Lives of the First World War

The Accidental Death of George Edgar, 27th Battalion, Canadians on 16 October 1918 - Around 9am on the morning of the 14 October 1918, on the instruction of Lt.John Pidgeon, members of his Platoon were cleaning their weapons within the billet at Epinoy, Pas de Calais, France. Privates Cassels, Rae, Deluca and Edgar were all present. As Private Domenico Deluca was cleaning his german revolver, he inadvertently shot Private George Edgar, his friend who was walking past a window directly in front of him, striking him on the right side of his lower abdomen. On hearing the shot, Lt.Pidgeon entered the billets and summoned medical assistance from Captain Duncan Corcoran, C.A.M.C.. As Edgar was being removed on a stretcher from the billets a statement was taken from him which confirmed it as an accidental discharge, however, Deluca was arrested pending investigation. Edgar died two days later on the 16th October 1918 of his injuries. At the court of enquiry on the 9 December 1918, Deluca was found guilty of neglect and sentenced to 28 days Field Punishment No.1. The Board of Inquiry statements can be read in the Full Service Record of George Edgar.

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