The Times - 17 Jan 1959
LUDICROUS ' GENEROSITY OF DOCTOR
INQUEST ON MISS JOSE COLLINS'S HUSBAND
At an inquest at Walthamstow. Essex, yesterday, on Dr. Gerald Kirkland, aged 61, whose wife, Miss Jose Collins, died last month, Mr. H. H. Kenshole, the Coroner, recorded a verdict that he took his own life. His body was found in a gas-filled room at his home at Loughton, Essex, on Tuesday.
Mr. Derek Kirkland, of Lawrence Road, South Norwood. S.E.. said that his brother had about four days in bed over Christmas because of heart trouble. Asked by the Coroner if he understood his brother had experienced a good deal of financial worry recently, Mr. Kirkland said: "He did not discuss that with me but I knew he had financial worries. He was ludicrously generous."
Recording the verdict, the Coroner said: "He lost his wife about a month ago and that, coupled, perhaps, with other worries or other concerns, has led him to take his life." Referring to a note found beside the body, the Coroner said: "He speaks in a disparaging way of the act of suicide but makes it quite clear that that was his intention." His note certainly did not indicate any unsoundness of mind. '