Paupers’ grave case that touched three families

Published: 23 June, 2011

• I EXTEND my sympathy to the family of Anthony Myers (Family sue over burial of ‘pauper’, June 16). 

It was with sadness and anger that I read of the family’s six-year fight for a hearing that finally acknowledged the cause of Anthony’s death. It was with sadness that I turned to page 6 and saw the photos of the three men, Anthony, Paul Startup and Fred Newman, who became linked in such an unfortunate way.  

Fred Newman, who lay as the obstacle to Anthony Myers’ remains being returned to his family, had also been let down by the system, that saw him detained in St Pancras Hospital on a section and submitted to repeated ECT treatment.  

I met one of Anthony’s brothers at the graveside the morning of the exhumation of the three men, when they came to say goodbye to the place that they had been visiting since they discovered Anthony’s temporary resting place. 

They had wanted to get in touch with Fred’s representative, but had been unsuccessful as others had chosen not to put all three families in touch. 

They told us Anthony’s story, and they knew then what had killed him.

It is shameful that the system has made them fight for six years to make the admission of the cause of death. 

CATHY POUND
Friend of Fred Newman
Address supplied