary had arrived on the scene. Long boathooks were used in the search. Sir Thomas and Lady Meyrick and Miss Meyrick also came within a short distance of the pool, and on being informed of the sad occurrence their consternation and grief were naturally of the most poignant character. The horse, it should be stated, made its way to the side and was taken back to the stables.
About two hours elapsed before the body was recovered by Mr J. Jones Hadley. At this lime the members of the family, with the exception of Sir Thomas Meyrick, had returned to the Castle. Dr. Harry Hawthorn had already been summoned, and his motorcar being ready, he went at once to the lake, and Mr. Meyrick’s body being brought to shore, made an examination, but found life had gone. He was there before the body was recovered and directed what was to be done. The body was reverently borne to Apley Castle on learning the doctor’s dreadful pronouncement.
The news of the sad calamity spread rapidly, and the unwelcome intelligence oast quite a gloom over Wellington and surrounding districts Mr. Meyrick was 34 years of age, and was held in the best esteem of all who knew him. His eldest brother is Colonel F. W. Meyrick, who commanded the Shropshire Imperial Yeomanry during South African War, and was wounded in action. Another brother, Captain St. John Meyrick-Meyrick, served for twelve years in the Gordon Highlanders, and was killed whilst gallantly leading his men against the Boers at Doornkop, near Johannesburg on May 29th, 1900. He was buried in Maraisburg Cemetery in the presence of his comrades and many friends. This second calamity, the loss of another son under such tragic circumstances, has evoked widespread sympathy with Sir Thomas and Lady Meyrick and the other sorrowing members of the family. The late Mr. Herbert Meyrick also served with Lord Methuen’s Column in the South African War.
Apley Castle is situate on the outskirts of Wellington. It was the seat of the Charltons, an ancient Shropshire family, formerly at Charlton Castle, below the Wrekin, and afterwards, early the reign of Edward 1., at Apley. The old castle remains are now converted into stables. The modem mansion is a fine erection amid extensive grounds. Sir Thomas Charlton Meyrick assumed the last name on succeeding to the estates his maternal grandfather in Pembrokeshire. He was for some time M.P. for the Pembroke boroughs, and was created a baronet by Lord Beaconsfield in 1880.
The Union Jack Wellington Parish Church tower was hoisted at half-mast when the sad news was received in the town. At a meeting of Wellington Urban Council on Wednesday evening the Chairman (Mr. H. A. Clarke) made sympathetic allusion to the death Mr Herbert Meyrick, and proposed a vote of sympathy with family. It was seconded Mr. W. Crosskey (vice-chairman), and passed the members upstanding.
At a public meeting in Wellington Town Hall, Thursday evening, Lord Barnard (who presided) said they would pardon him if, before they proceeded to the business before them, made allusion to a regrettable event which had cast gloom upon all who lived in or near Wellington—he referred to the calamity which had befallen their friends and neighbours—Sir Thomas and Lady Meyrick. He was sure the meeting would permit him, in their name, to express publicly their sincere sympathy with Sir Thomas and Lady Meyrick in the lamentable bereavement they had suffered that week.
The inquest
The inquest was held by Mr. Coroner Lander the same evening at Apley Castle. Mr. Hugh Hobson of Wellington was foreman of the jury, which consisted principally of local tradesmen. Superintendent Fulcher of Wellington was also present.
In opening the inquiry, the coroner said they were no doubt acquainted with the tragic occurrence and he felt sure it would be their wish to joining him in conveying to Sir Thomas and Lady Meyrick, of the relatives, their sincere sympathy in their sad bereavement each they were so suddenly called upon to bear. From the evidence he was in a position to place before them, he (the coroner) apprehended them would be very readily returned their verdict as to what they believed to be the cause of death.
