Before Mr. 1. 7. Morris, Coroner (Sulelde whilst temporarily sane)
Shanghai, Aug. 20.
description of how a British soldier could have Killed himself by inserting a cartridge in the breach of rifle which was locked in a rack with nineteen others, and by bending his face over the muzzle as he pulled the trigger, was given at HM. Court yesterday morning during an inquest conducted by Mr. 1. T. Morris, Coroner, on Lance-Corporal Albert ward Blacker, aged 21, of the 1st. Bat: talion Seaforth Highlanders, who was found fatally wounded at the British Military Police Barracks in Mohawk Road, where he was attached, August 14.
'A. verdict that Blacker committed suicide by shooting himself while temporarily insane was returned.
The first witness called, Captain Ernest, Albert Smyth of the Royal Army Medical Corps, stationed at the British Military Hospital, said that he was called to the Military Police Barracks on Mohawk Road at 10 a on August 14. He examined Blacker and found that he had suffered 2 lacerated wound to the brain. A death certifeate was issued, James Henry Gray, a Lance-Corporal of the Garrison Military Police, said that on "August 13 he was the N.CO. on duty at the Military Police Barracks. At 11.30 pam, the deceased marked in from pass and then left the office, to which he returned at 1225 aim. when he asked if he could borrow the ink. He then sat down {for about five or ten minutes weitité a letter, Blacker then went to his box and took his bayonet from its scabbard and placed it on the box.
1 am, witness left the office, and fon reaching the top of the stairs his return, heard a shot, "Running into the office he discovered Blacker lying face upwards on the Boor neat
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.