Sarah
Hawkins Genealogy Site
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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 06 May 1923
Page 1 Column 5
DISTRESSING AFFAIR AT NORTH CURRY.
ALLEGED POACHER INTERCEPTED BY EMPLOYER.
KILLED BY ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE OF A GUN.
PAINFUL SUNDAY EVENING INCIDENT
Quite a sensation was caused in North Curry and district on Sunday evening, when the news quickly spread that a shooting affair had occurred at Lillesdon Court Farm, in which one of the employees had been mortally wounded. It appears that in the early evening, between five and six o'clock, Mr. Bernard S. HEBDITCH, the occupier of Lillesdon Court Farm, went with his brother, Mr. Harold B. HEBDITCH, for a stroll over the farm. On reaching a field known as Clavlands, they heard the report of a gun, and almost immediately saw two men in an adjoining field.
Mr. Bernard HEBDITCH left the field in which his brother and himself were walking, and went across the lane close by with the view of intercepting the men. He then found they were employees of his. One of them, Albert MILLER, was in possession of a gun, and on searching him Mr. HEBDITCH also made an attempt to take the gun from the man, and in doing so, it was accidentally discharged. The charge entered MILLER's neck and he immediately dropped tot he ground and expired.
Mr. HEBDITCH immediately summoned Dr. SATCHWELL and also reported the incident to Police-Sergt. GREGORY. On arrival, Dr. SATCHWELL could only pronounce life extinct and the body was removed to the deceased's father's house to await the inquest.
MILLER, who was a single man, aged 21 years, was the son of Mr. Thomas MILLER, of Lillesdon Green, with whom and Mr. HEBDITCH the deepest sympathy is felt.
The inquest will be held at Lillesdon Court Farm this afternoon (Wednesday), at 3.30.