Smith, Samuel

Smith, Samuel         1914 Nov 6^th         Tilshead

 

Canadian Soldier’s Fatal Fall

 

The Coroner for South Wilts (Mr F H Trethowan) held an inquest at Amesbury Workhouse on Friday into the circumstances attending the death of Samuel Herbert Smith, a private in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The evidence showed that Private Smith was travelling between Salisbury and West Down Park Camp on Thursday in a motor car, and while the car was passing over uneven ground he fell into the road and was almost instantaneously killed.

 

George William Hincks, a private in the Canadian Force, said that Private Smith was 28 years old. He was a native of Liverpool, but had been in Canada for 18 months at West Mount, Montreal. On Thursday he, with Smith and four other men, was driving from Salisbury to West Down Park Camp in a motor-car, which was meant to carry a machine gun, and was, therefore, open at the sides. Smith was inclined to be rather sleepy, he had travelled from Liverpool on the previous day. Some distance on the journey Smith said “I want to get out of this.” Witness said “Sit still, Bert. We will soon be there.” Smith smiled and said, “Oh, all right.” Almost immediately the car jolted on a rough piece of road, and Smith was pitched out on his head. The car was immediately stopped, and Smith was found lying with his knees up, on his back, with wounds in his head. He was dead. Witness returned to Salisbury and reported the occurrence to superior officers. The road on which the fatality happened was rough and had been badly cut up, especially at the place where Smith fell from the car.

 

Tillson Lever Harrison said he was formerly a captain attached to the French Foreign Legion, but was at present with the Canadian Force, stationed at Bustard Camp. He was in the car when the accident happened, and corroborated the statement of Private Hincks. There was no blame attached to anyone.

 

Dr Browne, of Amesbury, said that when he saw the body lying near Shrewton Cross Roads life was quite extinct. He considered that death was due to fracture of the skull, and it must have been almost instantaneous.

 

The jury returned a verdict of “Accidental Death.”