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From the Wiltshire Times on Saturday the 29th of May 1902

Thomas Hewlands, of Alderton, was admitted to the Malmesbury Cottage Hospital on Saturday suffering from injuries sustained owing to the accidental discharge of his gun.

He had been shooting pigeons and placed his gun down against a wall and by some unaccountable means it went off, the charge blowing off most of his right hand. He was at once taken to the Malmesbury Hospital where it was found necessary to take the remainder of the hand off at the wrist. Dr Pitt was the surgeon who conducted the operation.