PLANE KILLS C.S.M.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1934, Page 9

PLANE KILLS C.S.M.

LAST WARNING CRY TO MEN. BRIGHTON, July 27, After shouting a. command to his men to fall flat on the ground to avoid an “enemy" air attack, Co. Sgt.-Major William George Outlaw was a second too late in dropping down himself. He was killed by one of the ’planes. The accident occurred to-day, on the eve of the breaking up of a Territorial-camp at Roedean, near Brighton. The 16rd Infantry Brigade had gone out for special training in coping with aircraft attack. “We were walking over the Downs in the direction of Telscombe, ’ said one of the Territorials, “when a scout gave warning that we were about to be attacked by •enemy’ ‘planes. Two ’planes appeared in the sky. They swooped towards us at terrmc speed, dropping ‘bombs’ of soot and flour. “A sharp command rang out from C.S.M. Outlaw for every man in the company to fall flat on to the ground. Apparently Outlaw was a fraction of a second too late in ducking, and the wing of one of the ’planes struck him on the head.” Officers and men who .rushed to Outlaw found him unconscious. Near him was part of an aeroplane wing. The pilot and observer, unaware of the accident, had flown off, and did not learn of, the occurrence until their arrival at Manston. An ambulance from the camp had to carry the unconscious man over miles of bumpy surface before it reached the road. Outlaw’ died in hospital shortly after admission. C.S.M. Outlaw, who was 35, was attached to the 4th Battalion Suffolk Regiment. He lived in Romain-road, Lowestoft. When not quite 16 he joined the Army and was sent to France six months later. When it was found that he was under age he was sent back to England, and when he was IS he went out again and saw considerable service till he was demobilised in 1919.