FATAL RIFLE PRACTICE LIVE SHELL AMONG DUMMIES (P.A.) AUCKLAND, June 23. “Had the regulations or instructions been carried out and an inspection of the rifles made-before disc-aiming was commenced, this unfortunate accident would never have occurred,” said the coroner, Mr F. JK. Hunt, to-day, when ho concluded an inquest into the death of Walter Lloyd George Littlejohn, leadingaircraftman, single, aged 26, whose widowed mother lives at Mount Albert. Littlejohn was shot by another aircraftman during routine rifle practice in checking arms at an air station near Auckland on May 21. Aircraftman Arthur James Adams said he received a clip of five dummy cartridges and he used them several times, replacing them in the clip for further use. He and Littlejohn were standing arm to arm, and it would be possible for dummy ammunition to become mixed during standing practice. They had just finished standing practice and were about to commence aiming in a prone position, Littlejohn being opposite, about three feet distant, testing witness’s aim with an eye disc. "I aimed at the centre of his eye disc and pressed the trigger. The rifle discharged, and Littlejohn was shot through the head,” added Adams. “ I was unaware that a live cartridge was in my rifle, and cannot account for its presence there, unless I. picked it up inadvertently from the ground during the practice. I had no live ammunition in my possession, and there was none on the range.” Mr Hunt:—Your rifle was not inspected before you went out? —No. When was it inspected?—Not at all. Major E. A. Porritt, M.C., said that immediately preceding the practice the squad being instructed repeatedly worked the bolts of their rifles backwards and forwards. Even if dummy cartridges had been in the rifles, they would have been ejected. Witness said that an examination of an empty shell which was found after the accident showed that it was badly weathered. It appeared to be one that had been lying about for some time. His theory was that a live cartridge had been inadvertently picked up and placed in a clip holding four dummy cartridges. None of the other men in the squad had dummy cartridges in their rifles. Adams then said that he thought he put a clip in when he was lying down. He was not told he was not to put a clip in. “ I think the only explanation is that an old live cartridge was picked up,” said • the coroner. “It seems to me that there should be more frequent inspection. I think this was a slip in the human element. I am very sorry for the relatives of the unfortunate young man who lost his life, and also for Adams.” A verdict of death by accidental shooting while at rifle practice was returned.
OTAGO DAILY TIMES, ISSUE 25260, 24 JUNE 1943, PAGE 4
