Sarah
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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser. Wednesday 22 Jul 1931
Page 7 Column 4
KINGSTON GUN TRAGEDY.
FARMER'S SON SHOT DEAD.
FRIEND'S ORDEAL.
RABBITING EXPEDITION SEQUEL.
Residents of Kingston and the whole neighbourhood around were deeply grieved by the news of a shocking accident on Monday evening, which resulted in the immediate death of John RICH (23), of “Grenada,” Kingston, son of a well-known and highly-esteemed farmer.
RICH had been out in the fields rabbit shooting with a friend, Arthur MANNING (20), who lives with his parents opposite the village school. When it was too late to do any more MANNING commenced to unload the gun, and it accidentally discharged and shot RICH in the back.
Death was instantaneous.
THE CORONER'S ENQUIRY.
MISADVENTURE VERDICT.
The story of the tragedy was related to the Coroner, Mr. Geoffrey P. CLARKE, at an inquest in the Village Hall on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr. SMETHERAM was elected foreman of the jury. Supt. CHAPMAN represented the police, and P.C. BURT was Coroner's officer.
Henry RICH, farmer, of Kingston, father of the deceased, gave evidence of identification, and stated that MANNING and his son were on very friendly terms. The gun belonged to witness, but he did not use it often.
Dr. Lee MICHELL, of Taunton, stated that he was called on the previous evening, and at about 10.30 saw the body of the deceased lying in a field. In witness's opinion, death was instantaneous. There was one wound in the back by the right shoulder.
By the Foreman: The shot might have been at a slight angle, but it must have been almost straight. The gun must have been close to the body of the shot would have spread.
By the Coroner: There was a slight singeing of the coat, and the shot could only have been fired at a distance of a few feet.
Arthur Chas. MANNING, of School Hill, Kingston, having been formally cautioned by the Coroner, elected to give evidence.
He stated that on the previous evening between 8 and 9 he and deceased decided to go to Rhodes Farm to shoot rabbits. At about 9.45 they were on the way home when deceased said: “If you want a rabbit to take home you had better shoot one.” They only had one gun with them. Deceased shut up the fowls and witness went across “Fifteen Acres” into “Brimlands.” He did not see any rabbits, so walked to the bottom gate, where he again met deceased, who said: “It is too late to shoot any more. We will see if there are any mushrooms through here.” Witness commenced to unload the gun, both barrels being loaded. Witness and deceased were standing side by side, deceased being on the left-hand side. Witness was pointing the gun to the front and went to let the trigger down lightly when the gun went off. He looked up and saw deceased drop in front of him. Deceased must have moved forward without witness noticing it. Witness had never used the gun before and he could not explain why it went off.
“TENDER.”
The jury examined the gun, and a member said it was rather “tender,” with a very short “pull.”
By Mr. RICH: When John said it was too late to shoot any more, witness said he would unload the gun.
By the Coroner: Deceased loaded the gun, and witness had been carrying it about eight minutes.
By a juror: He was looking at the gun whilst unloading it.
Continuing, witness said he spoke to deceased, who did not answer, so he ran down to the farm and told his brother George and then ran straight back to deceased again.
“BEST OF PALS.”
By the foreman: They were the best of pals and had not had a cross word for three years.
Harold James DAY, farmer, of Monkton Heathfield, stated that at 9.55 he was standing outside Mr. RICH's door when he heard the report of a gun. Shortly after he saw a young man run up the hill and pass between witness and Mr. RICH, the latter asking him if he had “run past himself.” The man spoke to someone in the house and then ran out again. Mr. RICH said: “What's the matter?” and he replied “John shot; come quick.” Witness jumped into the car and took deceased's brother to the scene of the accident. MANNING had got back to the spot before the car. He was very agitated. Deceased was lying on his back with his feet doubled up under him, and quite dead. Deceased appeared to have been carrying two rabbits in one hand and one rabbit in the other.
MANNING (recalled) said that deceased fell on his face, and he laid him over on his back after he had been back to the house.
P.C. BURT said two the lads [sic] were like brothers.
CORONER SUMS UP.
The Coroner, in summing up, said the doctor had given his opinion that death was instantaneous, and where a person was dead it was most important as a general rule that nothing should be touched until someone else had seen it. He was sure the jury would wish to join with him in expressing deepest sympathy with the relatives.
THE VERDICT.
The jury returned a verdict of “Death from misadventure.”
The expressed sympathy with the relatives of the deceased and also with MANNING.