The Fatal Cavalry Charge.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 18, 16 October 1907, Page 11

The Fatal Cavalry Charge.

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST. An inquest was hold at Ramsbury, near Newbury, on the body of Private Henry Lewis, who was killed during the wild charge hetween Household Cavalry and 21st Lancors in the course of the manoeuvres on the' Berkshire downs. The evidence showed that both the contending forces made a dash for the top-of the hill and reached tho edgo simultaneously. When they wore about 100 yards apart they cha'rgod furiouslVj. men boing dragged and thrown from their' horses. Afterwards several wounded men wore lying on the ground. .Lewis received a fractured skull and died in tho field hospital at Ramsbury Park. Five other men aro in tho hospital, two or threo of them permanently injured. In all twenty men received injuries. ' < Phillip Morgan, shooing-smith of the 21st Lancors, said ho was riding immediately behind Lewis. They were with tho Maxim gun detachment galloping up tho hill in single filo. "On top wo turned sharply to tho right," he said, "and just as we turned wo saw a squadron of Guards. Wo all cheered. There' was no time for us to gallop away, and tho consequence was that they camo right on top of us, and Lewis was knocked down." Tho Coroner: Do you mean to say they charged you?—No, but thoy wero coming at a gallop. They could not rein up?—No, it was so much of a surprise to us. Were any orders given?—lf tliero had been wo should not have heard them. Tho jury returned a verdict of accidental death. ' '