PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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Mr W E J Major was the City of Plymouth Coroner for forty-six years, from 1933 until 1979. William Edward John Major was born in Plymouth on February 1st 1902 and attended Devonport High School for Boys, after which he was articled to Mr Percy T Pearce, solicitor. William was admitted as a solicitor in 1922 and went into partnership with Mr J A Pearce of St Aubyn Street, Devonport, who was then the City Coroner. He became deputy Borough Coroner in 1926 and was appointed Borough Coroner in 1933. He was only 31-years-old and was possibly the youngest solicitor to hold such an appointment. On June 21st 1935 he married Miss Florence Mary Tapper at Emmanuel Church, Mannamead, Plymouth. Mr Major had the grim task of dealing with the deaths during the Second World War, which, it is said, did nothing to dampen his wry sense of humour. He developed an extraordinary ability to conduct the sad and complicated inquests in a manner which wasted little time and was as painless as possible for the relatives of the deceased. Such was the esteem in which he was held that his legal colleagues held a special dinner in his honour in 1973. He retired as City of Plymouth Coroner in 1979. Mr William Edward John Major died on Wednesday February 11th 1981, at the age of 79. He was survived by his two sons, Mr John Major and Mr Neil Major, both of whom had followed him into the legal profession.
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