DEATHS IN ENGLAND

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24422, 7 October 1940, Page 5

DEATHS IN ENGLAND

NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS VICTIMS OF BLACK-OUT PERIL PLUNKET SHIELD CRICKETER KILLED (From the Official War Cori'espondent with the New Zealand Forces in Britain) ' October 3. The danger of using the English main roads in the black-out has been clearly demonstrated to the New Zealand troops in the past few days. Inquests were completed to-day on the deaths of two members of the South Island Battalion—Private David John Evans and Private Norman George Heads — wiro were fatally injured on successive nights by being struck by passenger buses. The findings were accidental death, with no blame attachable to anyone. Both accidents occurred when the men were returning to camp from evening leave, and each time during an air raid, when the buses are wholly unlighted except for small sidelamps (which by regulation must not throw their beams forward) and tail lamps. Private Evans and a companion, Private Archibald Laing, were walking homeward along the left side of the road in order the better to piCk up the side road leading to their billet, when they were struck from behind Evans. died in hospital shortly after admission, and Laing was sent to hospital with severe leg injuries. Private Heads was one of a party crossing a main road to reach its billet. The men were distracted by the searchlights, the enemy planes overhead, and the anti-aircraft gunfire, and so failed to see or hear a bus, which struck two of them just as they were reaching the far side of the road. Private Heads died in hospital the next night without having regained consciousness. The authorities are still investigating the death of Sergeant Clem Wareham, of Wellington, the Plunket Shield cricketer, who, when crossing a narrow village street in the black-out, was struck by a fast-driven motor car and killed. The car braked and skidded after hitting Sergeant Wareham, but, did not stop. The inquest was adjourned for further police injuries^ All three soldiers are being buried with full military honours. A Southlander, Major Leckie, temporarily commanding a battalion, has been promoted to temporary lieutenantcolonel.