Strange, bizzarre and unlucky deaths

[James A Pratt III]

During WW I, the Russian 1917 revolutions and the Russian Civil war there are a number of instances where Russian soldier and a few civilians died by getting drunk and falling into a vat or pool of alcohol.

[bill24chev]

During WW I, the Russian 1917 revolutions and the Russian Civil war there are a number of instances where Russian soldier and a few civilians died by getting drunk and falling into a vat or pool of alcohol.

They probably had to get out Three or Four times to go to the toilet

[rolt968]

During WW I, the Russian 1917 revolutions and the Russian Civil war there are a number of instances where Russian soldier and a few civilians died by getting drunk and falling into a vat or pool of alcohol.

A faster version of the death of the Duke of Clarence?

[sotonmate]

Only just been reading part of a War Diary for 1/5 DLI around Somme 1916 time.

An entry states that an Officer had been killed by a stray bullet whilst asleep in his bivouac.

[ss002d6252]

Only just been reading part of a War Diary for 1/5 DLI around Somme 1916 time.

An entry states that an Officer had been killed by a stray bullet whilst asleep in his bivouac.

When it's your time.

A 6th DLI man was killed when a bullet went through his tent (although back in the UK) after someone fired a rifle, thinking it was unloaded. They also lost a man to carbon-monoxide poisoning after lighting a brazier in-doors.

Craig

[Ken S.]

In 1915, a German soldier "over 50 years old" and Russian interpreter for his battalion decides to personally deliver a leaflet to the enemy. The leaflet states that any of Russian who hands over his weapon will be given 5 Mark. As an added incentive he allegedly takes along a few bottles of rum. Apparently he managed to reach the Russian trench and part of the way back by walking, for on his return after successfully depositing the items he "suddenly" began to run. The Russians had opened fire on him and sure enough he was struck and killed.

[KateJ]

When I researching my local history book "Bishop's Stortford Through Time", I found the story of the unfortunate death of a Private George Harrison of the North Midland Cyclist Company who chocked to death in his sleep after having one too many. Below is from my book - the photograph is a postcard of Harrison's funeral procession marching up through Hockerill in Bishop's Stortford (where today there is a major set of traffic lights). Albert Ball, later to become the renowned flying ace of the Royal Flying Corp and awarded posthumous VC, was the unfortunate Harrison's commanding officer and also the witness at the inquest into Harrison's death.

"On Saturday 13 March 1915, Pte George Harrison of the North Midland Division Cycling Corps attended a dinner given by his commanding officer, Second Lieutenant Albert Ball, at the Railway Hotel, Hockerill. After the dinner, Harrison and four other men returned to their billet at Ivy Lodge, Warwick Road. The next morning, Harrison was found dead in his bed, having apparently chocked to death in his sleep. Giving evidence at the inquest, Ball stated that Harrison appeared alright during the meal, but afterwards appeared to be too drunk to walk. The inquest returned a verdict of accidental death, due to suffocation while in a drunken condition. The inquest also held that Ball, a teetotaller, was inexperienced, but not to blame for Harrison’s death. Harrison was buried with full military honours at Bishop’s Stortford Cemetery on 17 March 1915. Present at the funeral were units from the Hertfordshire Territorial National Reserve, Notts and Derby Regiment, and Bedfordshire regiment. There was also a firing party, consisting of the 5th Lincolnshire Regiment, and buglers from the town’s lifesaving brigade sounded the last post. The postcard shows units from either the Bedfordshire or Notts and Derby Regiment returning after the funeral." (From Bishop's Stortford Through Time, p68)

Kate

[CGM]

He is remembered:

HARRISON, G

Rank: Private

Service No: 60

Date of Death: 13/03/1915

Regiment/Service: Army Cyclist Corps North Midland Div. Cyclists' Coy.

Grave Reference: E. 2. 43.

Cemetery:BISHOP'S STORTFORD OLD CEMETERY

CGM

[Fat Frank]

The other Fitzpatick

It is generally conceded that the universally acclaimed South African author of that timeless classic, Jock of the Bushveld, Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, also conceived the idea of the two minute silence, observed on every Armistice Day, in memory of all those men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice. It was not an empty gesture on his part, for his eldest son, 28-year-old, Major Percy Nugent George Fitzpatrick, of the South African Heavy Artillery, had himself made the ultimate sacrifice, and lies buried in "Flanders fields".

Major Percy Nugent Fitzpatrick, together with a fellow Officer, Lieutenant Waller, were killed instantaneously, on the 14 December 1917, when they were struck by a "stray 4-inch shell while driving to railhead in the battery car."

I'm not sure there is ever a "stray shell" but here it is.

[IRC Kevin]

Forty feet underground and killed by bullet from aircraft.

 

[Pylon1357II]

The report on the death of Pte. Willie Pickles, who's medals currently reside in my collection. 

