SOLDIER SHOT BY SENTRY

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23739, 10 September 1942, Page 6

SOLDIER SHOT BY SENTRY

CORONER’S COMMENT AT INQUEST (P.A.) AUCKLAND, September 9. . In returning a verdict that a soldier, Colin Ernest Graham, aged 20, was accidentally shot by a fellow sentry, Thurlow Stanley Watson, aged 19, while the latter was loading a rifle, the Coroner (Mr F. K. Hunt) added the following rider: “The evidence shows that Watson was put on duty as a sentry without receiving the necessary training in such duty.” In evidence, Watson said that he was posted to a battle station on July 27. He had never received training in loading or unloading a rifle. Graham once showed him how to load the rifle. The Coroner: Had you fired a rifle before? Witness: No. Captain W. O. Hall, group commander of the battle station, said that Watson had received elementary training at a remedial camp, but his weapon training was almost nil. Every opportunity had been afforded to give weapon training. “We are instructed to give weapon training even before saluting,” Captain Hall added. The Coroner: I should think so. Captain Hall added that Watson had only been on the station a few days. No opportunity had been available to put him through a test. Continuing his evidence, *Watson said that while on patrol, at Graham’s suggestion they loaded their rifles, the witness being in a kneeling posture. Graham called out: “Slope arms.” The witness started to rise. There was a loud report, and Graham fell on his back and screamed. The witness ran along the beach and orought Private said that Graham was iSdfrSdaT 35 and Graham were