An inquest into the death of a 34-year-old soldier Private John Angus McCarthy, which occurred in hospital after an accident with a bayonet while on duty, was concluded this week, states the Gisborne Herald. Private McCarthy in private life was a linotype operator employed by the Gisborne Herald. Sergeant Sidney John Halloway said that he was called by Corporal Gurney. When he reached the spot he saw that Private McCarthy had been injured. A bayonet had pierced his right leg behind the knee. He applied a field dressing and a tourniquet to stop the bleeding. Private McCarthy was taken to hospital after receiving treatment from the district nurse.

Corporal Ronald George Gurney said that on July 8, at 8.45 p.m., he took five privates and marched them to positions. Private McCarthy was marched to the final point. To reach this post, continued Corporal Gurney, it was necessary to cross an obstacle which had a ladder to descend on the other side. The height was 8ft. 6in. The corporal went first and descended the ladder. When he reached the ground he turned round and watched Private McCarthy. He heard a slide as if Private McCarthy had missed his footing, and he fell to the ground alongside the witness. Private McCarthy, at the time, was carrying a rifle with a fixed bayonet. After he fell he lay on. the ground and said: “The bayonet is in my leg.” Witness detached it from the rifle but left it in the leg and called for assistance. It was the first occasion that Private McCarthy had been on duty at this particular point, and he had never been over the ground in daylight.

Leg Pierced by Bayonet - A doctor who attended Private McCarthy in hospital said he was suffering severely, from shock due to haemorrhage from an injury to his right leg. He was nearly dead, and it was impossible to operate until he rallied considerably. Some hours later a blood transfusion was given and the wound investigated.  The principal artery and vein were completely cut through. He did well for several days and then rapid deterioration of the wound and of the patient began. On July, 21 the leg was amputated above the knee. Private McCarthy died suddenly next morning with symptoms of coronary embolism. Private McCarthy told him, added the doctor, that he could not see the ladder because of the darkness, so he threw his rifle to the ground in front of him. The rifle apparently remained upright with the bayonet in the air, and pierced his thigh. The following verdict was returned: That John Angus McCarthy died on July 22, 1942, as the result of a bayonet wound accidentally received.

OPOTIKI NEWS, VOLUME V, ISSUE 439, 7 AUGUST 1942, PAGE 1