Powys-Lybbe Forbears - Person Sheet
Powys-Lybbe Forbears - Person Sheet
NameDr John Bruce M'Morland MB, ChB 
[84, Birth in 1883, St Patrick dist, ref 646/3 1639], [2, Vol I, p.860], [27, LG of Ireland 1958, Hamilton article, p. 348], [3, His death, Q4 of 1932, Axminster diet, vol 5b, p. 10]
[84, Birth in 1883, St Patrick dist, ref 646/3 1639], [2, Vol I, p.860], [27, LG of Ireland 1958, Hamilton article, p. 348], [3, His death, Q4 of 1932, Axminster diet, vol 5b, p. 10]Birthca 1882, Partick district, Scotland
Death22 Nov 1932, (at a nursing home but living at) Brooklands, Colyton, Devon
GeneralOf Brookfield, Colyton, Devon.
Spouses
1Evelyn de Courcy Hamilton [27, LG of Ireland 1958, Hamilton article, p. 348], [4, 1911 ref: RG14PN13449 RG78PN782 RD286 SD2 ED8 SN83], [3, Birth, Q4 of 1890, Richmond (Surrey) dist, vol 2A, p. 352], [3, Death, Q1 of 1958, Devon Central dist, vol 7A, p. 385], [2, Vol I, p.860]
[27, LG of Ireland 1958, Hamilton article, p. 348], [4, 1911 ref: RG14PN13449 RG78PN782 RD286 SD2 ED8 SN83], [3, Birth, Q4 of 1890, Richmond (Surrey) dist, vol 2A, p. 352], [3, Death, Q1 of 1958, Devon Central dist, vol 7A, p. 385], [2, Vol I, p.860]FatherConstantine de Courcy Hamilton (1861-1927)
MotherEliza Susan Eccles Swinton (1863-1951)
Marriage9 Sep 1911, Guildford district, Surrey [3, Their marriage, Q3 of 1911, Guildford diet, vol 21, p. 193], [2, Vol I, p.860], [27, LG of Ireland 1958, Hamilton article, p. 348]
Notes for Dr John Bruce M'Morland MB, ChB
He was M.B., Ch.B. (Edin), and yst s. of John McMorland of Glasgow.
His Scots birth index:
Surname Forename Gender Year Ref RD Name
MCMORLAND JOHN BRUCE M 1883 646/3 1639 Partick
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His death:
Surname First name(s) Age District Vol Page
Deaths Dec 1932 (>99%)
McMorland John B 50 Axminster 5b 10
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From the Western Times of Fri 9 Dec 1932:
OVERDOSE OF MORPHIA
Doctor’s Death in East Devon
Open Verdict at Inquest
Drug-Taking as result of war sickness
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An open verdict was returned by Mr C.N. Tweed, Coroner for East Devon, at the adjourned inquest held at Seaton Town Hall Wednesday on Dr John Bruce McMorland, 49, of Brooklands, Colyton, who died in a nursing home on Nov 22nd.
At the previous hearing evidence was given that dec eased, who suffered from dysentry and malaria contracted during the war, was in the habit of taking morphia in tablet form. On Nov 21st Mrs McMorland, the wife, was with him at home, being absent from him for 40 minutes at tea time, and on returning found him lying in a semi-conscious condition on the floor. Dr. Simpson, his partner, and Dr Davy were called.
The Coroner had adjourned the inquest until Wednesday for the analysis of certain organs of the body by the County Analyst.
Richard John Hunt, in the employ of Dr Burton, of Chelstom, Torquay, said he was formerly employed as a chauffeur by deceased for eight years. On Nov 21st Dr McMorland gave him instructions to have his car ready by 5 p.m. Deceased appeared to be normal and did not seem to be worried.
The Coroner: Do you know that he has been worried?
Witness: Yes, over his health and about leaving Colyton. He did not like to leave the town.
Witness, proceeding, said he waited outside, and as the doctor did not come he went upstairs and found him lying on the floor near the doorway, groaning, or making a slight noise, as though he wanted something. By his side was a bag, and it looked as if he had been packing it. In it were some bottled.
Dr Simpson said the symptoms in deceased were consistent with death from poisoning by morphine.
The Coroner: You also said that deceased indicated to you that he had taken morphia?
Witness: By signs I gathered that he had.
Witness also stated that he found in deceased’s pocket a hypodermic syringe.
The Coroner, in summing up, said there was no doubt that deceased had been suffering considerable pain, and that he sought relief from it by the injections of morphia. About three or four months ago Dr Simpson ascertained that deceased had been taking this course for a considerable time. Dr Simpson, who had been in partnership with deceased, very properly tried to persuade him not to take so much and eventually the dose was reduced to a third of the original dose per day. Dr Simpson said he had no knowledge of his having taken any in the month prior to his death. Mrs McMorland corroborated, though she said she knew her husband was in the habit of taking morphia.
The Coroner continued that he had no doubt in his mind that the deceased was what might be called a morphia addict. It was stated by the widow that deceased had been worried by financial matters, but that he was not being pressed. It was also clear that he was worried at the idea of having to move from Colyton to Sidbury. A post-mortem examination which had been made was abortive so far as ascertaining whether there was any morphia in the system was concerned, and he sent certain organs of the body to be analysed, but this analysis did not reveal very much. His object in having the organs analysed was the hope that he might ascertain whether the morphia was of such an excessive amount that it would have been obvious to the deceased, who was a doctor, that he was taking an overdose. He had not obtained that information from the analysis. In view, however, of the evidence of Dr Simpson, and the discovery of the hypodermic syringe, he came to the conclusion that the deceased died of an overdose of morphia, but that there was not sufficient evidence to lead him to conclude that the deceased intended to take the overdose, or that he committed suicide. On the other hand, he was not prepared definitely to rule this out. He therefore returned an open verdict, that the deceased died from an overdose of morphia, but whether is was accidental or intentional, there was not sufficient evidence to show. He was quite satisfied that Dr Simpson did everything he possibly could to try to prevent the deceased taking morphia.
