Cancer agony made smallholder end his life (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Cancer agony made smallholder end his life

SMALLHOLDER Jim Wicks took his own life when pain from cancer became too much for him to bear, an inquest heard on Tuesday.

Mr Wicks, 81, was found hanging from a tree next to his allotment where he had spent much of his life at Wootton Rivers.

His death came just two and a half years after one of his sons, Bruce, 38, took his own life by lying in front of a train on the Paddington-Penzance line at Milkhouse Water.

Jim Wicks was born in Wootton Rivers and lived with his wife, Celia, and children at Cuckoo's Knob.

The inquest in Salisbury heard he left a number of letters to his family before taking his life on July 30.

He had been in increasing pain from cancer which had spread from his throat to abdominal lymph glands and, it was discovered at a post mortem examination, to his liver and pancreas.

Wiltshire Coroner, David Masters, read out one note that Mr Wick's son Colin found. It said: "Sorry, just can't go on. Jim".

On July 29 Mrs Wicks called police at about 9.45pm to say her husband was suffering with cancer and could no longer stand the pain. She was concerned because he had failed to return to their home.

A short search by officers discovered Mr Wicks' hat on a fence post.

PC Mark Fiander-Lewis said he believed the hat had been deliberately left as a marker by Mr Wicks.

Mr Masters read a statement from Oxford cancer consultant Dr Claire Blessing who said Mr Wicks had been referred to her last November from the Great Western Hospital, Swindon. He was suffering from cancer of the oesophagus.

He was offered radio therapy to help overcome a problem he had swallowing and received five treatments. In June after a further setback he was offered more treatment but warned it could have side effects.

She said he had never spoken of taking his own life.

The coroner recorded a verdict that Mr Wicks killed himself.

A keen gardener, Mr Wicks once experimented with growing a camomile lawn after learning that the Royal family had one at Windsor Castle. He was a frequent caller to local radio stations expounding his thoughts on local, national or international affairs on which he was remarkably knowledgeable. He was also a regular contributor to the letters page in the Gazette, never fearing to voice his sometimes-controversial views on life.