After viewing the body Mr. James Paterson Maitland gave evidence of identification. He said that he was an estate agent, in the employ of Sir Thomas Meyrick, and resided at Wellington. The body the coroner and jury had just for you to what was that of Herbert Chiverton Meyrick, aged 34 years. He was a gentleman residing with his father, Sir Thomas Meyrick, at Apley Castle. Witness saw Mr. Meyrick the previous evening, and had a short conversation with him. He was then to all appearance in his usual health. On Wednesday morning he was informed that Mr. Herbert Meyrick had been swimming his horse across the pool, and had got into the water himself. In consequence of that he immediately went to the pool, and was present when the body was recovered from the water. As far as witness knew Mr. Meyrick was then quite dead.
Samuel Langley said that he was the groom in the employ of Mr. Herbert Meyrick. On Wednesday morning witness was in the stable about eight thirty, when Mr. Meyrick came in and said that he was going to take the horse out and swim him across the pool. He was playing the horse for about ¼ hour, but could not get it to take the water. He then got the horse to plunge, and the animal started to cross the pool with Mr. Meyrick and riding him. When he got on well into the centre of the pool the horse swerved, and deceased left the horse’s back, and went into the water. The horse immediately turned to the right, and Mr. Meyrick swam to avoid the horse to his left. Witness was deceased swim for a short distance and then suddenly go under. He made no struggle or call for help, and did not come to the surface again. Witness then ran to the stables for assistance, and indicated to the footman and others where the accident occurred, and was present when the body was recovered – In reply to the Coroner, witness said that he could offer no suggestion for deceased’s coming off the horse. While swimming the pool he noticed the horse go under the water three times. Mr. Meyrick had on Saturday last told witness that the first nice morning he should endeavour to get the horse through the pool. Witness added, the reason that he wanted to get the horse into the water was because it was lame. Before starting across the pool he took off his waistcoat, coat and cap, and he then seemed to have no fear whatsoever of getting across the pool. Witness did not enter the water, but went for assistance as quickly as possible. Deceased was able to swim. Witness had been out with another horse before that morning and he had previously been to the stable and asked if that horse was alright. In reply to the Foreman, witness said that he himself was unable to swim. Deceased did not get entangled with a harness. The horse had no harness or stirrups.
Sergeant Taylor deposed to having received a report with regard to the tragic occurrence on Wednesday, and in company with Superintendent Fulcher and Police Constable Jones immediately went to the pool. When he arrived witness found two boats on the lake in charge of Mr. Maitland. After searching for some time, the body of deceased was recovered close to where the accident occurred, and where it had been indicated by the groom. The footman had also dived into the water. The deceased gentleman’s body would be some thirt-five yards from the footpath side of the pool, or better than halfway across the pool when he left the horse. When the body was recovered Dr. Harry Hawthorn had found life had to be extinct.
Dr. Harry W. Hawthorn stated that he was present at the time of the recovery of the body from the water, and he then made an examination. There were no marks whatsoever, and life was extinct. There was no sign or appearance of there having been any struggle, and witness was of the opinion that Mr. Meyrick was taken with cramp, and in those circumstances he would have to fall off the horse, and would have to remain at the bottom of the water, which was unusual unless anyone was taken with cramp, and that would account for there being no struggle. Early in the morning witness said the water would be very cold, in fact, almost icy, and would bring on cramp very quickly, especially as deceased was not used to it. Assuming that he was taken with cramp, as witness supposed, he would only be able to grip the horse with one hand, and as cramp spreads from one muscle to another, he would probably have let go to the horse altogether. There was only one other suggestion that witness could offer; deceased might have had fainting attack, but in that case he will be unable to swim at all, so that it was most probable the correct theory was cramp.
This completed the evidence, and the jury returned a verdict of “Accidentally drowned.”
After the inquisition was duly signed, Mr. Hobson rose, and said it was the wish of the jury to be allowed to express their deepest sympathy with Sir Thomas, Lady Meyrick, and the relatives in their sad bereavement; this vote of confidence he asked the Coroner to convey.
The interment will take place to-day (Saturday) in Wellington churchyard at 3 o’clock, and the funeral procession will start from the town and not from the castle.
(left: Coverage of the funeral (click the image for enlargement)