22 SEPTEMBER 1984, Page 21

Wrong fatality

Sir: In his interesting article, Major Yeates. Rides On (15 September) Mr Stan Gebler Davies writes 'Violet Martin [Martin Ross] came off her horse in 1915 in pursuit of the hounds, and died of head injuries some days later.' To avoid the establishment of a legend without foundation, it should be Pointed out that the diaries for 1915 of her collaborator Edith Somerville show, in fact, that Martin Ross died from an inoper- able tumour on the brain which developed after a three months' illness. It might also

be mentioned that Major Yeates's house was called Shreelane rather than Shreelawn, and owes some of its features to Ross House, Co. Galway, the home of Martin Ross's family.

Violet Powell

The Chantry, Nr Frome, Somerset