Bayonets were then fixed, he continued, and about ten others surrounded Tinkler, Sharples, Stott and Chadwick. After sometime Tinkler was disarmed by a marine, who jumped on his back and knocked his pistol to the ground. Tinkler tried to grab it but several of the Japanese commenced to beat him with their rifles and he was hit both with bayonets and the rifle butts. I saw him on the ground. once and the Japanese still appeatied to be beating him. He then got, to his feet and Sharples and Chadwick rushed in amongst the Japanese trying to push them on one side," witness stated.
"A few seconds later I saw Tinkler being dragged out by a crowd of Japanese and he appeared to be bleeding badly—his shirt was covered in blood at the time. Chadwick shouted for three of us to go and help him and three people made an attempt to go but were ordered to stop by the Japanese. Tinkler was dragged along ihe ground for about 30 yards towards the back of the mill. Sharples and Chadwick followed behind. The nex time I saw Tinkler he was walking.
The Coroner—You are quite certain that he pointed his gun at the ground?
Witness—I'm positive, sir. He did not point the gun at anybody. Two marines were close to him and the next one was about ten yards away.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.