Born 18 Mar 1882 • Failsworth, Lancashire, Son of William Henry Burns (1861-1920) and Ann Hanley (1855-1926), of 10, Norman Street, Failsworth, Manchester. Enlisted at Ashton-under-lyne, Lancashire. Served with the 3rd Manchester Regiment,
Convicted by Court Martial . Died in prison at HMP Hull Buried Hull Hedon Road Cemetery.
(Hull Evening News, 21 March 1918): The inquest was resumed at the Hull Law Courts this afternoon on William Edward Burns (35), who died in the Hull gaol whilst undergoing a sentence of two years’ imprisonment passed upon him at court martial at Cleethorpes last November. It is stated! that Burns, who was Weaver and belonged to Failsworth, Lancashire, was a conscientious objector and had adopted the hunger strike at the gaol. At the last hearing the Governor (Mr Alfred Hughesdon) gave evidence of identification. He stated that the deceased was received into the prison on November 16th. 1917. He died at 1.40 0 a.m. on March 14th. ‘The Coroner: In the infirmary? Witness: No.
OFFENCE AT CLEETHORPES. Continuing. The Governor said that the was convicted by A district court martial at disobeying Cleethorpes, a on lawful November command given by a superior officer in the execution of his office, and sentenced to two years’ hard labour. The Coroner decided to take no further evidence, but to adjourn in order that a post mortem examination might he made by Dr Howlett. The Medical Officer of the prison, and Dr W. H. Pigeon, as an un he thought best in the public interest.
official doctor, for certain a reason which Mr W. H. Owen (instructed by Mr W. J. Stuart) appeared for the relatives of the deceased.
Dr T. C. Jackson appeared for the Prison Commissioners. Sir James Reckitt, was amongst those present.
STARVATION THREATS. The Governor stated that the deceased to the time of his death.
DEATH A DELIVERER. Replying to Mr Owen, the Governor said was examined on admission by Dr Howlett. and certified to be in good health. When put to labour he refused, and threatened neither to eat nor to work.
He carried out his threat not to work, but he did not carry out the other part of his threat. The reason he gave for refusing to work was The Government won’t find work for me outside, so I see no reason for doing it inside.” Witness ordered him three days No. 1 diet, a loss of prison privileges, and a forfeiture of 84 remission marks, which would have detained him in prison for 11 days. Witness said it was within his power to order that punishment. Deceased then worked well up to March 8th when gave taking food.
The only reason he gave was that he was doing it to get out of prison.
FORCIBLE FEEDING. On the 10th Dr Howlett informed witness that he considered forcible feeding was necessary, and he gave him a certificate that he was physically fit for such treatment. He was forcibly fed twice a day on the 11th. 12th, and 13th.
He died on the 14th. Deceased did not complain to witness that he was being artificially fed, although he had opportunities of doing 90 On the 13th the doctor mentioned to from pneumonia. A prison nurse was witness that the deceased was, suffering with the deceased from 2 p.m. on the 13th in consequence of a letter written by the deceased to a young lady in February, in which he complained of the state of his health, he drew the doctor’s attention to the letter, The doctor certified that he was in good health. Mr Owen quoted from a subsequent letter, in which deceased said he was not getting pessimistic, but he felt at times that death was the great deliverer in more ways than one.
In another letter deceased said he felt that something was having an effect on him physically. said deceased could have seen the doctor any day and every day if he wished. He maintained his weight. Witness said it was reported to him on the 11th that the man’s life was in danger. and he reported the fact to Home Office by telegram.
He went to the man’s cell and tried to persuade him to take food. The man died the following day. Replying to Dr Jackson. the Governor said all the orders were duly complied with. Supper at 7.30 p.m. on March 7th, was the man’s last voluntary meal.
