On This Day, 13 August 1917

Birmingham Mail

Monday 13 August 1917

LOST MEMORY RECOVERED

EFFECT OF SISTER-IN-LAW’S VISIT

The man who lost his memory is now happy in the knowledge that he is no longer in doubt as to his identity. This has been absolutely established by the visit of a sister-in-law from Scotland, an interview this morning leading to mutual recognition. The man is Thomas Crombie (45), 4, Valentine Place, King Edward’s Street, Perth, a superintendent of insurance officers, who on Monday last left Perth, where he has a wife and three children.

The lady whose presence in Birmingham was the means of assisting Crombie to recollect himself is Mrs. Donaldson, 212, Beech Bury Terrace, Grimstone, Falkirk, an elder sister of Crombie’s wife. She arrived in Birmingham in the early hours of this morning, and later visited the Central Police Station, Newton Street, where in due course the man with the lost memory was expected arrive from the General Hospital, where his case bad been engaging the attention of the medical staff.

He swooned on seeing the lady, and had to be supported by an officer. When he had recovered he became aware of his identity, and though appeared be a little hazy at first facts gradually began to re-establish themselves.

There is but one short link in the chain that appears to be missing, and that was from the time of leaving Perth until shortly afterwards. Crombie has no recollection of having received any injury or shook, and can only explain his loss of memory to business worries.

The visit of Mrs. Donaldson was due to getting into touch with Scottish relatives through statements made the man when under an anaesthetic. His relatives state that when he left home on Monday last week it was understood that he was going on a business visit to the North of Scotland, and as his wife did not expect him back in Perth until Thursday no immediate concern was felt in regard to his whereabouts.