Suicide pact of couple who f led to UK to escape Nazis
We’ve had a happy life and don’t want to bother family, they wrote
A COUPLE who came to Britain to escape the Nazis killed themselves in a suicide pact.
Colin and Alice Anson, who were 94 and 91, fell in love after meeting in a London cafe, an inquest heard.
They later pledged they would never be a burden on their family and took pills when they felt they were too infirm.
The tablets failed to kill them but brought on pneumonia which they died from in hospital.
In a suicide note they told their family: ‘We’ve had a long and happy life, what more could one expect?’
Born Claus Leopold Octavio Ascher in Berlin, Mr Anson escaped from the German capital on a Kindertransport train for unaccompanied children seeking sanctuary. His father Curt had been an early political opponent of the Nazis and was imprisoned at Dachau where he died in 1937 aged 54.
Mr Anson joined the Royal Marine Commandos and took part in invasions of Sicily, mainland Italy and the Greek islands.
His wife – from a secular Jewish family in Vienna – also reached Britain via the Kindertransport network in 1938.
Their cafe encounter came after the war. The ensuing romance led to the birth of two daughters and a son.
They told their neighbours in Watford that they would take their own lives if they felt unable to look after themselves.
That moment came on June 13, 2016, when they took more than 30 tablets.
Their suicide note saud: ‘The pills were given to us by a doctor’s widow who died three years ago, knowing we would not
‘Don’t want to hang around suffering’
misuse them.’ It added that they did not want to ‘hang around suffering and bothering the family we love’.
When they realised the pills were not working Mrs Anson phoned an ambulance for help.
‘She reported her and her husband had a joint suicide attempt and needed assistance,’ Detective Sergeant Ian Siggery told Hatfield Coroner’s court.
‘Paramedics found the front door closed but unlocked, they entered the address and found both Alice and Colin sat in their marital bed. They tended to both patients, and also contacted Hertfordshire Constabulary.’
The couple were taken to Watford General Hospital in separate ambulances, where treatment was started to counteract the drugs. However, the slow-release tablets caused respiratory difficulties.
Post-mortem examinations found both died from pneumonia caused by an overdose – Mrs Anson on June 16 and Mr Anson on June 27.
Mr Siggery told the inquest police did not suspect they were coerced into their deaths and he felt they decided to do it together. ‘They were described as having a very happy, close marriage and enjoyed their quality of life,’ he said.
‘They made no secret of the fact if they were unable to support themselves they would take their lives into their own hands. It was clear they were very proud people and have a very loving family with children and grandchildren.
‘They paid for their own funerals in their advance and made no secret of it, even telling neighbours. I am also satisfied they did the act with the intention of bringing about the end of their lives.’
Hertfordshire Coroner Geoffrey Sullivan recorded suicide verdicts.
Mrs Anson became a volunteer in the UK and was heavily involved with Women’s Aid which she continued to support into her 90s.
Mr Anson became a warehouse manager and the couple had a family together. For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or go to samaritans.org