Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), Thursday 1 July 1948, page 5


OPEN FINDING ON EX-POLICEMAN'S DEATH

An open finding was recorded yesterday by Mr Burke, PM, City Coroner, after an inquest mto the death of George Henry William Jerram, 43, boiler at-tendant, of Kookaburra st,

Frankston.

Jerram, formerly a member of the Police force, was at one time a North Melbourne footballer, and was captain and coach of Williamstown FC

some years ago.

Mr Burke found that Jerram died from a fractured skull and other injuries, but the evidence was in-sufficient for him to say whether Jerram fell accidentally or whether his fall was caused by a blow.

Ettie Rose Baker, glove maker, of Clifton st, Richmond, said she met Jerram and Mr and Mrs Kavanagh at Richmond on May 15. They went to the Cricket Club Hotel In Claren-don st, South Melbourne.

She and Mrs Kavanagh were sitting on the hotel step, when two men,approached and spoke to them.

Shortly afterwards Jerram came out of the hotel. He looked toward the men, and then handed her some wine he was carrying. She stepped away, intending to call Mr Kavanagh. She heard a yell and looked round. Jer ram was lying on the ground.

Clarice Irene Kavanagh, married woman, of Wall St, Richmond, said that while Jerram was handing the wine to Ettie Baker one of the men struck him, and he fell.

Detective Hugh L. Hookey gave evidence that Vincent Keating, of the Cricket Club Hotel, had made a statement to the police, in which he said that he saw Jerram, after leaving the hotel, slip and strike his head on the ground,

Aubrey. Lyons, gas worker, of Rag-lan place, South Melbourne, said that when he left the hotel, about 5.30, he saw a man lying on the footpath. A woman called, "Who hit my brother?" There were about 20 men there, and a fight started.

Edward William Sayers, insurance collector, Cecil place, South Mel 1 bourne, said he saw Jerram lying on

the footpath, with a man standing over him. apparently in the act of kicking him.

Det-sgt Donelly: You jumped io the conclusion that the man was being kicked, and you just jumped in and flattened anyone who was about?- Witness: Not just any-

one.

Leonard Thomas Dunbar, beveller, of Raglan pl. South Melbourne, said he saw a man throw a full bottle of beer at Sayers, who staggered and

fell.

Mrs Caroline Evans, Napier St, South Melbourne, Jerram's sister, said she saw her brother at the hotel in the afternoon. She went home, but when Ettie Baker came to her house she returned to the hotel, where she saw her brother lying on the street. There was no brawl in progress when she reached there.