Hartley, William

Hartley, William            1914 Oct 23^rd         Shrewton

 

Canadian Soldier’s Death at Maddington

 

The Coroner for South Wilts (Mr F H Trethowan) held an inquest at Shrewton on Monday concerning the death of a Canadian soldier, Pte William H V Hartley, which occurred on Sunday, the day after the arrival at West Down Camp.

 

Mr W E Dean was foreman of the jury.

 

Captain Paul R Hanson, commanding the “C” Company of the First Royal Montreal (Canadian) Regiment of His Majesty’s Army, stationed at West Down Camp, stated that Hartley was in same regiment. He was 34 years of age and lived at Valley field, in the province of Quebec. He arrived at West Down on Saturday, and was witness’ orderly that day. He seemed rather shaky, but having had a long voyage of 20 days, witness thought perhaps that had affected him. He knew of nothing likely to cause his death.

 

William Robert May, temporary postman at Shrewton, said that at about 7.45am on Sunday he was going from Orcheston to Shrewton, and when about halfway – in the parish of Maddington – he noticed close to the roadside a heap of weeds with a soldier lying on it, apparently asleep. Witness called to a man who was near, and they both went to the soldier. On turning him over they found he was dead and quite cold. His face was right on the weeds, and witness did not think he would have been able to breathe.

 

Dr Charlton R F Hall said he saw the body at the spot described by the last witness. He considered that the man got his nose and mouth obstructed by the weeds on which he was lying, and that his death resulted from asphyxia some two or three hours before witness saw the body. Probably the man went to sleep on the heap of weeds. There were no signs of injury or foul play.

 

A verdict was returned in accordance with the medical evidence.