The Newcastle Daily Chronicle 09/10/1916 reports :-Deputy Coroner Newby held an inquest into the death of Karel Verees a Belgian who died at the Workhouse Infirmary from a wound in the abdomen inflicted by a bayonet. A brawl arose at Seaton Carew and a constable considering the situation dangerous and that he was incapable of coping with it single handed asked for assistance and the military came to the constable's aid. During the disturbance the Belgian was injured. The jury after hearing the evidence returned a verdict that death was due to a wound inflicted by a soldier in self defence in endeavouring to quell a dangerous mob.

The Belgians were working at the Zinc Works at Seaton Carew.