Ernest Bennett son of Henry Hocken of Rewala, porter on W C Railway, and Lavinia (baptismal record)
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In 1891 Ernest Hocken, aged 13, born in Queens Town America, printer's apprentice, was with his parents 54 High St., Penzance, Cornwall.
In 1901 Ernest B. Hocken, aged 24, compositor, and brother Herbert B. Hocken, aged 19, grocery clerk, both single, were boarding at 14 Harriet Rd., Islington, London.
In 1911 Ernest Bennett Hocken, aged 33, born in United States (British subject by parentage), compositor, and wife of 8 years Mary Ethel Hocken, aged 32, born in Hayle Cornwall (mother of 2 children) were living at 53 Cavendish Rd., Harringay, London. With them were children (born in London Middlesex) Theresa Rosevear Hocken (4), Henry Douglas Hocken (2), and cousin Tom Hocking (23) of Oxford, compositor.
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HARINGAY MAN'S SUICIDE ON THE LINE.
At Wood Green on Tuesday an inquest was held on Ernest Bennett Hocken, aged 39, compositor, of Cavendish-road, Harringay, whose body was discovered on the Great Northern main line, near the new Southgate end of the Wood Green tunnel, on Thursday morning in last week. Engine-driver Day, of Holloway, said he discovered the body on the line. The head had been completely severed, and had rolled three or four feet away from the trunk.
P.c. Patman stated that he searched the body. He handed to the Coroner some scraps of paper found in the pockets. On the back of a bill was written, "Please communicate with Herbert Hocken, Electric Wire Co., Playhouse-yard," followed by a few words which the Coroner could not decipher, but which looked like: "Ignorance . . . nobody loves me." On another of the pieces of paper was written, "I have never been told how to conduct married life. I did not know I was in the wrong. God forgive me; it is unbearable." Another slip contained a reference to the Rev. J. H. Hocking, of Bournemouth. He had also written : "I did not want to be a burden. I heard mother say, "Shall we send to-night?" "I Ernest Bennet Hocken, leave everything to my dear wife—house, War loan £5, and money in Post Office. Don't grieve, Ethel, it was not your fault. I did not want to be any more trouble. I feel my brain going, but not my body. Could not stand it any longer. Brain giving way. Love from Ernest."
Mr. Herbert Hocken, brother of the deceased, said the latter had been in a nervous state for many months. There had been no actual indications of insanity or suicidal tendencies until the last ten days. For a long time deceased was distressed over the recruiting, and thought he might have to leave his wife and two children, with whom he was perfectly happy. After he had been examined and rejected, instead of that comforting him it only increased his worry. The explosion in January also upset him, and he had an appointment to see a doctor about his nerves, but he would not go. On Wednesday afternoon his wife suggested that he should call the children in to tea, and he went out and never returned again. He had often walked the streets till midnight in the hope that physical tiredness would produce sleep. There was no trouble whatever. Nothing but a nervous breakdown caused him to be depressed.
A verdict of "Suicide while of unsound mind" was returned.
Hornsey Journal, Friday, 23 Feb 1917, p. 5
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Ernest Bennett Hocken of 53 Cavendish-road Harringay Middlesex died 15 February 1917 on Great Northern Railway Wood Green Middlesex. Probate London 29 March to Herbert Bennett Hocken, commercial clerk. Effects £269 0s. 4d. 4
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