He was a Professor of Chemistry at Hong Kong University. He and his wife Ethel were billeted in Block 18 Room 15. He was aged fifty-nine at time of death. He suffered a coronary occlusion. "Rice grinding was tedious and for the elderly, an exhausting chore. In June 1944, Professor Byrne had the ultimate misfortune of dropping dead from a heart attack while grinding rice to make a cake for his 60th birthday." (Source: George Wright-Nooth). The Death Certificate mentions that he was grinding rice on the veranda outside the room. After a few minutes his friends heard him call out for help and they saw him collapse. He was placed on a bed and given First Aid. Doctor Milne soon arrived and ordered a stimulant be given. A short while later Doctor Montgomery arrived and announced life extinct.
Comments
Byrne, (Professor) George Thomas (2/6/1885 – 1/6/1944)
He was a Professor of Chemistry at Hong Kong University. He and his wife Ethel were billeted in Block 18 Room 15. He was aged fifty-nine at time of death. He suffered a coronary occlusion. "Rice grinding was tedious and for the elderly, an exhausting chore. In June 1944, Professor Byrne had the ultimate misfortune of dropping dead from a heart attack while grinding rice to make a cake for his 60th birthday." (Source: George Wright-Nooth). The Death Certificate mentions that he was grinding rice on the veranda outside the room. After a few minutes his friends heard him call out for help and they saw him collapse. He was placed on a bed and given First Aid. Doctor Milne soon arrived and ordered a stimulant be given. A short while later Doctor Montgomery arrived and announced life extinct.