A TRAGIC tale unfolded at an inquest 100 years ago, when the coroner's jury had to rule on the suicide of a Malvern man.

Dresden-born Oswald Wachter, a master of modern languages at Malvern College, had been found dead at his Abbey Road home.

A cup with traces of potassium cyanide was found nearby and a letter in which Dr Wachter said: "I have voluntarily put an end to my suffering."

The inquest heard Dr Wachter, aged 66, had lost sight in one eye and feared for his job. He also suffered a painful disease and had been depressed.