In conclusion, the Coroner expressed his sincere sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.
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His Scots birth index:
Surname Forename Gender Year Ref RD Name
MCMORLAND JOHN BRUCE M 1883 646/3 1639 Partick
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His death:
Surname First name(s) Age District Vol Page
Deaths Dec 1932 (>99%)
McMorland John B 50 Axminster 5b 10
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From the Western Times of Fri 9 Dec 1932:
OVERDOSE OF MORPHIA
Doctor’s Death in East Devon
Open Verdict at Inquest
Drug-Taking as result of war sickness
--------
An open verdict was returned by Mr C.N. Tweed, Coroner for East Devon, at the adjourned inquest held at Seaton Town Hall Wednesday on Dr John Bruce McMorland, 49, of Brooklands, Colyton, who died in a nursing home on Nov 22nd.
At the previous hearing evidence was given that dec eased, who suffered from dysentry and malaria contracted during the war, was in the habit of taking morphia in tablet form. On Nov 21st Mrs McMorland, the wife, was with him at home, being absent from him for 40 minutes at tea time, and on returning found him lying in a semi-conscious condition on the floor. Dr. Simpson, his partner, and Dr Davy were called.
The Coroner had adjourned the inquest until Wednesday for the analysis of certain organs of the body by the County Analyst.
Richard John Hunt, in the employ of Dr Burton, of Chelstom, Torquay, said he was formerly employed as a chauffeur by deceased for eight years. On Nov 21st Dr McMorland gave him instructions to have his car ready by 5 p.m. Deceased appeared to be normal and did not seem to be worried.
The Coroner: Do you know that he has been worried?
Witness: Yes, over his health and about leaving Colyton. He did not like to leave the town.
Witness, proceeding, said he waited outside, and as the doctor did not come he went upstairs and found him lying on the floor near the doorway, groaning, or making a slight noise, as though he wanted something. By his side was a bag, and it looked as if he had been packing it. In it were some bottled.
Dr Simpson said the symptoms in deceased were consistent with death from poisoning by morphine.
The Coroner: You also said that deceased indicated to you that he had taken morphia?
Witness: By signs I gathered that he had.
Witness also stated that he found in deceased’s pocket a hypodermic syringe.
The Coroner, in summing up, said there was no doubt that deceased had been suffering considerable pain, and that he sought relief from it by the injections of morphia. About three or four months ago Dr Simpson ascertained that deceased had been taking this course for a considerable time. Dr Simpson, who had been in partnership with deceased, very properly tried to persuade him not to take so much and eventually the dose was reduced to a third of the original dose per day. Dr Simpson said he had no knowledge of his having taken any in the month prior to his death. Mrs McMorland corroborated, though she said she knew her husband was in the habit of taking morphia.
The Coroner continued that he had no doubt in his mind that the deceased was what might be called a morphia addict. It was stated by the widow that deceased had been worried by financial matters, but that he was not being pressed. It was also clear that he was worried at the idea of having to move from Colyton to Sidbury. A post-mortem examination which had been made was abortive so far as ascertaining whether there was any morphia in the system was concerned, and he sent certain organs of the body to be analysed, but this analysis did not reveal very much. His object in having the organs analysed was the hope that he might ascertain whether the morphia was of such an excessive amount that it would have been obvious to the deceased, who was a doctor, that he was taking an overdose. He had not obtained that information from the analysis. In view, however, of the evidence of Dr Simpson, and the discovery of the hypodermic syringe, he came to the conclusion that the deceased died of an overdose of morphia, but that there was not sufficient evidence to lead him to conclude that the deceased intended to take the overdose, or that he committed suicide. On the other hand, he was not prepared definitely to rule this out. He therefore returned an open verdict, that the deceased died from an overdose of morphia, but whether is was accidental or intentional, there was not sufficient evidence to show. He was quite satisfied that Dr Simpson did everything he possibly could to try to prevent the deceased taking morphia.
In conclusion, the Coroner expressed his sincere sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.
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Will notes for Dr John Bruce M'Morland MB, ChB
His probate index:
McMORLAND John Bruce of Colyton Devonshire died 22 November 1932 Probate London 28 January to Evelyn De Courcy McMorland widow. Effects £6711 4s. 11d.
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McMORLAND John Bruce of Colyton Devonshire died 22 November 1932 Probate London 28 January to Evelyn De Courcy McMorland widow. Effects £6711 4s. 11d.
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Notes for John Bruce & Evelyn de Courcy (Family)
Their marriage:
Surname First name(s) District Vol Page
Marriages Sep 1911 (>99%)
De Courcy Hamilton Evelyn Guildford 2a 193
Hamilton Evelyn de C Guildford 2a 193
McMorland John B Guildford 2a 193
Surname First name(s) District Vol Page
Marriages Sep 1911 (>99%)
De Courcy Hamilton Evelyn Guildford 2a 193
Hamilton Evelyn de C Guildford 2a 193
McMorland John B Guildford 2a 193