An inquest into the death of a pensioner saw discussion of a legal issue about when, exactly, someone is recorded to have died officially.

Leonard Carey, who was well known on the Shepway estate in Maidstone for flying either a Union flag or a Cross of St George from a flagpole in the garden of his home in Suffolk Road, died in Maidstone Hospital last month.

Patriotic Mr Carey, a retired lorry driver, was 75 and had a number of pre-existing medical problems and had been taking warfarin for a heart condition.

He had been admitted to Maidstone Hospital on the morning of October 4 after ambulance crews found him unresponsive and with a "right facial droop."

A CT scan determined that had an extensive non-operable arterial haematoma and he was prescribed end-of-life care.

Doctor Hannah Bridgewater recorded his death on Thursday, October 8.

After hearing written evidence from several doctors who had attended him, the coroner Bina Patel, drew the conclusion his death had been the result of natural causes.

But when she came to check Mr Carey's personal details with his widow Alice Carey, Mrs Carey disputed that her husband had died on October 8.

She told the coroner she had received a call from the hospital on the evening of Wednesday, October 7, telling her that she should go in, but when she arrived shortly after 10pm her husband had already passed away.

After checking her files, the coroner said the explanation was that he had not been seen by a doctor and declared dead until the next day. She explained that someone was not officially dead until a medical professional said so.

So Miss Patel said she would be recording October 8 as the date of death on the death certificate.

Mr Carey used to fly the Union flag in memory of his father, Frederick Carey, who had signed up at 17 and served with the Royal West Kents in the First World War.

Mr Carey senior was gassed and also hit with shrapnel during the Battle of Ypres and suffered all his life as a result.

Speaking in 2014 about his father, Mr Carey said: "He was just 17 when he enlisted. He fought at Ypres and was gassed at Hill 60. While he was carried back to the field hospital a shell exploded close by and he was hit by the shrapnel.

"He lived until 1972, but he suffered all his life.

"He used to tell me stories, but I'm ashamed to say that as a youngster I sometimes thought he was telling me tall tales.

"Particularly when he said that under a gas attack, they had to pee on a rag and hold it to their faces.

"It wasn't till I visited for myself and the guide told me the same story, I realised he had been telling the truth.

"It's terrible - the things he and his comrades suffered for their country."

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