 

[RaySearching]

12th May 1916

 

CWGC

 

regards Ray

[James A Pratt III]

According to the book "The Donkeys" At lone tree near Col de Grenay in no mans land a young LT of the 8th? Seaforths climbed and fastens a Union Jack to the trunk during the night. he was spotted on the way down by a flare light and machine gunned. Two attempts on the succeeding nights to retrieve his body stuck in the tree failed artillery fire called up failed to hit the tree. You might call this a stupid act that got him killed.

[David Porter]

The War Diary for 302nd Brigade RFA states that on September 6, 1916 at 4:15 pm:

 

No. 1772 Dvr. Bone, S. A. accidentally killed by a fall of chalk at LARRESET

 

He was only 19 years old.

 

https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/79812/bone,-sidney-alfred/

[RaySearching]

 

 

 

Died 8th Jan 1916  / newspaper cutting 11th Jan 1916

 

Richard McEvoy

 

Bernard Duggan

 

Dominick Doyle

 

Ray

[thetrenchrat22]

Pte George Devine, AVC 

 

died at Longmoor Camp, was said to have died from a result of a horse kicking him in a stable 

 

but inquest ruled death death from natural causes 

[steve fuller]

Infantry Private from 1898, survived the Boer War, Regular service India and South Africa pre WW1, Old Contemptible from Mons onwards, wounded in 1914 and again in 1915, commissioned Lancashire Fusiliers, wounded 1/7/1916, returned to his home regiment, back in France for / survived Arras and 3rd Ypres, 1918 Spring Offensives (wounded), back again  in time for the 100 Days offensives which cost the battalion heavily in officers but he survived without a scratch, to Ireland post war, returned to UK.

 

While in barracks in Colchester an old comrade dropped in to grab some unplanned lunch. He forgot his overcoat, went back to his room to collect it, fell down the stairs. Looked up at his comrade as he lay there and said "Nic, I think I may have hurt myself", lost consciousness and died from his injuries later that day.

[ilkley remembers]

Private Denis Whalem, CEF accidentally shot dead at a fairground shooting gallery in Kent 1917

[ilkley remembers]

I know that the RAF were once nicknamed the 'Brylcreem Boys', but using powder puffs is taking things a bit too far.

[andywalker]

 Private Day at Tilloy must be one of the unluckiest !!

 

[Muerrisch]

here is one who eluded the grim reaper:

 

Captain Edward Reginald Kearsley.   ‘A regular officer whom I had known in my pre-war soldiering ….. A neat, precise little man with fair hair and a not strong word of command …. A first class soldier’ (Richards OSND).   ‘Reggie’ Kearsley came to 2nd RWF in 1917 having already packed a lifetime of adventure into his first 34 years.  Because he survived the war and continued to serve, his National Archive folder is not available.  The Great War began without him but he joined 1st RWF in France in May 1915 after a spell at the Depôt and was very seriously wounded in the Battle of Loos whilst in temporary command of his battalion.  Not only did he receive seven wounds, but whilst being evacuated under enemy fire he was dropped several times from his stretcher.  Richards said of him (OSND) that one arm was practically useless, not surprisingly as he had avoided amputation only by joining a ship for England and spending some time at Lady Wernher’s Hospital at Luton Hoo.   His first DSO citation was: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack in the enemy trenches near Hulluch 25th September 1915.  He was in command of the battalion and although severely wounded, rallied his men, and continued the advance under heavy fire until finally disabled by no less than seven wounds.  His personal good leading and determination resulted in the capture of several lines of German trenches’. (LG 4th November 1915). He recuperated during a spell as Adjutant of 3rd RWF in England until joining 2nd RWF on 21st July 1917, narrowly missing the Divisional Horse show but in time for Brigade and Battalion Sports Day.  The War the Infantry Knew  noted that he soon became a favourite with the men.  Kearsley assumed temporary command of the battalion from time to time, including on 27th September when he was called from reserve during some dreadful days and nights east of Ypres at Polygon Wood.  He was awarded a Bar to his DSO, but it is greatly to his credit that he functioned at all that day.  Departing from his established custom of falling off horses, he had only hours before survived an aircraft crash when flying as a passenger over the lines, and fell from the top of a tree on to his head.   The most likely crash in the records is of an RE 8, A4571 of No. 6 Squadron based at Abeele near Ypres and officially on Artillery Observation duty. It suffered engine failure on landing and was damaged hitting a tree. His DSO Citation of 6th April 1918 (award noted in the War Diary 30th October 1917) reads ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.  He took command of his battalion at short notice and organised and launched an attack which was completely successful, capturing the final objective.  He showed great initiative and skill throughout’. He did not escape unscathed, being wounded in the foot and spending a period recuperating in England before returning to the unit 16th December, was Mentioned in Despatches 18th December, became a major again 31st December and on 19th January 1918 was hospitalised with a broken leg after his horse (what else?) slipped and fell on loose macadam in Ypres.  The accident was only a day or so before Kearsley was due to command 10th Battalion South Wales Borderers.   He went to 3rd RWF at Limerick in July 1918 and celebrated the Armistice as second-in-command of the Regimental Depôt at Wrexham (substantive major 10th October 1918) before commanding there in 1919.  That year also saw his marriage to Elizabeth, widow of a fellow officer, Captain ME Lloyd 1st RWF, killed in action 23rd October 1914.  Edward went on half pay in 1922 with a double DSO and as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour (LG 1st May 1915).  He spent his long retirement from 1926 with his beloved horses, filling many important posts in the equine world.  Reggie Kearsley also found time for many important civil tasks, being variously a JP, a DL, and a County Councillor.  This remarkable man among a generation of remarkable men died 1st April 1976.

