| Notes: | CMP. 108 Pro Coy. Enlisted in the Monmouthshire Regiment, transferred to CMP. 2/9/40 Died. He was born in Monmouthshire and resided in Hampshire. Inscription on gravestone: His welcome smile, his loving face, never on earth can we replace.
108 Pro Coy War Diary, WO 166/5907.
2/9/1940 08.30 hrs Sgt Mason reported that L/Cpl Ivins had been shot in the head by a revolver accidentally discharge by L/Cpl Ward when in room at billets. Later Ivins died. 3/9/1940 Preparing evidence re accidental shooting of L/Cpl Ivins. 4/9/1940 attended inquest on L/Cpl Ivins at Kent & Sussex Hospital, Tunbridge Wells. Verdict accidental death. 10/9/1940 Court of enquiry held at 53 Warwick Park, HQ 108 Pro Coy to enquire into death of L/Cpl Ivins of 108 Pro Coy. Casualty List 318, Home, died as a result of an accident, 2/9/1940.
Elliott Edward Ivins.
Extract from the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, 6/9/40.
KILLED BY HIS FRIEND. Revolver accidentally fired in a billet. That there had undoubtedly there had been a degree of carelessness was the opinion of the Coroner (Mr H Soady) when at Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday he returned a verdict of "Accidental death by guns shot wounds on Lance Corporal Elliot Ivins of the Corps of Military Police, who was accidentally shot dead by one of his own comrades in his billet at Warwick Park. Ivins home was in Aldershot. Sgt A W Mason, of the Corps of Military Police, said he was having his breakfast when he heard a revolver shot and a shout came from upstairs. L/cpl May came down and the witness told him to telephone for an ambulance. Ivins was lying on his back on the floor with a revolver wound in the right eye. He died on the way to hospital. Three Lance Corporals and L/Cpl Ward were in the room. Capt C Wm Chas Baglin, in command of the company said the men were issued with revolvers and ten round of ammunition. When on duty they were ordered to load six chambers and when they came off duty the unloading was done by the visiting NCO. A man should not enter his living quarters with a loaded revolver. The Coroner said "How did the loaded revolver escape detection? Witness "By the NCO visiting, who has since been dealt with." Lance Corporal R Sinclair, a colleague said he saw Ivins fall to the ground with blood streaming from his face. Ward had a revolver in his hand, but dropped it and immediately ran out of the room. Both Ivins and Ward were on the best of terms. L/Cpl H G Jupp also gave evidence, Sgt T P Moon said that when he asked Ward how it happened he said it was my revolver and pointed to the .45. Witness could see that the revolver was loaded. Later witness saw Ward, who said I was cleaning my revolver and we were talking, suddenly it went off. I came off duty this morning, and my revolver was not unloaded. L/Cpl H A Ward said he had just come off duty and when he went to clean the revolver he tries to break it, but it was a little stiff. He cave another wrench and his finger must have accidentally caught the trigger. He did not realise that it was still loaded until he went to clean it. He had no intention of discharging it, adding that he was on very friendly terms with Ivins. Detective Sergeant Nash and Dr R W R Lucas also gave evidence. In returning his verdict the Coroner said that it was obvious firearms did not go off unexpectedly if they were handled properly and with every care. It did seem that there had been some lack of care when a man in breaking his revolver got his finger on the trigger. It was extremely unfortunate that the order as to unloading had not been properly carried out, otherwise the accident would never have occurred. At the same time he could not help feeling a certain amount of sympathy with L/Cpl Ward. |
UNITED KINGDOM
