§ 65. Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any information in connection with the death of William Black Ritchie, a gunner in an anti-aircraft battery; and was there an inquest about the matter?
§ Mr. StanleyGunner Ritchie died from injuries received in an accidental blow on the head from the draw bar of a gun. In the course of drill on 22nd February, the draw bar of the gun was found to be jammed, and, on being released, it escaped the grasp of three men who were holding it and struck Gunner Ritchie on the head. He was taken to hospital and died on the morning of 23rd February. An inquest was held at Carlisle on 24th February.
§ 66. Mr. Thorneasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any 194 information in connection with the death of a soldier at Warley Barracks, Brentwood, named Private Robert Mills; and what was the cause of his death?
§ Mr. StanleyPrivate Mills died on 7th February last as the result of taking hold of a door knob which had been connected to an electric plug by another soldier as a practical joke. The verdict at the inquest was "Accidental death.''