SHOT HIS CHUM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15730, 3 October 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

SHOT HIS CHUM

MISHAP ON WARSHIP.

A distressing accident occurred recently on one of the British warships engaged in coastal defence work. The vessel was in the North Sea, and the crew in the foro mess deck were about to commence the day's routine- when, Leading Seaman Henry George-',- Warren aecidently discharged a revolver, and the bullet striking Able Seaman Thomas Henry Hogg in the head killing him instantly. Hogg, who was twenty-four, was a native of East London, and he and Warren were chums. *

An inquest was held, and Warren,- telling the jury bow the accident happened, said that he had ordered the men to "turn to." They were inclined to skylark, and to emphasise his order he said, "I'm not going to give my orders twice,' and at the same time snatched at a service revolver hanging in u holster from a peg. As his finger closed on the trigger ho swung half-round, and, without realising that the weapon was loaded, exerted pressure, with the result that the weapon exploded and Hogg felii. " I did not point the revolver at anyone," ho said. "He and I were good friends." Other witnesses corroborated Warren's story. " You should always presume a weapon to be loaded," said the coroner, "and should never point one at anyone but an enemy."

The coroner said it was a deplorable thing. The country -it this crisis could ill afford to lose a trained man, when every man was needed in order that wo might triumph over our enemies. Returning a verdict of " Accidental death," the jury expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased, and with Warren in the regret that he must feel at having caused the death of his comrade.