PLYING OFFICER'S DEATH

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21085, 9 February 1934, Page 3

PLYING OFFICER'S DEATH

CHRIST'S COLLEGE OLD BOY ("OH OUH OWX CORSESPONDEKT.) LONDON, December 2. . An inquest into the death of the New Zealand airman, Flying Officer Ronald R. Murphy, who was killed when he crashed in a fog last .Friday, was held at Hornchurch Aerodrome. Charles Henry West, a ploughman, of Shenfield, said that lie heard two machines flying around, but could not see them because it was so foggy. He saw a machine hit the ground and roll over and over for about 100 yards. When the wreckage came to a stop he saw the pilot hurtle through the air into the next field.

Police-Sergeant Brewer said that the engine was found some 30 yards from the rest of the wreckage, and the body of the pilot was found 50 yards further than that—Bo yards from the wreckage. Mr C. E. Lewis (the coroner) said he lived nearly, and that he in his garden at the time,. "I,could hear one aeroplane, which appeared to me to be trying to find out where it was, and it was uncomfortably close to us." The coroner added that the machine appeared to have left the ground in perfect order and the probability was that the accident was caused by the unfortunate weather conditions.

The jury returned a verdict that Mr Murphy died from multiple injuries due to the crash, and that he met his death by misadventure. Full Military Honours,

The funeral took place at Hornchurch cemetery to-day, with full military honours. The procession of officers and men was formed about a mile from the church. Service was held at the church, and at the graveside "Last Post" and "Reveille" were souhded by the bugler, and three volleys were fired. Each officer in order of seniority saluted and withdrew.

Mr V. G. Housden represented the High Commissioner, and Mr and Mrs Hal Williams were also present. Flying Officer Murphy was an old boy of Christ's College, of which school Mr Williams is also an old boy. BAND CONCERT The following programme was played by Derry's Miiltary Band at the city rotunda yesterday:—March, "The Thin Red Line" (Alford); selection, "The Gondoliers" (Sullivan); valse, "Irene" (Raymond); march, "Invercargill" (Lithgow); hymn, "Angel's Hymn" (arr. Hume); intermezzo, "Hypatia" (Ord Hume); American sketch, "Down South" (Middleton); march, "The Vanished Army" (Alford). RETURNED SOLDIERS' SOCIAL The "free and easy" socials which the Returned Soldiers' Association have held for some years past in the lounge at the association's rooms were opened for this season last night. They will be held weekly from now on and collections will be taken up during the evening to defray expenses.