He was said to be William Harcourt, a native of Twyford, but was referred to as "Twycross," which is a village in Leicestershire, not too far from Tamworth.
...."Patriotism is undoubtedly a noble sentiment, but in its most popular phases it seems to be somewhat dangerous to persons whose mental balance is not of the soundest. During the recent holidays tbe people of Tamworth noticed a diminutive figure dressed in a suit of khaki, with regulation "putties" and slouch hat, strutting about the streets, apparently without any definite object in view. Eventually his vagaries brought him under the notice of the police, and a medical examination showed that he was insane. He appears to have possessed a phonograph, which played, among other popular tunes, "The Absent-minded Beggar." Whether it was the war fever, coupled with too much of the injunction to "Pay, pay, pay," which turned his brain it is difficult to say, but it is significant of the ruling passion which has taken possession of him that since his removal to Burntwood Asylum he requested the workhouse master to forward his musical instrument "with a charge of lyddite behind it to make it come quickly." The experience of this "gentleman in khaki" seems to indicate that even patriotic fervour ought to be indulged in only in moderation."
————
.
"A GENTLEMAN IN KHAKI."
....The Master reported
[to the Tamworth Board of Guardians] that the young man named William Harcourt, a native of Twyford, who had been in the town, dressed in a khaki suit, exhibiting a phonograph, had become insane, and had been removed to Burntwood Asylum. His instrument was left with an innkeeper, who refused to give it up until he was paid 6/-, which the owner owed for board and lodgings. He (the Master) had paid the money and had got the instrument. It played all the latest popular tunes, including "The Absent Minded Beggar," and he had used it to entertain the inmates. It was worth about £6. He had since received a letter from Harcourt, asking him to send on the instrument and to "put a charge of lyddite behind it so that he would get it quickly"—(laughter).—The Clerk said the innkeeper was entitled to keep the instrument until the money was paid. The Guardians, of course, had power to take charge of all the property of a lunatic who was under their care.—The Board directed that the 6/- should be repaid to the Master, and instructed him to retain the instrument for the present.
The Tamworth Herald, Saturday 13th January 1900
.
.
....The Gentleman in Khaki.—The Stafford Board of Guardians have decided to apply for the removal of Twycross, the "gentleman in khaki" who became insane whilst exhibiting a phonograph at Tamworth, from Burntwood to Stafford Asylum, so that he will be near his friends. They have further ordered the expenses of the Tamworth Guardians be paid, and that application be made for the return of Twycross's phonograph. We understand that the Stafford Guardians will be satisfied with the ordinary means of transit for the instrument, so that the charge of lyddite which the owner desired to be used may be dispensed with.
The Tamworth Herald, Saturday 27th January 1900
It was reported two weeks later that it had been agreed to transfer "Twycross" and the phonograph to Stafford Asylum.
