Court of Inquiry

Court of Inquiry

known 20th August 1918

Court of Inquiry "Proceedings of a Court of Inquiry assembled at Bn HQ 4thBn R.W.Fusiliers on the 21st August 1918...for the purpose of investigating & reporting on the circumstances under which an explosion occurred at 3.35pm on 20th inst. near Bn HQ while a fatigue party were loading a Maltese cart with salved ammunition, the said explosion resulting in the death of seven men and the wounding of seven men" President: Major W.C.B Williams M.C. Members: Captain C.B.Chrisopherson, Lieutenant J.G.Edwards. Witnesses called and gave evidence: 202247 A/RSN R.Wells D.C.M, M.M 202409 u/p L/Cpl S.Swan 202587 Pte R.E Wainwright, A Coy, 4th RWF 200749 Pioneer Sgt T.G. Edwards Lt. J. E. Seebert M.R.C USA Findings: 1. Casualties Died Immediately: 201078 Pte P.Mulvey 202029 Pte E.T. Edwards 315222 Pte. J. Davies 267654 Pte J. Roberts Died of Wounds: 202254 Pte B. Whiteman 200954 Pte T. Bennion 202189 Pte W.R. Somers Seriously Wounded: 200150 Pte C. Bryan 24439 Sgt T.R. Warburton Slightly Wounded: 200351 L/S W.Williams 203417 Pte R.D. Morgan 235390 Pte. R. Frayne 200075 Pte W. Hatton 203424 Pte H.G. Powell Missing: 40235 Pte W. Gatley 2) That the above casualties arose from the explosion of 1 bag of 3” Stokes Mortar Bombs which were being moved in the course of military duty. 3) That the cause of the explosion cannot be ascertained but probably is caused by the safety appliances on the fuse being displaced by the sandbag being moved or damaged by a piece of shell. Several shells have fallen in the vicinity lately. 4) That all reasonable care was taken in handling the bombs. 5) That the explosion was accidental and that no blame is attached to anybody.

Created by: , Wayne117646

  • Born 1881

    Died 1918

    British Army 8287 Private Royal Welsh Fusiliers

    British Army 200954 Private Royal Welsh Fusiliers 1st/4th Battalion