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| Colonel Whitmore's Headstone in Soldiers Area Photo: Kath Kingswood |
On the 13th of May 1920, 25 year old Colonel Whitmore of Hastings entered Hazard's rifle range. Attendant George Billing took down a self-loading Colt, and, as it was never kept loaded, put six shots into the chambers. While he was loading the pistol Whitmore put a pound note on the counter. George handed the pistol over, remarking that it was loaded, then turned to pick up his margin-book. When he turned around again Whitmore’s back was turned to him and the next moment he heard a shot and Whitmore fell without a word. He found Colonel Whitmore with a wound in the abdomen and an ambulance was called for.
There was nothing in Whitmore’s demeanour to suggest he was either drunk or suicidal and when asked on the way to hospital whether the wound was accidental Whitmore replied “Yes”. George Billing was of the opinion that Whitmore might either have bumped his arm against the partition of one of the targets or have caught his elbow on the edge of the target counter and thus bringing the muzzle round so as to point at his body.
The Coroner returned a verdict of death following upon the deceased accidentally shooting himself in the abdomen.
Plot 21: Colonel Whitmore
1st
N.Z.E.F.
28/830
Rfm
C. WHITMORE
Rifle Brigade
died (N.Z.) aged
13.8.1920 25 yrs
Presented by Geri Eccles - Discover Waikumete
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