A coronial inquiry into the death of Trooper Alphonsus Patrick Maguire, aged 32, of Hastings, who was killed at a military camp when a rifle accidentally exploded, was opened before the district coroner (Mr. C. K. Lawrie). Evidence was given that it appeared that Maguire and another soldier were on sentry duty and Maguire went to the tent of the other soldier to call him. He squatted at the entrance to the tent. A third soldier was given a rifle to load and did this while sitting up in bed. As he was replacing the bolt after filling the magazine, a shot rang out. The bullet passed through one soldier’s foot, wounded a tent mate and entered Trooper Maguire’s right lower abdomen, passing through his body. The body was sent south by train last evening. The dead soldier was accorded full military honours at the first part of the funeral. The body was taken to the railway station on a Bren gun carrier and the camp band headed the procession.

NORTHERN ADVOCATE, 18 MARCH 1942, PAGE 5