Fatal Gas Leak

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1926: The fracture of the gas main in Westwood Street had a fatal sequel this weekend. On this Saturday Thomas Ladds, the licensee of the Three Tuns in Westwood Street, noticed a strong smell of gas apparently coming from the street. During the morning, his customers complained of the odour. One came over faint in the taproom and was taken home in Ladds' car. At the evening opening, he again noticed a strong smell of gas. During the evening his assistant Mr Sam Bray and the maid were both taken ill, and a customer, Mr William Ball, was so overcome by the fumes that he fell down in the yard and cut his head. Still nothing was done about it. On Sunday morning, corporation employee Julius Kebball came on duty. About two hour later he heard people knocking at a door; they were concerned about the occupant, as they could get no reply. Kebball smashed the door open with a pickaxe and found the elderly lady lying dead on her chair-bed, Witnesses at Monday's inquest reported noticing the smell for a fortnight. Dr H. Clapham said indications were quite consistent with death from coal gas poisoning and the jury returned a verdict of 'accidental death due to gas poisoning'. (Stamford Mercury)

Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.

Death of Variety Star Nosmo King

1949

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Mr Vernon Watson was born in Thorney in 1885, in his youth, a clerk at Barclays Bank in Peterborough. His interest in the stage began with performances at smoking concerts and when, in 1911, he appeared at the old Empire, Leicester Square, he became an overnight success. He took part in many subsequent productions there and as a single turn on the music halls.

At first he relied entirely on his voice in his imitations of the popular comedians of the day. His imitation of Wilkie Bard - exact in every way - was as remarkable a piece of virtuosity as the variety stage has produced. Among his favourite subjects were Harry Champion, Fred Emney and Frank Tunney. His stage name Nosmo King was inspired by seeing two open doors at a music hall which had split the notice 'No Smoking' into Nosmo King. He was later assisted by 'Hubert' - his son (Petty Officer Jack Watson)

He appeared at the Embassy in Peterborough in April 1947 as Colonel Blimp in a G.I. Bride farce 'For the Fun of it'

Though it was 39 years since he had been a clerk at Barclays, he still remembered his old friends in and around Peterborough.

Mr Watson died at his home in Chelsea on January 13th 1949. His funeral was held at Thorney Abbey and he is buried at Thorney cemetery, with 'Nosmo King' on his headstone.

Reference:

Peterborough Archives