SOLDIERS’S DEATH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 March 1940, Page 7

SOLDIERS’S DEATH

BODY FOUND BENEATH POWER POLE. ’ INDICATIONS OF SUICIDE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. AUCKLAND, February 29. A soldier of the Second Echelon stationed at Papakura military camp was found electrocuted lying near an electric transformer pole on the Great South Road, about a mile south of the camp early this morning. He was Private Lester Neil McKinnon, single, aged 26, formerly a nurseryman of Cambridge. He was a member of the 21st Rifle Battalion. The body was discovered by a passing motorist, who notified the police at Papakura. A doctor was called, and he found that Private McKinnon had been dead for some hours. There was extensive burning on the fingers of the right hand and the toes of both feet. It is believed by the police that he climbed the pole in his socks and stood on one live wire with both feet while he grasped another with his right hand. He was clad only in a grey shirt and khaki denim trousers. A pair of civilian shoes were found at the foot of the power pole, which carried high tension wires. When an inquest was opened a relative of Private McKinnon in camp gave evidence of identification, and said McKinnon had been very depressed lately, and was last seen in camp on Sunday. He did not respon? to roll call on Monday and was posted as missing. The inquest was adjourned sine die.