SUDDEN DEATH OF SOLDIER

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23412, 20 August 1941, Page 6

SUDDEN DEATH OF SOLDIER

COMMENTS MAE* Aft INQUEST MEDICAL EXAMINATION QUESTIONED “I was astonished that this man should have been passed in his medical test as fit for service," said Dr. A. B. Pearson, pathologist at the Christchurch Public Hospital, giving evidence at an inquest yesterday into the death of John Henry Knowles. Knowles, who was a polish manufacturer, aged 51, of 171 River road, Avonside, collapsed and died while he was on manoeuvres as a member of the National Military Reserve on Scarborough Hill. Dr. Pearson made his statement in answer to questions from the Coroner, Mr E. C. Lewey, S.M. The post-mor-tem examination had shown that Knowles had been suffering from degeneration of the arteries of the heart. His condition was such, Dr. Pearson said, that it was astonishing that he should have been passed for posting to a unit. , A , Francis Moran Woods, metal polisher, of Jubilee avenue. New Brighton, gave evidence that on Sunday, July 13, he was accompanying Kno.wles as a member of a National Military Reserve unit which began walking to Taylor’s Mistake over the hills from Evans Pass. After a climb lasting about 20, minutes on one hill, the unit stopped' for a spell at the top. While they were halted Knowles remarked that he found it fairly hard going and said ( he was very nearly going to give up that climb as he had been short of breath. He did not complain of feeling ill, and after a spplLof about five , minutes he said he was all right. Soon afterwards he fell forward and died.

Alexander Mclvor Brosnan, car electrician, Of Westminster street, St. Albans, said he was platoon officer of the signalling section of the 3rd Battalion, National Military Reserve,*-, which was carrying out the manoeuvres. At 11.55 a.m. the unit halted. ! He spoke to Knowles, who soon afterwards fell forward. Witness felt hi«. ■ pulse and realised that he was dead. ■ He had not complained to witness that > he felt ill and he did not say . that",i; the climbing had been too severe. , To the Coroner,' Brosnan said; that ... men were medically examined befort, , they wore posted to units in the Nav ■' tional Military Reserve. -if The Coroner: I have the pathologist’*-, report here, you see, and a rather extraordinary position has cropped up. , Your office files-should show the find- f ings of the medical examination. •’ • Brosnan said that-if the medical r«- L ' ports showed that a man was not fit he would not have been posted to a , unit. The reports must have shown Knowles as fit if he was put on the unit’s strength. Dr. Pearson submitting a report of a post-mortem examination said that the cause of death was heart failure due to myocarditis brought on by degeneration of the arteries of the heart; c To a question from the Coroner he said ? he understood that tlje men entering the National Military Reserve had to undergo a rigid medical examination. It was astonishing to, him that Knowles should have passed. The Coroner: I understand he would ‘ not have passed for ordinary life.... The Coroner asked Dr. Pearson whether it was his considered opinion that Knowles should not have been posted to a unit. ' , t . “I will say I, am astonished that he should have been,” said Dr. Rearson.

“Well that’s as strong as one can ask,” said the Coroner. “In view of Dr. Pearson’s statement I make no comment whatsoever.” A verdict was returned of deaQl from heart failure.