| Notes: | MFP. Awarded the Victory and War Medals. First served abroad (3) Egypt, 24/3/1916. He enlisted in the MFP 16/11/15 age 28.11 years, occupation Police Constable, Address: Police Station, Polegate, Sussex and later Burlington Gardens, Polegate, Sussex. Served home 16/11/15 to 23/3/16, Egyptian Exp Force 24/3/16 to 1/9/19, En Route 2/9/19 to 12/9/19, home 13/9/19 to 11/10/19. Formerly served 12 years in the East Kent Regt. No. 6618. Two reports from his army record: 1. APM Alexandria District 14/4/19. I beg to state that I was present in the APM's office Main Guard Alexandria at 12.30 hrs on the 10th April 1919, when No. P/2627 Cpl Whitehead F, MFP had occasion to recharge his automatic revolver. He had removed the charger from the magazine, but not the bullet from the breach. The weapon with safety catch secure was placed upon a table and whilst Cpl Whitehead was conversing with me, Pte McArthur C G MTR ASC entered the office and seeing the revolver minus charger was of the opinion that it was empty. He therefore picked the revolver up and no sooner had he done so than the bullet was fired. Upon the report Cpl Whitehead exclaimed "I'm hit" and I then ascertained that he had received a wound in the right shoulder. I cannot explain how the revolver was fired, other than the safety catch was accidentally released when taken from the table and the movement in so doing causing the unaccountable pressure on the trigger. Signed John D ? Cpl MFP.
2. I beg to report that about 12.30 hours on the 10th inst, while on duty at the Main Guard Alexandria I saw an automatic revolver on the table with no magazine inside. Thinking it was unloaded I picked it up to examine it and while doing so the same exploded and I heard Corporal Whitehead M F Police say he was hit in the right arm. I cannot account how the accident occurred. Signed ? ? Private MTASC. Frederick Whitehead. |
