Herbert Edward COLLIER (1859-1922)

Herbert Edward Collier (1859-1922) was the business partner of Julius Sladden at Sladden & Co Brewery, Evesham.

Herbert Collier was born at Hackney, London, in 1859, the fifth of seven children of Vincent John Collier, an auctioneer and valuer, and his wife, Louisa (née Venden).  At the time of the 1861 census he lived with his family at Melksham Place, Hackney; by 1871, they had moved to Hove in Sussex.

Herbert became a brewer and was living in Abergavenny at the time of the 1881 census.  By October 1885, he was living at New Sleaford, Lincolnshire, when the local paper reported that he was sworn in on the Grand Jury.  He was still living at Sleaford on 9th June 1888 when he married Carrie Horatia Tong at St Mowden, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.

Shortly after marriage, the Colliers moved to Evesham where their only son, Vincent Henry, was born on 22nd March 1889.  It was about this time that Herbert Collier went into partnership with Julius Sladden of Sladden & Co Brewery.  The name was formally changed to Sladden & Collier.

In 1891, the Colliers lived at 3 North Terrace, Evesham, Herbert described as a brewer and wine merchant.  By 1901 they lived at Battenhall, Worcester, and in 1911 at Rose Bank, Worcester.  Herbert was described as Director of a brewery company.  During the First World War, they lived at Farnham House, Broadway.

Herbert Collier died at Rose Lawn, Worcester, on 13th August 1922.  A report in the Gloucestershire Chronicle of 19th August 1922 reveals that he committed suicide:  

EVESHAM BREWER’S SUICIDE
A verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind was returned at an inquet on Tuesday at Worcester n the body of Mr Herbert Edward Collier (63), managing director of Messrs Sladden & Collier, Brewers, Evesham, who ws found with his throat cut in the bath, a razor being near, at his house, Rose Lawn, London Road, Worcester.  Mrs Collier said her husband was highly nervous, and had a breakdown some time ago.  Dr W G Crowe said early this month Mr Collier was in a very depressed condition; he could hardly keep from weeping and feared he was going to have another long breakdown.

The Evesham Standard of the same date gave an account of the funeral but did not report on the suicide.

Herbert Collier’s widow, Carrie, died at The Savoy Hotel, Cheltenham, in December 1938.