Choat, William

died 17 October 1924 aged 89 years
buried 19 October 1924 Linwood Cemetery Block 20 Plot 26

Crimean Veteran.
Committs Suicide
(by Telegraph—Press Association)
Christchurch. Oct. 17.

William Choat, a veteran of the Crimean war aged 89 years, was found hanging in a shed at the rear of his house.

Choat was born in West Ratting, Cambridgeshire, in 1835. He served in the Crimean war with the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Artillery, and was wounded in the shoulder at the battle of Inkerman. He emigrated to New Zealand and arrived here in the ship Canterbury in 1865. He was a carpenter by trade, but retired some years ago. At the inquest to-day Choat's son said his father had never had a day's illness in his life, and until recently had never complained. A few months ago he said he was worried and was suffering from pains in the back. A verdict of suicide by hanging while in an unsound state of health was returned.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, 18 October 1924, Page 5