30 January 1915 – Samuel William John Jones

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From the Wiltshire Times on Saturday the 30th of January 1915

Driver Samuel William John Jones, of the Ammunition Column, 3rd Wessex Brigade, stationed at Malmesbury, was thrown from his horse on Saturday afternoon and was so severely injured that death ensued at the Cottage Hospital on Sunday afternoon. An inquest was held before Mr. J. W. Pridham (deputy-coroner for North Wilts) at the Y.M.C.A rooms on Tuesday. Mr. H. Matthews was the foreman of the jury.

Jones’ horse fell and threw its rider, and he was dragged along the road for a considerable distance

Sergt. Major E. West and Bombardier H. J. Marvin gave evidence to the effect that deceased who was 27 years of age and belonged to Swindon, went out riding in company with others on Saturday. He and Marvin rode into a field at the Sherston Road, the rest of the Company proceeding towards Shipton Moyne. Marvin was thrown off his horse while in the field, and Jones rode after the animal, which had bolted. While in pursuit Jones’ horse fell and threw its rider, and he was dragged along the road for a considerable distance, when the stirrup-leather broke, releasing him.

Edgar Froude Farrow, Abbey Brewery House, spoke to seeing the two runaway riderless horses galloping towards Malmesbury. About fifty yards further on he saw Jones lying unconscious and bleeding on the roadside. Witness sent Mr. Eslip, of Sherston, who happened to be driving by, to the Workhouse Infirmary for a stretcher, and on that deceased was conveyed to the Infirmary.

A close-up of a sign reading "THE OLD BREWERY HOUSE" in bold, capital letters. The sign appears to be made of metal with a weathered texture and is mounted on a stone wall. There are cobwebs visible in the corners of the sign, adding to its aged appearance.
The sign for the Old Brewery House in Malmesbury. Friday the 16th of August 2024.

Dr. S. P Hosegood, Malmesbury, said Jones had evidently been dragged along the ground for he had a considerable number of lacerations and contusions on his head.

The jury’s verdict was that the death was due to misadventure. The Deputy Coroner expressed sympathy with the deceased’s widow and two children, who live at 43, Clifton Street, Swindon.

Captain Forrester, the officer commanding the Column, stated at the close of the inquest that Jones was an excellent rider. The horse he rode was not fresh but was one that had been with them since the Column was mobilised and was exceptionally quiet. Captain Forrester expressed the sympathy of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of the Column, with the widow.

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