 

[Phil Wood]

Benjamin Smith, Labour Corps - struck by lightning - http://westberkshirewarmemorials.org.uk/texts/stories/WBP01132S.php

 

Henry Winter, RE(Postal Section) - working at night he stepped back to get out of the way of a passing lorry - into the path of another lorry going in the opposite direction. http://westberkshirewarmemorials.org.uk/texts/stories/WBP01175S.php

 

There are a few more odd ones on the Newbury memorial - a baker who died of heat exhaustion (dangerous business baking in Mespot), a driver who died when the lorry he wasn't driving was hit by a train on a level crossing and a sailor who drowned along with several mates when rowing back to his ship from a night out in Yarmouth - alchohol almost certainly involved.

 

A RN Lieut who was involved in the rescure of men from a destroyer sunk by mines - recognised a Lieut from his old school amongst those fished out of the sea and took him to the wardroom to recuperate - at which point his ship hit a mine a sank in minutes - both schoolchums died.

 

Finally a mystery - the sailor who was lost overboard - while his ship was alongside in Dover harbour. Suicide or a daft attempt to get to the pub?

 

 

[gmac101]

21 minutes ago, Phil Wood said:

 

Finally a mystery - the sailor who was lost overboard - while his ship was alongside in Dover harbour. Suicide or a daft attempt to get to the pub?

 

The other alternative is he was having a pee overboard.  I remember reading that a large proportion of male fisherman and sailors found drowned often have their flies down 

[Phil Wood]

8 hours ago, gmac101 said:

 

The other alternative is he was having a pee overboard.  I remember reading that a large proportion of male fisherman and sailors found drowned often have their flies down 

 

Sleepwalking has also been suggested and the local press reported that he had been 'swept away during a heavy sea' - the inquest decided that only he knew what happened:

 

INQUEST ON TWO NAVAL MEN.

An inquest was held at the Esplanade Hotel on Monday afternoon, by the Borough Coroner (Mr. S. Payn) to ascertain the circumstances under which two more Naval men were drowned in the docks. Mr. H. Hentall was chosen foreman ot the jury, and at the Mortuary they viewed the bodies of Sydney John Brooks, of one of H.M. torpedo boat destroyers, and that of John Kemp, a greaser on a mine-sweeper.

 

Gunner T. E. Linnington, of one of H.M. torpedo boat destroyers, identified the deceased Brooks as Sydney (sic) John Brooks, A.B., aged about 24 years. The deceased had not been seen since 10.30 p.m. on December 9th, when witness was officer in command of the watch when the torpedo boat destroyer was lying in the Granville Dock. Witness had heard that the deceased came from his mess and went to the upper deck. He was sober, being one of the watch aboard, and not allowed on shore at all. There were berthing rails all round the vessel, and it was quite safe. Brooks's cap was found floating soon after 11 p.m. between their vessel and another one. When it was found witness mustered all hands and, finding Brooks missing, got drags out to search for him, but without result.

 

John William Cook, A.B. on one H M. ships lying in the Granville Dock, said that he saw the body of Brooks in the water in the dock at 8.10 a.m. on Saturday. He reported it to a constable, and assisted him to lift the body out, and it was taken to the Mortuary. The body was found in the same place as the torpedo boat destroyer to which he belonged had lain.

Police-constable Kemp, to whom the last witness reported the discovery of the body, said that it was floating opposite the "George" Corner, and by means of a boat, with the witness Cook's assistance, it was hooked out with a boat hook. The deceased was fully dressed and in sea boots. Twopence in bronze, and a letter, addressed to him from Ealing., "To my dear brother," were found. His shirt was marked "S. Brook." He was tattooed with a snake and a bird on the left forearm; and on the right arm, anchor, star, dancing (illegible), a woman, a butterfly, and a bunch of flowers with the name "Elsie" thereon. His height was 5ft. 7ins., and he was clean shaven.

 

Dr. Baird said that the deceased's body was in too decomposed a condition on Saturday to be able to tell anything except that death was (illegible) due to drowning.

 

In reply to the Coroner, Gunner Linnington said that he should say that, without doubt, the deceased could swim, as they were very strict in the Service on that point.

 

The Coroner said that was all the evidence, and apparently the only one who knew anything more about the case was the poor fellow himself. How he got overboard was a mystery.

 

A verdict of found drowned was returned.

[RaySearching]

 

 

Killed by Bombs Dropped By French Airmen Whilst POW

 

 

Source Western Front Association pension documents

 

 

Ray