ACCIDENT AT THE RIFLE RANGE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1885, 18 January 1875, Page 2

ACCIDENT AT THE RIFLE RANGE.

A very unfortunate accident occurred at the Delta Range while volunteers were firing on Saturday afternoon. Sergent Clery— very well known on the field as an experienced military man—received a wound from, a rifle bullet* which, it is gratifying to know, is not of a very serious nature. From enquries we gather chat the IVaval .Brigade and No 3 Company 11.8..V. were firing for prizes, Sergeant Clery performing the duties of marker in the right mantlet, and Seaman Gordon of the iNavals in the left. The manner in which the accident occurred is still strange — the strangest part about it beiug that noboby saw Mr Clery before the shot was fired. It appears that »ne man had just, fired and Clery emerged from the shelter of the mantlet to ascertain the score, and to wipe-off. From what can be learned, it; does not appear that he made any unnecessary delay in doing this; and he must have been outside the mantlet unnoticed when Private Cowe Cthe unlucky individual who fired the shot) took his position on the platform to fire. Whether this is so or riot, nobody noticed Sergeant Clery or his flap until the shot was fired, when Cowe, on rising to his feet, saw the form of a man bend down and run into the mantlet at the same time that the danger flag fell into the mud. He then said "Good God! there was a man outside; how was it you did not see him? " Those to whom he spoke ridiculed the idea, very naturally imagining that bad the marker been outside they would have seen him. But Cowe asserted possitiyely that he had seen a man run in as if hurt immediately after the shot was fired, and soon after all doubts were set at rest by seaman Gordon exhibiting the red and white flags. Sergeant Clery was found in the mantlet wounded. He had received a bullet in his left shoulder, entering at the bladebone and extending six inches came out at the upper portion of the arm, when it hit the target, and made an outer. Fortunately, the bone is only just grazed, so far as can be seen, and the doctors—ltilgour and Paynel—who dressed the wound, do not think that the wound is a serious one. Mr Clery at the time he received the shot had the flag held out, and was endeavouring to discern where the previous bullet had gone, there being some difficulty in seeing the shots by reason of the bad coloring that was put on the target. He had the flag in one hand and brush in the other. It is not pleasant to think of what might have been the consequences had. Mr Clery been standing erect; the shot would have passed ; through his left breast, instead of sliding off the bladebone as it did. Therefore, Mr Clery is to be congratulated on his escape while pitied for the hurt which has; befallen him.