He found a human skull in coal shed

A HUMAN skull, wrapped in paper, was found by a man in his coal shed on Tuesday.
The skull, thought to be that of a woman or child, was discovered by Mr. Jack Dann, London Road, Mitcham, while he was clearing away rubbish in his shed behind the Eveline Tea Rooms. The parcel, loosely tied with string, was among some billiard cues, firewood and old sacks.

“ When I picked it up I imagined it was an old rugger ball, but through the paper wrapping I could see some teeth protruding,” said Mr. Dann. “ At first I thought it was animal’s skull.” Mr. Dann, who was a male nurse in the Royal Army Medical Corps, examined it more closely and realised it was a human skull.

The skull, which has a dent in the top, has been taken to Tooting police this week.

The piles of rubbish had been put temporarily in the coal-shed by local builders who were decorating a small storage room.

When they distempered the inside of the building that had been blackened by a fire last year, they found the rubbish stacked in a cavity in the wall.

Note: More than 50 years ago, there was a famous murder in Prospect Road, near the cafe. The name was then changed to Eveline Road.

Source: Mitcham News & Mercury, 8th March, 1957

Skull still not identified

The identity and age of the skull found in a coal shed by a Mitcham man has not yet been determined.

The skull, which was handed to a coroner’s court after being found by Mr Jack Dann, London Road, is still being examined.

“It may be used for medical purposes or destroyed,” said a policeman.

Source: Mitcham News & Mercury, 15th March, 1957