"HE HELD THE TORCH, OUR LOVING SON, THEN GOD TO PEACE HIS SOUL WITHDREW"
Brother: Sgt. Samuel Lewis Wright, 423 Squadron R.C.A.F.
Court report:
B/46561 L/Cpl Martin, L.D.J. having been duly sworn states:
I am a member of the Scout Platoon of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada. On 22 Sep 44, in the field, at about 1200 hrs, I was standing at the back of our platoon truck which was parked sideways beside the wall of a house. I walked around the corner of the truck, between it and the wall. I was playing with a pistol, which I though was set on safety, when Pte. Wright cam around the front end of the truck. When he was about six feet from me the pistol fired, the bullet struck the wall beside Wright and ricochetted, hitting him.
"What were you doing with the pistol?"
"It was a matter of horseplay between Pte. Wright and myself. I went between the truck and the wall with the pistol in my hand. Wright came around the other end and had his pistol in his hand. He said to me: 'I have you covered' or words to that effect."
"Did you aim it at Pte. Wright?"
"No Sir. It was aimed to the right of Pte. Wright."
"Were you accustomed to playing games like this?"
"Yes Sir. We did it quite often."
In my opinion both B/46600, Pte. Wright, G.J. and B/46561, Pte. Martin, L.D.J., were negligent in that they were playing with loaded fire arms. Also in my opinion, the shot that was fired accidentally was not fired with any malice or anger. B/46600 Pte. Wright, G.J. was on duty. Pte. Martin, L.D.J. has been tried by FGCM on a charge of manslaughter and found NOT guilty. Pte. Wright was NOT guilty of improper conduct.
Lt. Col. J.D. Stewart.
