Killed by your own men

In time of war it is not uncommon to be killed by your own side (artillery barrages falling short, targets not properly identified) but to be deliberately killed by a member of your own unit is a rarer event.

“On the morning of March 3rd 1918 Second Lieutenant* D McLean the Transport Officer of the 2nd Battalion, Otago Regiment went to the Transport Sergeant to tell him to detail another driver for the mess cart as Private Roderique was being returned to his Company. About 5 minutes later a shot was heard and Lieutenant McLean found lying on his back with his hands in his pockets, a revolver wound in his forehead. He had been shot by Private Roderique who then went to the Quartermaster's Store and spoke to the Quartermaster, Captain R J Hill saying, “I believe you are sending me back to the trenches Sir”. Captain Hill told him to get out of it and go and do his work. A few seconds later a shot was heard and Captain Hill was seen to stagger and fall. Private Roderique had a revolver in his hand. Another soldier rushed at him and caught him from behind but Roderique managed to shoot himself through the head. At 8 o’clock that morning he had appeared to be in his normal mind.” [Summary of the enquiry held as recorded in Captain Hill’s service record. * Abbreviations in the original have been expanded for clarity.]

Captain Roland Justice Hill MC, is buried in Hondeghem Churchyard
Second Lieutenant Duncan McLean MM, is buried in Hondeghem Churchyard
Private Avon John Roderique is buried in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery

Both Hill’s and McLean’s service records give the cause of death as “killed accidentally”. Roderick’s cause of death is given as “killed (wilfully self inflicted)”.