Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 17 October 1919.

GRUESOME DISCOVERY IN IGHTHAM WOOD.

Body of workman missing since July.

Mr. A. H. Neve (Coroner) held an inquest at the “Plough Inn,” Ightham (Ivy Hatch), on Tuesday, relative to the death of Fred Funniss, Coley, a labourer, aged 50 years.

The brother, George William Coley, of Chart Sutton, gave evidence of identification, but said he could give no reason why deceased should be found in the wood.

Florence Edith Jacobs, wife of the licensee of the "Plough," said she had known deceased for eight years. He lived at the house, and was moderate in his drink, and usually went to bed at 9.30 or 10 p.m. On July 21st he went out at 10.10 a.m., and returned at 12.30. He went out again a few minutes afterwards, not saying where he was going. He had never been out late like that before. When he returned at 2.30 a.m. she said, "Oh Fred, you are cold and wet. I should go to bed." he replied:- "Yes, I am," and went in the direction of his bedroom. She asked him to lock the door, which had been left open for him. He said he would and wished her "Good-night." He went up stairs and she did not see him again. She also went to bed. At 6.15 the following morning her husband took deceased a cup of tea. The bed had been slept in, but deceased was not there. He put on his working clothes. They thought he might have gone to work on a new job. On Wednesday, July 23rd, his working coat was found down stairs. They began to get anxious and informed the police. Deceased had been out of work for three weeks. He was quiet and seemed not to care for him as a man who would make away with himself.

William Jacobs, licensee of the "Plough," said he had returned from the Army seven weeks. Deceased stayed at the house with witness’s permission, and they looked on him as a brother. They did not charge him for bed and lodging.

William Carter Coakes, 12, High Street, Borough Green, dairyman, said that on Saturday, October, 11th, at 3.30, he was driving towards Ivy Hatch and had occasion to go into Ivy Hatch Wood, and there saw what appeared to be the remains of a man lying on his back on the ground about 12 to 15 yards away from the road. he informed the police.

Dr. Walker deposed to examining the body where it lay in the wood. There was no sign of struggle and no marks of violence or foul play. he attributed death to natural causes - apparently he had been asleep. The man had suffered from rheumatic fever, which had probably brought on heart disease.

P.C. Baker said he had searched the wood near the spot of the body, but found nothing to throw any light on the man's death.

The Coroner returned a verdict of "Found Dead" but that it was impossible to ascertain how deceased came into that position.