He shot the butler

[g forgeron]

I'm trying to find out more about the circumstances which led to Sir Charles William Cayzer shooting his butler then himself in February 1944. Does anyone know where I can find such information on line?

[stanmapstone]

Sir Charles William Cayzer, Unionist M.P. for the City of Chester, died at his home, Kinburnie Castle, Forfarshire, 18th February 1940. Is this the person, or somebody else?

Stan

[*Sandra*]

Short extract -

The Scotsman Midlothian, Scotland
20 Feb 1940

SIR C . CAYZER'S DEATH ? Result of Shooting Tragedy BUTLER ALSO KILLED
the result of a shooting tragedy at the castle . There were two victims of the tragedy , Sir Charles and his butler , Benjamin Wexham . About one o ' clock other servants heard a report in the butler ' s pantry , and shortly afterwards there was another.................

https://www.GenesReunited.co.uk/searchbna/results?memberlastsubclass=none&searchhistorykey=0&keywords=benjamin%20wexham

Daily Record Lanarkshire, Scotland
19 Feb 1940

BARONET
shots rapidly fol- lowing each other led to the discovery yesterday of Sir Charles Cayzer, Bart., M.P., and his butler, Benjamin Wexham, lying dead in the butler’s pantry at Kilpurnie Castle, New-tyle, Angus. Both men haul been shot in the head. Sir Charles.............

https://www.GenesReunited.co.uk/searchbna/results?memberlastsubclass=none&searchhistorykey=0&keywords=benjamin%20wexham&from=1900&to=1949

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer West Yorkshire, England
20 Feb 1940

M.P. AND BUTLER SHOT DEAD It became known yesterday that Sir Charles Cayzer. M.P. for the City of Chester, whose
with his butler, in the butler's pantry, Kinpurnie Castle, Angus, the home Sir Charles. Both Sir Charles and his butler, Benjamin Wexham, a Londoner, had died from gunshot wounds the head. Two shots, one quickly after the other, brought members of the domestic..............

https://www.GenesReunited.co.uk/searchbna/results?memberlastsubclass=none&searchhistorykey=0&keywords=benjamin%20wexham&from=1900&to=1949

Sandra

[ShaunJ]

         
"Sir Charles, together with his butler, was found dead as a result of bullet wounds at his home
on 18 February 1940.  It appears that Sir Charles killed the butler and then committed suicide.
The following report is taken from the 'Manchester Guardian' of 20 February 1940:-   
          
'It is now known that Sir Charles Cayzer, Conservative M.P. for Chester, whose death was
reported in the "Manchester Guardian" yesterday, was found shot with his butler in the butler's
pantry at his home, Kinpurnie Castle, Angus. Both men had died from gunshot wounds in the
head.         
          
'It is stated that members of the domestic staff heard two shots. On investigation they found
the butler, who was a London man named Benjamin Wexham, lying outstretched in one corner
of the pantry, while Sir Charles lay by the open door with a double-barrelled gun between his
knees. It was subsequently established that the gun had been taken from the gunroom, which
is opposite the pantry.         
          
'Sir Charles and Lady Cayzer had been out walking on the estate before the tragedy. During
the walk they met Sir Charles' head gamekeeper, to whom Sir Charles gave instructions   
concerning some work which he wished carried out on the estate.      
          
'Some months ago Sir Charles suffered a nervous breakdown, but at the outbreak of war,
having formerly been a lieutenant in the 19th Hussars, he offered his services to the War Office
and was commissioned. Shortly afterwards he resigned on account of the state of his health.'"

http://archive.li/c4zI#selection-24583.0-25016.0