“Sergeant Desmond Laurence Delaney, aged 23. of Marton, was killed instantly by a premature explosion which occurred at 1.30 p.m. yesterday when a military party was engaged on manoeuvres at Umutaoroa, near Dannevirke. Delaney, a sergeant instructor, was setting a “submarine” charge of gelignite timed to explode at 2.15 p.m. It is thought that he tripped over the fuse or in some manner accidentally fired the charge.

Captain Higgins, N.Z. Medical Corps, was present, but found Delaney dead from severe head injuries.

An inquest was held last night, when the coroner, Mr W. Dobson, returned a verdict of accidental death.”
NELSON EVENING MAIL, VOLUME 77, 31 OCTOBER 1942, PAGE 2