The Death of Lawrence

May 11th 1926

Lawrence Henry

FATALITY AT BREE LONG

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Lad Accidentally Shot Dead

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The glaring uncertainty of life continues to manifest itself daily. Whether on a mission of business or pleasure the end frequently comes suddenly – often under circumstances punctuated with sadness and response to the family concerned.

An instance of this uncertainty occurred at Breelong, near Gilgandra, on Monday afternoon, when a bright, promising lad, named Lawence Campbell Riley, aged 17 years and 4 months, was accidentally shot dead, within a mile from the residence of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Riley.

The circumstances surrounding the fatality are as follows. Between 2 and 3 o’clock on Monday afternoon the lad set out from home in pursuit of rabbits, carrying a rifle, and accompanied by a dog. Within a mile from the residence he pulled up at a camp occupied by Mrs. Sibley, where his dog engaged in a fight with a canine belonging to the latter. In his efforts to separate the dogs, the lad, finding persuasion ineffective, brought the stock of the loaded rifle into use. Almost immediately there was a report, and Mrs. Sibley heard the lad remark: “I’m shot; go and tell Mum.” The poor lad was in great pain, and holding his stomach with both hands, fell to the ground. The father was promptly appraised of the happening, and hastening to the help of his son found that death had already ensued. In the meantime, Dr. Campling, of Gilgandra, was sent for, and body conveyed in Mr. McDermott’s car to the hospital, where it was found that the charge had entered the lower abdomen with fatal results.

On Wednesday, the coroner (Mr. E. Townsend) conducted an inquiry at the Court House, and after hearing evidence of the father, Dr. Campling, and Mrs. Sibley, returned a verdict to the effect that the lad met his death as a result of a gun-shot wound, accidentally inflicted by himself.

The remains were laid to rest ….. the Catholic cemetary, Rev. ……..Parker officiating.

Mr. A. H. Ross had charge ……. funeral arrangements.