A WAR veteran was found dead at his Newport home a day after the D-Day landings’ 70th anniversary, an inquest heard.

Arthur John Workman was found lying at the bottom of the stairs by his neighbour on June 7 last year. June 6, 2014, marked 70 years since the Allied invasion of Normandy that began the invasion of German-occupied western Europe.

Two blue air force uniforms were later found laid out on the landing banister rail by police officers. The unmarried, former car mechanic had turned 90 years old earlier that week.

Gwent Coroners Court, sitting in Newport, heard Mr Workman’s sister had also died in March last year and was his closest living relative.

The court heard a statement from his cousin, Audrey Grace Bolt, who said Mr Workman was somewhat of a “recluse” and would not allow district nurses into his home despite having been hospitalised after a fall a few weeks before his death.

Evidence was also heard from a police constable, who visited Mr Workman’s home on June 7 last year after being alerted by a worried neighbour who had entered the house, having not seen Mr Workman for nearly two days.

The officer said it appeared the Second World War veteran had tried to hang himself but the cable had split causing Mr Workman to fall and hit the back of his head. There was no evidence of any third party involvement and no suspicious circumstances.

A post-mortem examination showed Mr Workman had died as a result of a brain haemorrhage and skull fracture, and blood trauma to the back of the head from a fall.

Wendy James, deputy coroner of Gwent, said Mr Workman’s health was beginning to fail, and he was “reflecting on his situation” more than usual due to the death of his sister, the fact he had just turned 90, and due to the D-Day anniversary.

Ms James said she was satisfied from the evidence put before her that Mr Workman had intended to end his own life. She recorded a verdict of suicide.